It started with a puncture...

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Couple of weeks ago, got a loud clicking noise just after leaving home.
Turned out to be a largish metal object in a rear tyre. Looked to be the
triangular blade from a paint stripping tool. Couldn't drive like that so
pulled it out. To the sound of air escaping. No spare on this car, so used
the sealer gunge in the toolkit, and the toolkit compressor. Which did
work - tyre held pressure. Instructions said not to exceed 50 mph and get
it fixed properly ASAP. So took it to KwikFit. They said a tyre with gunge
in it can't be fixed. Quoted a silly amount for a new tyre. Never used
sealer before, and Googling seemed to suggest it couldn't be fixed
afterwards.

Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.

MyTyres had a decent price. They give a list of local tyre places that
will fit them, and website said 'in stock' and 'fast delivery'. So bought
them and paid by CC. To be delivered to Earlsfield Tyres, the one I picked
from their list as being closest.

After a couple of days, checked their tracking. A problem of some sort -
as they should have been on their way by then. Problem I was told was
customs. So not in stock in the UK, and no clue as to when it would be
sorted.

So cancelled the order. Got notice of a refund.

Ordered up from the specialist who services the car. Bit more expensive
than mail order but much cheaper than KwikFit.

Just had an email from MyTyres saying they were delivered yesterday to a
neighbour. At 0830 when I was in.

Thinking they had been delivered to Earlfield Tyres, I phoned them. Number
not recognised. I'll check later today if they are still in business.

How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

[Theo]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

The mobile tyre fitters have got pretty good lately. The original chain was
Etyres, but now Tyre-Shopper (National autocentres), Tyres on the Drive
(Halfords) and some others are active, as well as local ones.

It's slightly more expensive than ordering to a tyre centre, but they come
out to you so much less time consuming - no hanging around a draughty
inconveniently-located garage waiting for them to do it. And you get to
select from a good range of tyres, not just whatever your local place has in
stock if you turn up out of the blue.

Theo

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Theo

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

The mobile tyre fitters have got pretty good lately. The original chain
was Etyres, but now Tyre-Shopper (National autocentres), Tyres on the
Drive (Halfords) and some others are active, as well as local ones.
It's slightly more expensive than ordering to a tyre centre, but they
come out to you so much less time consuming - no hanging around a
draughty inconveniently-located garage waiting for them to do it. And
you get to select from a good range of tyres, not just whatever your
local place has in stock if you turn up out of the blue.

Not looking for a range of choices. Just the best value for the type/make
I wanted.

[Theo]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Theo
It's slightly more expensive than ordering to a tyre centre, but they
come out to you so much less time consuming - no hanging around a
draughty inconveniently-located garage waiting for them to do it. And
you get to select from a good range of tyres, not just whatever your
local place has in stock if you turn up out of the blue.

Not looking for a range of choices. Just the best value for the type/make
I wanted.

Doesn't everyone want that?

IMX if you go to a local tyre place they have a very limited selection in
any given size - when I've done this it's typically budget tyres only.
Which might be fine if you need to get back on the road asap, but you might
wish to spend a bit more to get a tyre that's not graded F/F for grip and
fuel efficiency.

The mobile tyre fitters are handy if you can get it home and then wait until
they come out. Less good if you need it on the road today.

Theo

[RJH]

Post by Theo

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Theo
It's slightly more expensive than ordering to a tyre centre, but they
come out to you so much less time consuming - no hanging around a
draughty inconveniently-located garage waiting for them to do it. And
you get to select from a good range of tyres, not just whatever your
local place has in stock if you turn up out of the blue.

Not looking for a range of choices. Just the best value for the type/make
I wanted.

Doesn't everyone want that?
IMX if you go to a local tyre place they have a very limited selection in
any given size - when I've done this it's typically budget tyres only.
Which might be fine if you need to get back on the road asap, but you might
wish to spend a bit more to get a tyre that's not graded F/F for grip and
fuel efficiency.

I've found my local independent will supply and fit anything - well, anything
their supplier can get hold of. I got some quite unusual all season tyres last
time - worked about about £10 a tyre more but worth it to me for the
convenience/supporting small business etc.

[Theo]

Post by RJH
I've found my local independent will supply and fit anything - well, anything
their supplier can get hold of. I got some quite unusual all season tyres last
time - worked about about £10 a tyre more but worth it to me for the
convenience/supporting small business etc.

What do they keep in stock? They can no doubt order things in, but if you
turn up with a puncture you're stuck with what they have there and then
(unless you can leave the car with them)

My former local one could source, but they seemed to operate entirely by
phone. So you could go in, they had just the budget on the shelf, and then
you had to ask them to talk you down the list of what they could get, and
then what the price was and when they could get it, which they might not
know and would have to ring up their supplier, etc. It was very painful
unless you knew exactly what you wanted, and it was much easier to go
somewhere with a website where you could see all that at a glance.

