skassamali

So I kept hearing what sounded like small rocks coming loose from between my tire treads and didn't think anything of the noise. I felt vibrations in the steering wheel at highway speeds for the 2nd time in a couple of weeks. Took the car back to Discount Tire, and turns out the noise I'd been hearing was the wheel weights coming off the wheel, causing the tires to get out of balance! They used adhesive weights this time so I shouldn't have any issues going forward, but I've never experienced anything like this before!

jimbosr1

i bought my tires and wheels from discount tire and they have kids mounting and balancing there wheels.i had to have them balance my wheels 3 times before they got it right.i had the manager do it the 3rd time.

skassamali

Yea this time a senior level guy did the balancing. It took him 45 minutes!

jayclapp

I wouldn't let Discount Tire touch my car. Years ago they broke the centercap on my 1992 SC400, said they would replace it, and never did. I have no use for dealers like that.

skassamali

Wheels are out of balance again! I think I heard the weight fly off yesterday. Frustrated. Jayclapp: Where do you take your car for balancing? I just discovered that 2 wheels have 2 fake center caps too. The "L" fell off on one . The other one is about to go too. Not sure if I should get 2 new ones on these chrome wheels. Do the chrome wheels tend to last for a while (in terms of rust, air leak, etc)?

caddyowner

I believe you're OK if you stay away from salted winter roads.

Jabberwock

You could try Christian Brothers as I see you are in Texas. Stay away from the chain tire and battery stores. Ask them to make sure the wheels are totally clean before the weights are adhered. I think all Lexus wheels have plastic center caps.

skassamali

Turns out the weights came off again. They cleaned the wheels thoroughly this time, so let's see what happens this time.

jayclapp

I buy my Michelin Primacy's at Costco. They use nitrogen and I have them balance my tires every 5,000 miles. If the car is perfectly smooth afteward I just go back and have them rebalance the tires. No charge for this service. I know different sites might have some variation, but I'm very happy with my Costco store.

I have been very happy with my chrome wheels. No problem with my center caps either. Also, nitrogen really makes a difference. I never have to add air between wheel balance and rotation.

Jabberwock

I am loyal Costco tire person also. They seem to hve very well trained staff with minimal to no turnover at least in my location.

I agree that pure nitrogen is better. Its not so much the added nitrogen as ordinary air is already mostly (78%) nitrogen. I think it is primarily the elimination of oxygen (an powerful oxidizer) and elimination of the water vapor (in ordinary air) that helps tire pressure be more stable and tires last longer.

skassamali

Thanks for the input / advice.