So I get a flat on my left rear tire just before I garaged the Xfire last winter. Needed something quick and only Belle Tire had a PS2 in stock...$360 with install and balancing. Not the best deal but it had to be done.

After leaving I realize that they glued 1/4 oz of lead weight just inside one of the star spokes...it's actually quite noticeable off-angle.

This is my first performance car with tires as big as the Xfire has in the back...shouldn't they be able to balance these without gluing lead weights to the wheel? Hasn't this pretty much ruined the wheel now? (I can't imagine prying it off without their being some paint damage).

Can anyone with experience balancing performance wheels of this size & type (painted) give me some tips on what to tell them NOT to do when I get the other 3 replaced so I don't spend $800 plus to have them destroy my wheels and have it look like crap to boot?

 

I had almost the exact same thing happen to me. Same tire even, left rear. I got a new $400+ tire and a weight attached to the wheel. I wasn't all that concerned, but now that you mention it, I'm wondering what kind of mark would be left on the wheel if the weight was removed.

 

My biggest concern is I plan on keeping this over the long haul...what happens on the second tire replacement at 80k+. I'd be willing to pay the extra $$ to go to a different shop or even the dealer if they can balance without gluing ugly lead weights to these expensive rims.

 

Generally the performance tire is ballanced using lead strip weights that can easily be cut to length or weight and the product is not glued on. The weights have a tape backing just like a strip of duct tape has. To remove them you just peel them off. The centrifugal forces applied to the weights while in use will keep the weights on until the cows come home or until someone removes them.

 

wow they put them on the outside, mine are on the insode of the rim

This is my first performance car with tires as big as the Xfire has in the back...shouldn't they be able to balance these without gluing lead weights to the wheel? Hasn't this pretty much ruined the wheel now? (I can't imagine prying it off without their being some paint damage).