Theo

[RJH]

Post by Theo

Post by RJH
I've found my local independent will supply and fit anything - well, anything
their supplier can get hold of. I got some quite unusual all season tyres last
time - worked about about £10 a tyre more but worth it to me for the
convenience/supporting small business etc.

What do they keep in stock? They can no doubt order things in, but if you
turn up with a puncture you're stuck with what they have there and then
(unless you can leave the car with them)
My former local one could source, but they seemed to operate entirely by
phone. So you could go in, they had just the budget on the shelf, and then
you had to ask them to talk you down the list of what they could get, and
then what the price was and when they could get it, which they might not
know and would have to ring up their supplier, etc. It was very painful
unless you knew exactly what you wanted, and it was much easier to go
somewhere with a website where you could see all that at a glance.
Theo

They keep what looks like very low stock. I just went in and asked for a
particular tyre I'd chosen from reviews, and asked for their best price. A few
minutes on the phone, price confirmed (I couldn't be bothered to haggle - as I
say, about £40 more than the best internet price), and took a day or so to
supply. Not a problem for me as I don't rely on a car for commuting etc.

I do trust them - the MOT had failed a tyre as unrepairable some years back. I
took it to them to replace and it was simply a stone stuck in the tread -
removed FOC. So for things like that and balancing, cleaning the rims I'd much
rather use them anyway, and pay the extra.

[Roger Mills]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Couple of weeks ago, got a loud clicking noise just after leaving home.
Turned out to be a largish metal object in a rear tyre. Looked to be the
triangular blade from a paint stripping tool. Couldn't drive like that so
pulled it out. To the sound of air escaping. No spare on this car, so used
the sealer gunge in the toolkit, and the toolkit compressor. Which did
work - tyre held pressure. Instructions said not to exceed 50 mph and get
it fixed properly ASAP. So took it to KwikFit. They said a tyre with gunge
in it can't be fixed. Quoted a silly amount for a new tyre. Never used
sealer before, and Googling seemed to suggest it couldn't be fixed
afterwards.
Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.
MyTyres had a decent price. They give a list of local tyre places that
will fit them, and website said 'in stock' and 'fast delivery'. So bought
them and paid by CC. To be delivered to Earlsfield Tyres, the one I picked
from their list as being closest.
After a couple of days, checked their tracking. A problem of some sort -
as they should have been on their way by then. Problem I was told was
customs. So not in stock in the UK, and no clue as to when it would be
sorted.
So cancelled the order. Got notice of a refund.
Ordered up from the specialist who services the car. Bit more expensive
than mail order but much cheaper than KwikFit.
Just had an email from MyTyres saying they were delivered yesterday to a
neighbour. At 0830 when I was in.
Thinking they had been delivered to Earlfield Tyres, I phoned them. Number
not recognised. I'll check later today if they are still in business.
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

I usually use Black Circles, and get them to send the tyres to a local
tyre depot. Their prices are reasonable and their service is good. Last
time I needed a tyre I checked the price at my local depot and found it
was a few quid dearer than Black Circles. I persuaded them to supply the
tyre, but at Black Circles price, on the basis that they would still
make more on it than simply getting Black Circles' fitting fee.

I have heard claims that this sealing gunge can be removed allowing the
tyre to be repaired in the usual way if it would ordinarily have been
repairable, but I'm far from convinced. Far more likely that every
puncture results in having to buy a new tyre. Why the hell has everyone
given up on spare wheels? Most new cars don't even have room for a
spacesaver - let alone any tools!

[RJH]

Post by Roger Mills

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Couple of weeks ago, got a loud clicking noise just after leaving home.
Turned out to be a largish metal object in a rear tyre. Looked to be the
triangular blade from a paint stripping tool. Couldn't drive like that so
pulled it out. To the sound of air escaping. No spare on this car, so used
the sealer gunge in the toolkit, and the toolkit compressor. Which did
work - tyre held pressure. Instructions said not to exceed 50 mph and get
it fixed properly ASAP. So took it to KwikFit. They said a tyre with gunge
in it can't be fixed. Quoted a silly amount for a new tyre. Never used
sealer before, and Googling seemed to suggest it couldn't be fixed
afterwards.
Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.
MyTyres had a decent price. They give a list of local tyre places that
will fit them, and website said 'in stock' and 'fast delivery'. So bought
them and paid by CC. To be delivered to Earlsfield Tyres, the one I picked
from their list as being closest.
After a couple of days, checked their tracking. A problem of some sort -
as they should have been on their way by then. Problem I was told was
customs. So not in stock in the UK, and no clue as to when it would be
sorted.
So cancelled the order. Got notice of a refund.
Ordered up from the specialist who services the car. Bit more expensive
than mail order but much cheaper than KwikFit.
Just had an email from MyTyres saying they were delivered yesterday to a
neighbour. At 0830 when I was in.
Thinking they had been delivered to Earlfield Tyres, I phoned them. Number
not recognised. I'll check later today if they are still in business.
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

