I had a set of O.Z. Ultraleggeras installed recently. Unfortunately, the rim and tire shop balanced them improperly--they say from the center cap, not from the 'hub' of the wheel.

I had my wheels re-balanced by them a few days later, and it was great. No more steering wheel shake. But, the scratched up all four rims.

The shop ordered a new set of rims, replaced what they'd damaged--and didn't balance them properly, once again. I'm going to have to go back, and make sure they use a manual torque wrench on my wheels, not the impact wrench they let spin all over my wheel, removing paint.

Because of my work schedule, I'm going to be booked solid for the next few days. I can't really even get the car to the shop until Monday.

How long can I drive on unbalanced wheels before it will damage something? Can I damage my suspension by driving on them?

 

you'll at least experience some vibration and maybe even some ill handling. I'm a tech and i have some customers that complain about a vibration and they're only 20 grams out of balance. I've also used over a 100 grams to balance one tire/rim. i'd get them balanced asap. You could also take a test drive slowly to see how bad it is.

 

Just had a question. The lugs for my new wheels haven't arrived yet and i want to get my tires put on the rims Saturday. Is it possible for them to wrap the rims with the tires and then i put them on at a later date?

 

If there's too much whell/tire shake, it can quickly wear our your front suspension bushings, so I wouldn't drive far, and only then if absolutely necessary. The bushings are very soft rubber, and once they start to wear out, can cause the whole front-end to vibrate violently when braking. FWIW.

 

I would make them pay for all damages, and take it elsewhere.. sounds like about the worst tire shop ever. They can use an impact if they use torque sticks to get the torque correct and it will not scratch the rims. But a manual torque wrench is the way to go. I would be willing to say they used nothing but the impact, and you lugs are most likely about 100 lbs over torqued.

The simple fact that they cant balance a wheel in one try, scratched your rims and then didnt balance the next set on the first try tells me they should never touch your car, or anyone elses again. Take it somewhere else and get it fixed asap.