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Date:         Wed, 30 Aug 2000 06:21:27 -0400
Reply-To:     pokeswagon@BLAZENET.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "(Donna Cassano)" <pokeswagon@BLAZENET.NET>
Subject:      Tires properly mounted?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Well, since we're back on tires, I'll fill you in on the latest in my tire saga.

As some of you may recall, I had bought a set of Bridgestone Dueler AT's from Sears. I loved them until I drove on wet highway and was all over the road. The Rep and I spent hours (litterally) trying to find a suitably agressive replacement. I decided on the Goodrich AT/KO's, however he couldn't gaurantee that he could get them before my trip. He refunded all of my money and I got the Goodrich's from a local dealer. If anyone in the York, PA area needs tires and isn't afraid to deal with Sears, I would reccommend Rick at Sears. He was very patient and helpful and if you don't need an agressive tire I'm sure he can set you up.

Anyway, a couple of weeks after the local shop put the tires on I noticed something strange while checking tire pressure. These Goodrich tires have a reinforced bead on the inside edge and I noticed that on three of the tires this bead overhangs the rims by about 1/4". On one tire (and I later found out on the spare too) this bead is packed into the rim. I went back yesterday to ask them if this was a problem. The mechanic says, with no concern in his voice, that it looks like it's molded a little differently. I said, it sounds like a QC problem. He says they will pull it off and see if they can get it to sit like the others and if they can't do it that they would order me a new one. I requested that they also check the spare, as I have not looked at it. The van disappears into the garage and about 5 minutes later, the manager pulls my van around front and informs me that the mechanic who installed them 3 weeks ago noticed that and they are defective. He said "Don't worry, we'll get you two new tires, mount and balance them for no charge." !!!! Like he was doing me a big favor! If these tires are defective and they noticed it, why did they ever let me leave the shop the first time! Did they think I wouldn't notice until after the thing blew up? Were they trying to pull one over on me?

All of this did get me to thinking...Maybe the two with the bead seated in the rim are the correct ones. ? Maybe the three with the bead outside the rim are the bad ones. ? Can anyone with reinforced beads confirm this?

I can't believe this is happenning now. Only three business days before the big trip. Like I already don't have enough to do. I got time to spare to sit around in yet another tire shop. Hhmmmpphhhh......

Peace - donna '84 Westy (Pepe)


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