I'm looking for recommendations for reliable, knowledgeable service and repair for my 2005 TJ in the Phoenix, AZ area. If any of you have a lead on a competent shop that you can share with me, I would really appreciate it.
Good to know because I have been having a hard time finding a decent place that does tires here. I will check them out next. I wish they were a little closer though, but if they do good tire work I will drive there.I have a 2005 LJ that I just bought. The Big-O Tires at 25th and Bell does a lot of mechanical work — they don't just sell tires. They do a lot of 4x4s but it would depend on how complex you're talking about. They did my lift (they do a lot of lifts), replaced all hoses and belts, installed a new radiator and transmission cooler, did the brakes (bigger brakes), do alignments, fluid changes, fix air conditioning. But they did not want to do the regear. They sent that out to another shop. disclosure: my daughter and son-in-law own that shop.
HINT:
Costco members get tires as inexpensively as America's Tire/Discount Tire (they looked at the little bulge on the sidewall of the Michelin after I hit a 4-mile deep pothole and gave me a new tire. CalTrans paid for the damage their freeway caused I got another Michelin)
Both provide balancing and rotation forever and other tire services. Both will order in any brand you want.
Why Costco? If you use the Costco Visa, that becomes your membership card, you get a rebate on everything you spend, plus Costco gives you a rebate check on what you spend, so you end up spending less for the same tire than elsewhere. And you can buy your groceries there for less too.
Re: COSTCO (for ac_ zombicon)
Since we are practically neighbors, PM me and we can talk. And maybe go get some dust on our Jeeps.
I'm looking for recommendations for reliable, knowledgeable service and repair for my 2005 TJ in the Phoenix, AZ area. If any of you have a lead on a competent shop that you can share with me, I would really appreciate it.
I think it depends on what you are looking for. There are numerous shops to put on bolt on accessories, (especially for the JK crowd) but when it comes to maintenance, I have had good luck with
ATAC Arizona Total Auto in Gilbert.
Granted, this was with my YJ (which is why I finally rebooted my Jeep to a TJ).
The YJ had/has some serious wiring issues, and they followed through with me days later, even after I paid what I consider a reasonable bill for all of their troubleshooting efforts.
BTW, I've been a A&P mechanic (aircraft) for over 30 years, so I tend to judge mechanics very strongly.
Avoid Canyon Off-road off of Ironwood and Main unless you own an International Scout. Long story why, but $400 later, having changed a perfectly good part they said was bad, I'll never go back.
Good luck with your TJ, maybe we can hit the dirt sometime!
I just bought the TJ last week, but it appears that the PO bought Wrangler 31x10.5x 15's at Sam's club. (I have pretty much every receipt since it was new!).Really I can do all of the work myself on my TJ, with the exception of tires and windshields. So basically I am looking for a place that can do real tire work and stands behind it.
Basically I have been to 3 Discount tires with no success of a balance. I have taken it back repeatedly with not success. I mean they are nice, but they just do it wrong every time. There is not hey lets try and rotate the rubber on the rim. It is slap some weight on it and if it is not enough we'll just slap more on it. I have had problems with both my rigs. Then I took it to 4wheel parts and paid a hefty price and they got it right with more than half the weight. But the air in the tires were from 32 to 48PSI and they definitely didn't torque the wheels. But they got the balance right, so I am happier, but I get that they don't care about tire work.
I know it sucks for shops that do tire work, because I probably not going to go there other than for tire work, but some place has to have pride in there work even if it is just "Tire Work."
So that said what tires do you run and size and if you like how they were mounted and balanced where did you go?
I just bought the TJ last week, but it appears that the PO bought Wrangler 31x10.5x 15's at Sam's club. (I have pretty much every receipt since it was new!).
Also, my Jeep is a stocker, and rolls really smooth, no matter what the speed.
Again, I'd give the guys at ATAC a call, I wouldn't be surprised if they could hook you up, or let you know who can.
Basically I have been to 3 Discount tires with no success of a balance. I have taken it back repeatedly with not success. I mean they are nice, but they just do it wrong every time. There is not hey lets try and rotate the rubber on the rim. It is slap some weight on it and if it is not enough we'll just slap more on it. I have had problems with both my rigs. Then I took it to 4wheel parts and paid a hefty price and they got it right with more than half the weight. But the air in the tires were from 32 to 48PSI and they definitely didn't torque the wheels. But they got the balance right, so I am happier, but I get that they don't care about tire work.
I have never heard of that! But if it works I would be interested. One of our members tried the beads and didn't have much luck with them so I never tried them, but that would be really interesting if it works. I will do some reading up. If I could find something that works where i don't need a shop that would be great!Have you considered Centramatic wheel balancers? I don't personally have experience with them, but the comments I've read about them have been very positive. Might even get a few more miles out of the tires.
http://www.centramatic.com/wheel-balancer.rhtml?modelNumber=300-345
Have you considered Centramatic wheel balancers? I don't personally have experience with them, but the comments I've read about them have been very positive. Might even get a few more miles out of the tires.
http://www.centramatic.com/wheel-balancer.rhtml?modelNumber=300-345