Taking the wheels off

AspenF150

AspenF150

rotary dude
Not sure if this is the right forum to post this but anyway. If I ever start my business, I been thinking I would yield better results if I removed the wheels on customers cars.



I would need to get a scissor lift that would get used heavily(for both my business and personal use) air tools and compressor. What do you think?
 
The time spent and cost necessary to purchase the equipment wouldn't be worth it. Not to mention having the potential liability if a wheel were to become loose while the client was driving. Get some good wheel brushes, a strong but safe wheel cleaner, and go to town.
 
If you decide to do it, invest is a tork wrench. You want to make sure that the wheels are properly tightened. This is something you can offer for an added fee, and it will def set you apart from the crowd. Just be extremely careful jacking it up and securing the car. And although it is alwasy assumed, dont scratch the wheels with the hardware!!! Good luck with whatever you decide!!
 
You make valid points MCWD. Only thing that really does concern me is yes cost and safety issues, but also some foriegn cars require a key to remove one of the lug nuts.



I'm not sure but I think you can only obtain these keys from the dealer or no?
 
The owner should have the key, that would be ridiculous what if they get a flat?



Make sure to find proper jacking points or you could set yourself up for problems.



for example tire shops often jack camaros and firebirds up by this tab behind the wheel well, and then have to pay to have the fender repaired because it bowed out and the fender gaps dont line up
 
That's why I was thinking about utlizing a scissor lift. Kind of a one size fits all thing. Just lift the car by the frame.



Off topic, I wish the weather would break so I can clean up my truck and get some pics of it on here. I can't stand winter and my truck hasn't seen a wash in about 3 weeks.
 
oooooohh that be scary, I can see one customer trying to get over on you if something would to ever happen. People are ruthless!
 
I've only taken the wheels off a couple of times...each time that person was a close friend, and I had time to kill (Not to mention, it was early on when I didn't have the appropriate brushes). If you going to do it, do it the right way. I.e. Jack, jack stands, torque wrench, etc.



I wouldn't do it on just any customers' car.
 
Just be aware of the liability issues that arise from doing this on a customers car. And just one addition to the good jack, jack stands, and accurate torque wrench is a set of sockets with Protective Plastic Sleeves:



Astro Pneumatic Automotive Sockets & Sets



I even carry the size for my mags in the street rod in case I need to take off a wheel on a road trip, and it has happened at least once.
 
Dkblue05 said:
The owner should have the key, that would be ridiculous what if they get a flat?



Make sure to find proper jacking points or you could set yourself up for problems.



for example tire shops often jack camaros and firebirds up by this tab behind the wheel well, and then have to pay to have the fender repaired because it bowed out and the fender gaps dont line up
Click to expand...



+1 ive had to fix mine several times from this
 
07e90 said:
The time spent and cost necessary to purchase the equipment wouldn't be worth it. Not to mention having the potential liability if a wheel were to become loose while the client was driving. Get some good wheel brushes, a strong but safe wheel cleaner, and go to town.
Click to expand...





I understand where you are coming from, about the liability. But if you can not put a lug nut on correctly, then you are a nut!
 
Also watch the Porsche ceramics. Porsche shops use lug hole "finders" to keep from cracking the ceramic rotors during wheel removal and replacement.
 
Right now I have more mechanical skills than I do detailing skills. Taking wheels off doesn't bother me in the slightest, haven't needed to take any my vehicles to a shop in years, other than warranty work.



If I do decide to do this, it won't be right away. I'll have to build up the fortune and add onto as I go, this seems more cost effective IMO
 
Eliot Ness said:
Just be aware of the liability issues that arise from doing this on a customers car. And just one addition to the good jack, jack stands, and accurate torque wrench is a set of sockets with Protective Plastic Sleeves:
Click to expand...



Very good advice. Imagine not torqueing down a customer's wheels properly and one falls off. I've seen many claims like this from even professional garages. I'll take the risk of burning paint or getting a motor wet over death any day. It's a must to invest in the right tools if you're planning on moving forward with this.
 
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