I usually use Black Circles, and get them to send the tyres to a local
tyre depot. Their prices are reasonable and their service is good. Last
time I needed a tyre I checked the price at my local depot and found it
was a few quid dearer than Black Circles. I persuaded them to supply the
tyre, but at Black Circles price, on the basis that they would still
make more on it than simply getting Black Circles' fitting fee.
I have heard claims that this sealing gunge can be removed allowing the
tyre to be repaired in the usual way if it would ordinarily have been
repairable, but I'm far from convinced. Far more likely that every
puncture results in having to buy a new tyre. Why the hell has everyone
given up on spare wheels? Most new cars don't even have room for a
spacesaver - let alone any tools!

It is nuts - my current car doesn't have a spare, just gunge.

I suppose it's partly down to very rare catastrophic punctures nowadays,
combined with the weight and cost savings.

I was wondering whether it'd be worth phoning the breakdown people I'm with in
the event of a puncture - do they carry emergency spare wheels?

[Abandoned_Trolley]

Post by RJH
I was wondering whether it'd be worth phoning the breakdown people I'm with in
the event of a puncture - do they carry emergency spare wheels?

Even before the advent of the "gunge" I believe a good percentage of
call outs to breakdown services were for changing of wheels anyway -
although I dare say that some of that was due to excessive torque used
on the wheel nuts.

Either way, I am sure the breakdown services are used to it.

[Peter Hill]

Post by Abandoned_Trolley

Post by RJH
I was wondering whether it'd be worth phoning the breakdown people I'm with in
the event of a puncture - do they carry emergency spare wheels?

Even before the advent of the "gunge" I believe a good percentage of
call outs to breakdown services were for changing of wheels anyway -
although I dare say that some of that was due to excessive torque used
on the wheel nuts.
Either way, I am sure the breakdown services are used to it.

A quick google finds that The AA and RAC both have 5 stud "universal"
17" spares. RAC say they are developing a universal spare for smaller 4
stud cars. They fit them, you drive on and get your tyre fixed/replaced
and leave the universal spare for collection from the tyre depot.

But before fitting any spare they will try a roadside repair by plugging
the hole. I would expect that using gunge may stop that working.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/rac-news/how-the-rac-universal-spare-wheel-fixes-no-spare-breakdowns/

[Biggles]

On 01/10/2021 11:19, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:> Couple of weeks ago, got a loud clicking noise just after leaving home.> Turned out to be a largish metal object in a rear tyre. Looked to be the> triangular blade from a paint stripping tool. Couldn't drive like that so> pulled it out. To the sound of air escaping. No spare on this car, so used> the sealer gunge in the toolkit, and the toolkit compressor. Which did> work - tyre held pressure. Instructions said not to exceed 50 mph and get> it fixed properly ASAP. So took it to KwikFit. They said a tyre with gunge> in it can't be fixed. Quoted a silly amount for a new tyre. Never used> sealer before, and Googling seemed to suggest it couldn't be fixed> afterwards.> > Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this> before.> > MyTyres had a decent price. They give a list of local tyre places that> will fit them, and website said 'in stock' and 'fast delivery'. So bought> them and paid by CC. To be delivered to Earlsfield Tyres, the one I picked> from their list as being closest.> > After a couple of days, checked their tracking. A problem of some sort -> as they should have been on their way by then. Problem I was told was> customs. So not in stock in the UK, and no clue as to when it would be> sorted.> > So cancelled the order. Got notice of a refund.> > Ordered up from the specialist who services the car. Bit more expensive> than mail order but much cheaper than KwikFit.> > Just had an email from MyTyres saying they were delivered yesterday to a> neighbour. At 0830 when I was in.> > Thinking they had been delivered to Earlfield Tyres, I phoned them. Number> not recognised. I'll check later today if they are still in business.> > How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?> I usually use Black Circles, and get them to send the tyres to a local tyre depot. Their prices are reasonable and their service is good. Last time I needed a tyre I checked the price at my local depot and found it was a few quid dearer than Black Circles. I persuaded them to supply the tyre, but at Black Circles price, on the basis that they would still make more on it than simply getting Black Circles' fitting fee.I have heard claims that this sealing gunge can be removed allowing the tyre to be repaired in the usual way if it would ordinarily have been repairable, but I'm far from convinced. Far more likely that every puncture results in having to buy a new tyre. Why the hell has everyone given up on spare wheels? Most new cars don't even have room for a spacesaver - let alone any tools!-- Cheers,Roger

