Wheel & Tire Zone in Mississauga
09-Aug-2004, 01:18 PM
#1
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Wheel & Tire Zone in Mississauga
Well I just got back from my second visit in a week to Wheel and Tire Zone on Eglington in Mississauga. Why twice in 2 weeks? Well I'll answer that question fully. Last Sunday I hit a curb and threw out my alignment. On Tuesday I brought the car in to WTZ and asked them to realign it and have a look to see if it anything was wrong. They returned the car to me promptly and I left a satisfied customer who was told that there was nothing wrong with his car. I was a happy camper.
On the way back to work I noticed that there was a slight noise that the car was producing in the front left, which is the wheel I hit, and the wheel i asked to be inspected. I posted on here and asked some people who were knowledgeable about cars and the general consensus was that the wheel bearing might be messed up. The noise kept on getting worse every time I drove the car.
On Wednesday I dropped in to 427 Auto Collision for them to check out the wheel bearing. I left my car there after work. On Friday, Joe at 427 called me up and told me car was ready. He told me everything that was wrong and warned me about a few things.
Here are the list of things wrong with my car as reported directly after going in for an alignment at Wheel and Tire Zone:
1. Lug nuts on front left wheel loose.
2. Front left wheel bent.
3. Bulge on tire, needs to be replaced.
So with these problems in mind I went back to WTZ at lunch to get them to clear up why they sent me on the way with an all clear when in fact if I could have lost a wheel on the highway.
The first, and most obvious response, was that the wheel was not removed for the alignment. While this is true for most, I had specifically asked that the wheel be checked out. Where would this information be recorded? That would be on the work order, from last Tuesday, that Andrew at the counter could not find today. The fact that there was something obviously wrong with the car before the alignment and that WTZ should have known that is corroborated by the spec sheet I was given which shows how badly the toe was off.
I further asked him why I was asked for the wheel lock key if the wheel was not going to be removed. He said it was "just in case". I suggested maybe it was just in case the car needed to be inspected because it was noticeably messed up and he assured me that the tech was able to fully inspect the car with the wheel on, without access to the work order or any other paperwork regarding my visit except for the receipt and the spec sheet which I brought with me, Andrew knew this. Yeah.
So now we've got two options. Either they did the work that I asked them to do and missed the fact that the wheel was bent, the tire was in need of replacement and then forgot to tighten the lug nuts. The other option is that they did nothing regarding checking the car out and just sent me on my way with a standard alignment.
Neither of these options is all that attractive to me and neither one justifies the $115 that it cost me for the alignment + the $93 spent at 427 auto to diagnose the problem. So I asked for my money back and Andrew pointed out that the alignment had been performed and that he didn't owe me anything regarding the blatantly unsafe car that he handed back to me.
I've learned a few lessons from this.
1. Don't trust anybody with your personal safety.
2. Don't go to Wheel and Tire Zone for anything except valve stem covers
3. Always pay for things on Visa, because then you can just cancel the payment when somebody rips you off.
I know that quite a few people here go to WTZ, I decided to go to them based on the recommendations of those on the boards, such as gatherer. I'm not suggesting that they can't do an alignment properly, nor that they were consciously trying to screw me out of money. I'm just sharing my story about how I was put in a very dangerous situation by a supposedly reputable business and how that company offered absolutely no compensation for this.
On the way back to work I noticed that there was a slight noise that the car was producing in the front left, which is the wheel I hit, and the wheel i asked to be inspected. I posted on here and asked some people who were knowledgeable about cars and the general consensus was that the wheel bearing might be messed up. The noise kept on getting worse every time I drove the car.
On Wednesday I dropped in to 427 Auto Collision for them to check out the wheel bearing. I left my car there after work. On Friday, Joe at 427 called me up and told me car was ready. He told me everything that was wrong and warned me about a few things.
Here are the list of things wrong with my car as reported directly after going in for an alignment at Wheel and Tire Zone:
1. Lug nuts on front left wheel loose.
2. Front left wheel bent.
3. Bulge on tire, needs to be replaced.
So with these problems in mind I went back to WTZ at lunch to get them to clear up why they sent me on the way with an all clear when in fact if I could have lost a wheel on the highway.
