Avoiding wheel damage from weights?

[Jonathan Schwartz <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just went into Wheelworks (SF Bay Area)  this weekend and had all 
four wheel on my 95 E34 balanced. I also replaced a bent wheel with a 
brandy new one.

One of the things I truly dislike about wheel work is the inevitable 
incremental damage that is inflicted on wheels when worked on.

Weights get pried off. New 5=A2 weights get hammered on.  Sometimes 
moved an inch or two if the original placement was off.  The new 
weights are the cheapest looking thing on the car. Plus, they gouge 
the wheel lip...almost inevitable by design.

I can't be the only one who cringes at the thought.  Yet, I don't 
remember seeing any discussion on the subject.

In this particular case, the "technician" must have used a 
screw-driver somewhere in the process, because the brand new wheel 
came out of the shop with 2 half-inch gouges where it appears the 
weights were initially mounted, then moved.

Arghhh!

What do other folks do? Do you hold the garage responsible for 
cosmetic damage like this? Aren't OEM weight better designed? Does 
anyone use them?

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan

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Jonathan Schwartz
Schwartz & Company
ph (415) 381-1852      fax (415) 381-1855
817 Marin Drive Mill Valley  CA 94941    jonathan@domain.elided

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