Unhappy with discount tire

[jruppert]

So I purchased a set of BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires the other day. Cost me a pretty penny. The guy added the TPMS rebuild kit to the bill. I didnt even as for this but I was going to ask to have it added anyway. They install the tires and all is good for a couple days.

Yesterday I check tire psi and they all read approximately 37 psi. Today I get into car and it says low tire pressure. I get out to look and they all look decent so I didnt think much of it. I drive it for around 20 miles and then it says very low tire pressure. Then I get my gauge out and check tires. They are read fine but the front passenger tire. It reads at 23 psi.

I take the expedition to a friend of mine that owns a shop. He checks the tire and says, the valve core is junk. So I call up discount tire and ask if they install new valve cores when doing the TPMS rebuild. I told him that I was just in there and had tires installed and paid for the rebuild kit. I then told him that today my tire was low on air and am being told that the valve core is junk. He then tells me that it doesnt sound right. He said that it should be new and also have new nuts threaded onto the valve stems. I then told him that they have original nuts also. He acted like he didnt believe me.

So now I have to drive back to discount tire to get this resolved. I live an hour away. My issue is this...

1. I as charged for a rebuild kit that I obviously didnt get.
2. The valve core was either damaged before or after the new tire was installed. Either the core was corroded and they damaged it taking it out to install tire or they damaged it when reinstalling the valve core. The core looks original as well.

So I am expecting them to tell me that it was corroded previously and that is why it couldnt come out. Therefore I will need to pay for a new sensor. I was told by my friend that it will be difficult to get that core out of the stem. If it was corroded before, why didnt they inform me that it was corroded and had trouble getting it out and back in?

I should have just went to Walmart. I expect foolishness from there.

 

[VTfireftr]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that the TPMS in the Expedition is not mounted on the valve stem. It's a "band unit" that wraps around the rim.

If this is the case, the tire dealer should just have replaced the valve stems without and issues.

But as I already stated I could be wrong.

 

[K5rnt]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that the TPMS in the Expedition is not mounted on the valve stem. It's a "band unit" that wraps around the rim.

If this is the case, the tire dealer should just have replaced the valve stems without and issues.

But as I already stated I could be wrong.

It depends on the year. I'm not sure on the specific years but originally ford had them on the band and then they switched to the metal stems and then they switched again to rubber stems with the sensors attached. The newest design seems to be the industry standard now as ford, dodge, and gm are all mounting them in that way.

 

[sgtowing]

I know on mine that the TPMS are on the stem. I had to take them off and put them on the new wheels I got and had no problems with them. I didn't even rebuild them. Good luck with getting the problem solved.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[GAINMOB]

I know on mine that the TPMS are on the stem. I had to take them off and put them on the new wheels I got and had no problems with them. I didn't even rebuild them. Good luck with getting the problem solved.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

this is the same for me...and i had my originals installed in my 24's...no probs

 

[jruppert]

Here is a pic that I took of the front passenger tire. It is a metal (aluminum) stem. You can see the valve core is bent. I have no idea what will happen about this issue. I need to go there at 2pm today to get this resolved. They better make things right.

You can see air bubbles coming out around the base of the stem where it contacts the rim. My friend sprayed some soap or some solution that he had to see where all it was coming from. This thing was definitely not taken out.

 

[sgtowing]

Do anything you have to shy of getting the cops called. If the popo gets involved, they won't do anything for you. Don't be affraid to call and ***** at corprate either.

 

[K5rnt]

I used to work at a tire shop.
They should be able to tell just by looking at them that those stems have not been changed.

 

[jruppert]

Well I just wanted to say that I took the car in today to get the tires looked at. I asked how they go about taking the tire off if the valve core is seized into the stem. He said that they would drill a hole in tire to remove air and then remove tire. I said, well if it was seized then someone should have noted in paper work and told me when I had them put on the other day. He said well yeah..

They got truck in and 5 minutes later came back and told me that he was refunding me some money. They refunded me the rebuild kit and labor. It came out to being around $90. During the job they found a rear sensor that was seized up. They tried to get it apart but ended up breaking sensor. They replaced the sensor free of charge.

So I think they did right. I told him that I appreciated them making it right. I said that many people could try to weezle themselves out of a job and blame it on someone else. So all is good.

 

[sgtowing]

glad to hear it worked out.

 

[wwareham2008]

I have had a few problems with discount myself but nothing like that. When I got my tires put on they over torqued the lug nuts. Safe to say I got a flat heading on a 400 mile roadtrip and when I went to go change the tire I broke the expy's stock lugnut wrench luckily I had my 4 way which it also bent. And the last lugnut was semi stripped and I couldn't remove it from my 4 way so I got to ride on a spare missing a lugnut for 100 miles. They did completely cover my tire after I went batshit crazy in the store without paying.

 

[jruppert]

I really didnt know what to think when I stopped back in. I assumed they would have found a reason to get out of fixing my situation. I wonder how many people they do rip off with this 'tpms rebuild' kit. Most people wouldnt know what to look for. Its kinda like asking for someone to replace a transmission filter but you never get to see the old one. You never really know if its been done.

 

[EvanB]

I work for discount tire. It is clear from the picture that they simply didn't install the rebuild kits you paid for. Not only because it is dirty, but the rebuild kits come with new valve cores. Just be alert to little things like that. It is definitely worth it to buy the rebuild kits, as long as they are installed correctly. I'd be annoyed if I was in your position. I hope you have better luck next time; you may want to try a different location.

And it is quite easy to notice the difference in an old one ad new rebuild kit. The new ones look as they should, fresh out of a bag, and the valve core should be nice and shiny.

 

[jruppert]

Wanted to reply with an update..

My wife told me today that the rear tire looked low and the TPMS light is on. I check air pressure and it shows 20 lbs. I put new air in it and find air is leaking through the valve. I purchase a new valve to screw in and my tool will not attach itself to anything. I kneel down to look at this thing and find it is rusty and both of the teeth are gone. So not only did they screw me over the first time but they didnt replace the FREEKIN valve! I was told that when these valves break inside that it is almost impossible to get them out without replacing the sensor. Man I am soooo pissed!

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

So what was the final outcome?

This website might be of use to someone. Tire Pressure Monitoring System | TPMS | TPMS Wholesalers

 

[jruppert]

I ended up purchasing a used sensor with valve on ebay. Paid $25 for it. Had it installed with no more issues. It is easy to suggest avoiding Discount Tire but I am sure like anything that there are some good apples and bad apples where ever you go. I definitely will not be going back to that location ever again.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thanks jruppert! I'm about to add a new set of tires and wheels but they have sensors that are not compatible with my system so I'm going to try that place in Michigan to buy 4 new sensors and get my tire place to install them. I'll then sell the other set on ebay or craigs list.