Question on tires, got flat
Heard a oomph in the road, then the tire monitor came on, and then I promptly pulled over. The right rear down. It has nail in it, but that didn't appear to be the problem. Instead there is another section with about a 1.5 inch pice of something: concrete, plastic, I don't know what. Do you think that is too big to patch? trying to decide, if I should go order a replacement from tire rack cause I don't think I can find these contis locally.
Also - if i tell the repair place about the tire monitor they should be able to not injure it yes? What about weights? right now the wheel has what appears to be matching weights. Will generic weights be very ugly? Anything else to watch out for ?
Worst of all - - jack scratched the piece of the car that is down there on the bottom of the side (the surface was soft and the first time the jack slipped and the car fell on the jack haha). What is that piece called down there ? It's the piece that looks a bit different on our sports compared to the luxury. it runs the entire length of car. I wonder how much it costs to replace all that plastic down there? Would that piece come pre-painted you think?
Thanks so much to all. I could live with the tire needing repair or replacement, but it sucks the car got injured too.

I liked having the tire monitor though. Otherwise, the wheel might have got damaged or something. However, I sorta wish in this situation it had been BMW run flats, haha, since it was dark and everything.
Last but not least, the piece that got scratched, are you referring to the side skirts? If so, yes it can be repainted or simply replaced. Considering its location, you may just be able to live with the scratch, since its not at eye level, but if it really bothers ya, take it to most any auto body shop and let them give you a price quote. In some case, they may be able to spot spray it to make it 90% better.
Well, I hope this info helps. Sorry to hear about your little problem. I know it sucks, but hey don't loose sleep over it. It happens to all of us...
Thanks for the info about the weights. I'll be sure to mention that they do like you say and weight it the same way on the inside. Yeah, I was just concerned too cause the weights on the side of the wheel closer to where you see the wheel on the car appear to be the same color as the wheel as the ones deeper on inside of wheel are more generic looking, but I guess I'll just have to live with that difference.
Thanks again. I think I'll be able to sleep. ha-ha. My silly japanese sedan never had something like this (a scratch like this), but at least it isn't too bad, and maybe I'll fix it.

Last edited by ohlord; Feb 29, 2008 at 03:03 AM.
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The factory weights are smooth topped and silver painted so as to match the inner surface of the wheel and look better. Before I had winter tires mounted on my OE wheels, I removed the weights and hung onto them because they are so pretty.
Nobody is going to try to install weights on the outside so quit worrying about that. In fact, MB hasn't mounted outside weights for years, but mounts them behind the spokes, plus on the inner rim.
Mounting weights near the wheel's centerline is NOT called static balancing. Static balancing is done with the wheel STATIC, that is, not spinning, but mounted flat on a central pivot point and weights placed here and there until it's level. This method predates spin balancers which means it hasn't been used for decades. For good reason.
Your TP sensor is in unit with the valve stem and can be damaged by a careless tire installer who is not aware of it's location. Happened with one of my wheels, at the dealer.
However, is it ok if they put the rim weights on the inside of the wheel, or should they not even do that? Only use the stickies even on the back ?
Finally, anyone know the torque to put the wheel back on at cause I be doing that myself. Thanks.


