Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[MONTBREHAIN]

Today I took 2 tyres (second hand 17 inch cross plys) 2 new tubes and 2 wheels to a tyre fitting place I have always used. I wanted the 2 tyres fitted on the wheels which was done . Expecting the usual £5 a tyre . I was a bit miffed to be told it was £20 (for 10 minutes work). Funny thing is I drive by 2 other tyre fitters to get to the one I used (note USED). Am I being tight or do you think £10 to fit a tyre (no puncture mended) is ok ? "MO"
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A vehicle can be restored at any time, But is original only once !

[Rick]

Were they balanced? if not it sounds a bit on the steep side, although it's been a while since I last had any fitted up.

RJ
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[Riley Blue]

It was a fiver seven years ago. A tenner a tyre, especially if there's a tube involved, doesn't seem too bad. Were old tyres taken and disposed of? That costs these days. Were the wheels balanced? That costs too.

[ukdave2002]

Most tyre fitters wont (on the books) fit stuff they don't supply, as they have a liability for any work undertaken. £10 a tyre doesn't sound unreasonable.

Cross plys are quite easy to fit, why did you take them to a fitter? was it for the balance?

Dave

[ChrisD]

I recommend a manual tyre changer for steel wheels. Less than 60 quid on Amazon. I've changed dozens on various cars I own, including ones with inner tubes. You will need a solid base to mount it on.

Admittedly you cannot balance the wheels, but I have to say I've not had any problems in that regard.

My local town tip now accepts car tyres when you need to dispose of them. There is a limit of two at any one time though.

[Roger-hatchy]

Cheap

I had two 12x145 tubeless fitted to a pair of alloy wheels for my trailer in 2010, I supplied the tyres, cost me £45. I didn't have a compressor at the time so didn't think I could seal the tyres to the rim.

PS I had to dispose of the old tyres, gave them to a mate who skipped them with others at his place of work, all above board BTW.

[clan chieftain]

£20 for 2 tyres isnt too bad.
A puncture repair is about £15 depending on where you go. I had a slow puncture on the Alto but the tyre was half worn so I just bought a budget tyre for £32.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Mog]

I paid $50 for 2 puncture repairs ,no balance, here in Aus. about 12 months ago.

[MONTBREHAIN]

Ah well it seems general concensus is that I am being tight LOL. No there were no tyres for them to get rid of and the wheels could not be balanced by the modern balencer (bring back the old fashioned one with the level bubbly in the centre eh ?) Sign of the times and the cost of everything rising in price I suppose...... "MO"
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A vehicle can be restored at any time, But is original only once !

[D4B]

I paid £25 to have one used tyre fitted and balanced,
suppose that's the south for you...........

[peter scott]

The only tricky bit about DIY tyre changing is unsticking the beads. I just put the wheel flat on the ground and run over the tyre with my modern. You need to turn the wheel around a few times to run over different sectors but they always pop off.

Tyre fitting bays will supply you with weights and you can statically balance the wheels on your front hubs. Seemple!

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[ChrisD]

Yes I agree Peter,

The manual changer does do it, but I find I need an extra piece of wood to spread the load and pop the bead.

Getting the beads to seat on tubeless tyres is fun too without a compressor - I use propane gas! See various Youtube demonstrations for similar methods.
Not for those of a nervous disposition!

One thing is clear, tyres can be a very expensive chore on cars. As with most things though, it can be done cheaply if you put your mind to it. Part worn tyres cost peanuts and unless you have a performance car I see no problem with them.

Good idea for the balancing btw.

[peter scott]

Hi Chris,

Most of my tyre changing is on wires so tubed but if faced with a tubeless I just keep bouncing it off the ground whilst rotating it and the beads find their way onto the rims.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[baconsdozen]

When changing tubeless tyres I use a heavy rope and a big bar (jemmy).Put the rope on the outside of the tyre,tie the ends and use tha bar to tighten it. (Couldn't remember how to spell torniket).

[gresham flyer]

Even if you base a labour cost on a minimum of £20.00 an hour.

From the time you set foot into the tyre fitters workshop until the moment you leave is the time that is spent with your job. He cannot deal with anything else whilst dealing with you.

So ten minutes is not right surely.?Even a formula one team would need longer to fit the tyres.

What you need in your town are some young Polish lads to set up in business.

I took my Morris Minor wheels......
They removed the five tyres and inner tubes very carefully..
I took the wheels away and prepared and spray painted them.
I returned with the as new wheels.
They supplied one new tyre,and two as new tyres (supposedly good used tyres from Germany and Austria) on the wheels.
Then fitted two tyres I supplied.
They carefully balanced them so the weights did not look out of place on the brand new rims.
Not a mark was made on the freshly painted wheels.

They even carried them to the van.

Total cost £40.00 cash.

Another example from a local Polish owned bodyshop..... prepare and respray the roof of a car (sunbeam rapier) and supply the 2 pack paint...better than new finish....total cost £180.00

We knock all these guys coming over to our country,but they do a better job and cheaper than the local lads I grew up with and try and give work too.

Gresham Flyer