The first, and most obvious response, was that the wheel was not removed for the alignment. While this is true for most, I had specifically asked that the wheel be checked out. Where would this information be recorded? That would be on the work order, from last Tuesday, that Andrew at the counter could not find today. The fact that there was something obviously wrong with the car before the alignment and that WTZ should have known that is corroborated by the spec sheet I was given which shows how badly the toe was off.
I further asked him why I was asked for the wheel lock key if the wheel was not going to be removed. He said it was "just in case". I suggested maybe it was just in case the car needed to be inspected because it was noticeably messed up and he assured me that the tech was able to fully inspect the car with the wheel on, without access to the work order or any other paperwork regarding my visit except for the receipt and the spec sheet which I brought with me, Andrew knew this. Yeah.
So now we've got two options. Either they did the work that I asked them to do and missed the fact that the wheel was bent, the tire was in need of replacement and then forgot to tighten the lug nuts. The other option is that they did nothing regarding checking the car out and just sent me on my way with a standard alignment.
Neither of these options is all that attractive to me and neither one justifies the $115 that it cost me for the alignment + the $93 spent at 427 auto to diagnose the problem. So I asked for my money back and Andrew pointed out that the alignment had been performed and that he didn't owe me anything regarding the blatantly unsafe car that he handed back to me.
I've learned a few lessons from this.
1. Don't trust anybody with your personal safety.
2. Don't go to Wheel and Tire Zone for anything except valve stem covers
3. Always pay for things on Visa, because then you can just cancel the payment when somebody rips you off.
I know that quite a few people here go to WTZ, I decided to go to them based on the recommendations of those on the boards, such as gatherer. I'm not suggesting that they can't do an alignment properly, nor that they were consciously trying to screw me out of money. I'm just sharing my story about how I was put in a very dangerous situation by a supposedly reputable business and how that company offered absolutely no compensation for this.
09-Aug-2004, 03:03 PM
#3
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and I'd still recommend them....
I've forwarded your comments (not a link to this page but your actual comments) to WTZ for their side of the story... there is always 2 sides to every story... waiting to hear theirs
I've forwarded your comments (not a link to this page but your actual comments) to WTZ for their side of the story... there is always 2 sides to every story... waiting to hear theirs
09-Aug-2004, 03:13 PM
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Cool, I was going to send them the link myself when I got home, not bringing my workplace into this kind of thing. Whatever their side of the story is, keep in mind that Andrew at the desk could not produce the work order for me while I was standing there today at 12:15pm.
09-Aug-2004, 03:26 PM
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yeah for alignments (standard) there usually isn't a workorder ... they arn't a mechanics shop they are a wheel and tire place that happens to also do alignments....
09-Aug-2004, 03:44 PM
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No Andrew filled it out in front of me when I came in to have it done last Tuesday. Then it was nonexistant today.
09-Aug-2004, 03:45 PM
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Originally posted by kane2k
No Andrew filled it out in front of me when I came in to have it done last Tuesday. Then it was nonexistant today. It wasn't a standard alignment, I had hit a curb and asked to get it checked out for safety reasons.
No Andrew filled it out in front of me when I came in to have it done last Tuesday. Then it was nonexistant today. It wasn't a standard alignment, I had hit a curb and asked to get it checked out for safety reasons.
09-Aug-2004, 03:57 PM
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and did you say "I hit a curb and I'd like the alignment checked?"
or did you say:
" I hit a curb and I'd like the car checked for damage and an alignment?"
there is a difference if you ask for an alignment thats all your going to get. when the other shop said your lugs were loose what torque did they tighten them too? did they even use a torque wrench or just bust out the impact gun..? 85 ft/lbs of torque is what I use on my wheels and I know when I'm using my impact gun to remove them they come off as if they were never installed right in the first place 85 ft/lbs is all you need and I know WTZ commonly torques by torque wrench
or did you say:
" I hit a curb and I'd like the car checked for damage and an alignment?"
there is a difference if you ask for an alignment thats all your going to get. when the other shop said your lugs were loose what torque did they tighten them too? did they even use a torque wrench or just bust out the impact gun..? 85 ft/lbs of torque is what I use on my wheels and I know when I'm using my impact gun to remove them they come off as if they were never installed right in the first place 85 ft/lbs is all you need and I know WTZ commonly torques by torque wrench
09-Aug-2004, 04:25 PM
#9
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I said that I hit a curb and that the wheel was way out of whack and I needed everything checked out and mentioned safety.