Everyone hasn't given up (yet). My new car has a full size spare.
I particularly wanted one because of towing a caravan, didn't
fancy a space saver or relying on a gunge repair with 1.5 tons of
caravan on the back.
Space is another issue - because modern cars tend to have wide
wheels, they take up a lot of potential boot space.
--
Biggles
--
Biggles

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Couple of weeks ago, got a loud clicking noise just after leaving home.
Turned out to be a largish metal object in a rear tyre. Looked to be the
triangular blade from a paint stripping tool. Couldn't drive like that
so pulled it out. To the sound of air escaping. No spare on this car, so
used the sealer gunge in the toolkit, and the toolkit compressor. Which
did work - tyre held pressure. Instructions said not to exceed 50 mph
and get it fixed properly ASAP. So took it to KwikFit. They said a tyre
with gunge in it can't be fixed. Quoted a silly amount for a new tyre.
Never used sealer before, and Googling seemed to suggest it couldn't be
fixed afterwards.
Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.
MyTyres had a decent price. They give a list of local tyre places that
will fit them, and website said 'in stock' and 'fast delivery'. So
bought them and paid by CC. To be delivered to Earlsfield Tyres, the one
I picked from their list as being closest.
After a couple of days, checked their tracking. A problem of some sort -
as they should have been on their way by then. Problem I was told was
customs. So not in stock in the UK, and no clue as to when it would be
sorted.
So cancelled the order. Got notice of a refund.
Ordered up from the specialist who services the car. Bit more expensive
than mail order but much cheaper than KwikFit.
Just had an email from MyTyres saying they were delivered yesterday to a
neighbour. At 0830 when I was in.
Thinking they had been delivered to Earlfield Tyres, I phoned them.
Number not recognised. I'll check later today if they are still in
business.
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

Just an update. Won't be using my specialist again. The price they quoted
by phone for a pair of tyres was somewhere between the KwikFit price and
mail order (including fitting). So told them to go ahead. On picking the
car up, seems the price they quoted was ex VAT. So some 50 quid more than
KwikFit to me.

I suppose if it were some posh main dealer used to dealing with business
owners, an ex VAT figure might be the norm. But this is a railway arches
repair shop that doesn't even have a reception.

[Abandoned_Trolley]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.

I suppose if it were some posh main dealer used to dealing with business
owners, an ex VAT figure might be the norm. But this is a railway arches
repair shop that doesn't even have a reception.

Changing the subject (just a bit)... it might be worth considering how
much cost and inconvenience is involved in chucking out the space saver
(for those blessed with them) and leaving a full sized wheel in its place.

I have a Ford Focus, and some time ago I clipped one of the rims quite
badly, but not enough for it to deflate the tyre. Looking round on eBay
for a replacement I found a pair of identical wheels for sale, both with
usable tyres on them. I scrapped the damaged rim but managed to salvage
the tyre.

Now the spare sits in the same well as the space saver, and the end
result is just a bit of a lump in the carpet of the boot - and if I ever
get a puncture then I have the option to change the wheel and sort out a
gunge free repair.


Also, I am able to indulge in the age old habit of tyre rotation if I am
in the mood

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Abandoned_Trolley

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Decided to go mail order for the best new tyre price. Never done this
before.

I suppose if it were some posh main dealer used to dealing with business
owners, an ex VAT figure might be the norm. But this is a railway arches
repair shop that doesn't even have a reception.

Changing the subject (just a bit)... it might be worth considering how
much cost and inconvenience is involved in chucking out the space saver
(for those blessed with them) and leaving a full sized wheel in its place.

Not really an option on my car. It has different size tyres back and
front. And they are enormous. And neither will fit in the boot - in the
space originally provided for a space saver. Which they no longer supply.
It would also about half the usable boot space which is only just about
adequate at the moment.

Post by Abandoned_Trolley
I have a Ford Focus, and some time ago I clipped one of the rims quite
badly, but not enough for it to deflate the tyre. Looking round on eBay
for a replacement I found a pair of identical wheels for sale, both with
usable tyres on them. I scrapped the damaged rim but managed to salvage
the tyre.
Now the spare sits in the same well as the space saver, and the end
result is just a bit of a lump in the carpet of the boot - and if I ever
get a puncture then I have the option to change the wheel and sort out a
gunge free repair.

I should have left the car where the puncture happened which was quite
close to home. Walked back and got a jack and removed the wheel and then
take it to a repair place. But I wasn't sure such a large cut in the tread
could be fixed anyway - even although the leak probably could have been.

Post by Abandoned_Trolley
Also, I am able to indulge in the age old habit of tyre rotation if I am
in the mood

[Adrian Caspersz]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
How hard can it be to replace a pair of rear tyres?

You need these :)

https://www.michelin.com/en/innovation/vision-concept/airless/


WORLD FIRST - Airless Car Tire! Michelin Reinvents The Wheel