Need some advice

[o2k]

Hi everyone. It was my birthday yesterday so I bought a 2000 Trans Am last night and had some bad luck already.. I'll probably get some shit for buy an ls1 but I got a good deal on it.. Infact, I bought it off of someone whos a member on here who owned a lightning up until a few days ago.

When I went to pick up the car last night the rear driver side tire was flat. Luckily the previous owner had included new tires for me to install. So I grabbed the wheel with the flat and one of the new tires and went to Tire Kingdom in Orange Park, FL. The old tire was getting flat due to a bad valve stem so I had them replace the valve stem when they were doing the tire.

We then installed the tire in the car and drove off.. I let my friend drive it while i drove my other car. Not more than 10 mins of driving I see hes got a flat and I flag him down as soon as possible. Basically the valve stem they put in was too long and hit the caliper and broke.

So, now I had a flat tire and part of the rim was damaged. I waited almost two hours for a tow truck and had it towed to the tire place that did the work, but they were already closed. I got up early morning and went to talk to the service manager.

The service manager says to me that it's not their fault that they put in a standard size valve stem and it hit the calipar.. and also that they didn't put on the tire, if they did, they would have noticed the stem hitting the caliper. They will fix the valve stem issue, but not the wheel damage. How was I supposed to bring him the car when I had a flat?

So what I can do? Am I out of luck? This car doesn't come with the stock wheels, but some boyd coddingtons. The valve sits further in than any car I've used in the past. Is the valve stem on the stock wheel short too or a standard size? (in case any one knows)

Thanks for any help in advance,

Al


Enjoy my misery.

Ignore the retarded tips.. I have to get new ones.

 

[black4vcobra]

Tough call. A repair shop can't possibly know what parts to use when a car is modified, but on the other hand they should have taken a look at the installed wheel to make sure there wasn't any rubbing/interference.

Luckily the damage doesn't look too bad, some sanding and refinishing will make the damage nearly undetectable. It looks like the wheels could use a good polish anyway.

 

[o2k]

I agree its hard when a car is modified.. But they asked what model and make of the car it was since I didn't take the car there..just wheel and tire. He knew it was an aftermarket wheel But they should have compared it again the old valve stem that was in there. I didn't even know there were different sizes with stems.. But they are supposed to be the specialists.. not me. there is a little bit of a bend to the lip.. I don't have an issue if its just a few scuffs... if they fix my tiny little bend I'm okay with it.

 

[raustin0017]

Congrats on the TA! Just take the loss and press on. Either get the wheel repaired or replace it. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

 

[o2k]

You're right.. I did just get this car and I should be excited! I was just so angry last night that I couldn't see it any other way..

 

[five.slow]

Those wheels are supposed to have flush mount valve stem looking things. I think you use an adapter. All the wheels on the cars my old man builds have those.

As far as the tire shop and wheel damage that's on you for not checking.

 

[oldmodman]

I don't understand what the valve stem is doing on the inside of the wheel in the first place?

 

[CobraBob]

I'm confused on that, too.

 

[SuperMarioSVT]

Why is the valve stem on the inside of the wheel?

 

[Phallen]

90 degree elbow bend valve stem?

 

[thomas91169]

If the shop did not physically mount the wheel to the car then its not their fault to check valve stem clearance clarance.

Chalk it up as a learning experience, ditch those ghey ass coddingtons and move on.