Joe at 427 auto said that the lug nuts could be turned by hand by the time I got the car there, I'm not sure what that would show on a torque wrench but I know that my life was in danger on the highway.
I got hung up on the lugnuts too at first, seeing as I was really bent at being put into obvious danger, but let's also look at problems 2 & 3. If the wheel was bent and the tire was unsafely bulged, like mine is, don't you think a place called Wheel & Tire Zone might mention something to me before handing me the car back and saying that everything was OK?
Joe at 427 auto said that the lug nuts could be turned by hand by the time I got the car there, I'm not sure what that would show on a torque wrench but I know that my life was in danger on the highway.
I got hung up on the lugnuts too at first, seeing as I was really bent at being put into obvious danger, but let's also look at problems 2 & 3. If the wheel was bent and the tire was unsafely bulged, like mine is, don't you think a place called Wheel & Tire Zone might mention something to me before handing me the car back and saying that everything was OK?
09-Aug-2004, 05:11 PM
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maybe but I'm still waiting for an email from them...
10-Aug-2004, 02:13 PM
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Well I spoke to Wheel and tire zone
Basically from what they've said is during the alignment process the wheels never have to be removed. Also the Customer in question here did what I thought he did (according to wheel and tire zone) and that was 2 days after the curbing went in and said something along the lines of 2 days ago I hit a curb and need an alignment. Wheel and tire zone then charged for and performed an Alignment. the wheel was not removed and the wheel bearing and the wheel were not checked for any detailed damage. since this is not required to do an alignment. Also if Kane2k checks his bill he was never charged the .5 to 1 hour labour to fully check a car for damage from a curb accident, this is further proof of the wheel not being removed. Wheel and Tire zone highly recommend looking for the loose lug nuts at the person that last had the wheel off as it was not them.
Wheel and tire zone also confirms that they tighten lugs down using a torque wrench so as not to wreck any wheels or break any studs. the torque they apply should not be finger tight.
Short form:
Wheel and tire zone didn't check for damage and didn't charge for it either
Wheel and tire zone performed an alignment as part of this they checked ball joints and tie rod ends that would affect an alignment and those appeared in good condition. they do not continue with an alignment if during this free inspection the ball joints and tie rod ends are in bad shape they don't continue with the alignment.
Wheel and tire one did not remove the wheel that had the loose lug nuts.
If you have any questions Kane2k Pete at wheel and tire zone will be happy to speak to you.
Basically from what they've said is during the alignment process the wheels never have to be removed. Also the Customer in question here did what I thought he did (according to wheel and tire zone) and that was 2 days after the curbing went in and said something along the lines of 2 days ago I hit a curb and need an alignment. Wheel and tire zone then charged for and performed an Alignment. the wheel was not removed and the wheel bearing and the wheel were not checked for any detailed damage. since this is not required to do an alignment. Also if Kane2k checks his bill he was never charged the .5 to 1 hour labour to fully check a car for damage from a curb accident, this is further proof of the wheel not being removed. Wheel and Tire zone highly recommend looking for the loose lug nuts at the person that last had the wheel off as it was not them.
Wheel and tire zone also confirms that they tighten lugs down using a torque wrench so as not to wreck any wheels or break any studs. the torque they apply should not be finger tight.
Short form:
Wheel and tire zone didn't check for damage and didn't charge for it either
Wheel and tire zone performed an alignment as part of this they checked ball joints and tie rod ends that would affect an alignment and those appeared in good condition. they do not continue with an alignment if during this free inspection the ball joints and tie rod ends are in bad shape they don't continue with the alignment.
Wheel and tire one did not remove the wheel that had the loose lug nuts.
If you have any questions Kane2k Pete at wheel and tire zone will be happy to speak to you.
10-Aug-2004, 02:17 PM
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they are way too expensive for rims
10-Aug-2004, 02:33 PM
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has anyone seen wheel and tire zone torque down the lug nuts?
just wondering, because lots of places don't take the time, and will give you the speel that they do it to make you feel happy but most just slam them on with an impact gun not checking how tight they are
just wondering, because lots of places don't take the time, and will give you the speel that they do it to make you feel happy but most just slam them on with an impact gun not checking how tight they are
10-Aug-2004, 02:38 PM
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Originally posted by gatherer
Also the Customer in question here did what I thought he did (according to wheel and tire zone) and that was 2 days after the curbing went in and said something along the lines of 2 days ago I hit a curb and need an alignment.
Also the Customer in question here did what I thought he did (according to wheel and tire zone) and that was 2 days after the curbing went in and said something along the lines of 2 days ago I hit a curb and need an alignment.
Wow. They managed to completely recall my conversation with Andrew last Tuesday even though they had no record of it yesterday, i.e. couldn't find the work order. That's a really impressive bit of restored memory. The fact is that I specifically mentioned inspecting for safety when I handed over the keys. I'm under absolutely no illusion that they did anything resembling a saftety check of my car, but thank you for confirming that I didn't pay extra to have my life put in danger
Again, I was hung up on the lugnuts at first too but I realize that there is no way to prove anything except for my post in the Performance section titled "Help I messed up my car..." which was posted immediately after my drive back to work from WTZ and specifically mentions all the symptoms of having untightened lug nuts.
I'm guessing they had nothing to say about the cue ball sized bulge on the inside of the tire either, which I would assume that maybe they might have noticed while doing, ummm, anything in the vicinity of the underside of the car.
PM me a number for Pete please gatherer.
10-Aug-2004, 03:03 PM
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grrr you just said it was on the inside....
like I said the wheels were never removed!!! if the wheels are not removed there is no way of seeing the inside sidewall in which case they never would have (and neither would or or anyone else without removing the wheel) have seen the bulge in your tire.
PM sent
I will be there tonight anyways getting work done....
like I said the wheels were never removed!!! if the wheels are not removed there is no way of seeing the inside sidewall in which case they never would have (and neither would or or anyone else without removing the wheel) have seen the bulge in your tire.
PM sent
I will be there tonight anyways getting work done....
10-Aug-2004, 04:02 PM
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Jason do you work for them?!
You sound like their spokesperson or sumthin'
You sound like their spokesperson or sumthin'
10-Aug-2004, 04:13 PM
#17
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Originally posted by Cosmic Girl
Jason do you work for them?!
You sound like their spokesperson or sumthin'
Jason do you work for them?!
You sound like their spokesperson or sumthin'
10-Aug-2004, 04:19 PM
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Originally posted by gatherer
grrr you just said it was on the inside....
like I said the wheels were never removed!!! if the wheels are not removed there is no way of seeing the inside sidewall in which case they never would have (and neither would or or anyone else without removing the wheel) have seen the bulge in your tire.
PM sent
I will be there tonight anyways getting work done....
grrr you just said it was on the inside....
like I said the wheels were never removed!!! if the wheels are not removed there is no way of seeing the inside sidewall in which case they never would have (and neither would or or anyone else without removing the wheel) have seen the bulge in your tire.
PM sent
I will be there tonight anyways getting work done....
Apart from that, this very line of reasoning that you are presenting is exactly the problem that I have with the service that i received from WTZ. I brought in a car, specifically said that it was damaged in a curb accident, asked him to check it out to make sure it was safe and the car was returned to me with a bent wheel, massive tire bulge, and loose lugnuts. i.e not safe in any ****ing facet of anyone's imagination. End of ****ing story.
This is my problem. I could have died on the highway after leaving WTZ. Now if I had died, and there was an investigation into the crash, and the receipt for my alignment was in my glovebox, do you think the coroner's office would buy this absolute bull**** about them not removing the tire and them not having any small amount of responsibility for the condition in which my car was handed back to me AFTER I SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED SAFETY WHEN I HANDED IN THE KEYS?
10-Aug-2004, 04:20 PM
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Originally posted by 1niceSi
They sponsor him.
They sponsor him.
