Key Highlights
- Modern tire changers like the Hunter TCX59 Pro feature hybrid leverless heads and versatile clamping, making tire removal faster and safer.
- Accurate wheel balancing with smart technology reduces the need for excess weights and maintains rim aesthetics, improving customer satisfaction.
- Advanced alignment machines, such as the Hunter Hawkeye Elite, provide quick, precise measurements, helping shops deliver high-quality service efficiently.
- Proper vehicle inspection is crucial for identifying suspension or tire issues that can affect service quality and shop profitability.
- Using the right tools and following best practices can turn tire and alignment services into profitable, repeatable revenue streams for shops.
I love how technology advancements have made servicing tires and performing alignments way more efficient than they've ever been. In this article, I discuss the latest and greatest (in my opinion, anyway) tire and alignment machines that are making life at shops just a little bit easier. Let’s face it, we can use all the help we can get when it comes to automotive repair.
We all know replacing tires themselves is not the most profitable job out there. So, any way we can get all four tires serviced and an alignment done faster will help our pockets. So, I'll also cover how servicing tires and performing alignments can actually make the shop more profitable and help technicians earn more money. Before we jump into the tool and equipment talk, though, let's talk about inspections.
Properly inspecting the vehicle is crucial to servicing tires and performing alignments. If a tire is choppy, this usually means that the struts and shocks are worn out. Or when the tire is wearing unevenly, this could indicate an issue with the suspension or alignment. By performing a good inspection, this can increase profits and work for shops and their technicians.
Now, let’s get this started by talking about “The Big Three” in tire service and alignment — the tire changer, the tire balancer machine, and last but not least, the all-mighty alignment machine.
The tire changer
There are many different manufacturers of tire changers. Each machine is a bit unique, and the performance quality and price vary between them. However, the main goal is the same — get that dang tire off the rim and the new one back on without causing any damage.
Many different designs of tire changers are available, such as the table-top design, which I feel is your more traditional tire changer. This one is the changer that I grew up with. Even these tire changers have come a long way as far as efficiency goes. With additional arms to aid in the process and reverse clamp capabilities for the bigger rims that you do not want to get damaged or scratched.
The Hunter Engineering TCX59 Pro tire changer is, in my opinion, probably one of the best table-top tire changers. This tire changer has many great features, like a fast blast inflation station, a patented “power out” bead breaker, and 10" to 26" external clamping to allow a diverse range of rim sizes, which means there aren't many tires that this changer cannot handle. My favorite feature of this changer has to be the hybrid leverless head. This means the lever is integrated into the head, allowing technicians to get that dang tire off that rim faster than ever.
Just as important as the tire changer itself is the correct usage process. Being aware of how you are using the machine is crucial to your and anyone nearby's safety, as well as preventing damage to the rim or tire during the procedure. When the tire is off the rim, it is good practice to clean the corrosion off the bead of the rim and then finish it off with some bead sealer. This way, you don't have to worry about the customer coming back with a leaking rim.
The tire balancer
The second of the "Big Three" of tire service machines is the tire balancer. An accurate tire balance can keep a customer from returning to the shop with a problem like a wheel shake at high speeds. I find the Hunter Engineering Road Force Elite Wheel Balancer to be one of the most accurate and fastest wheel balancers out there. This balancer can automatically determine the rim specifications, saving time and reducing operator errors. Another great perk of this balancer is that it uses “smart weight” technology to show you where to place the weights for the best results. This will lessen the number of weights being used, cutting down on this particular shop supply while still providing users with an accurate wheel balance.
Have you ever had a really nice rim and then had to place a weight in a spot that just makes that nice rim look ugly? Another feature of this balancer is that it tries to place the weights behind the spoke of the rim to keep that good-looking rim looking good. The combination of a good tire changer and an accurate wheel balancer is crucial to providing excellent tire service.
The alignment machine
Last but not least of the "Big Three" is the alignment machine. I believe being a one-stop shop is really the way to go. If you are going to be servicing tires, then having the ability to align the vehicle can set your shop apart from others. It's also another way to increase sales and profit.
The technology on the alignment machines nowadays is unbelievable. The Hunter Hawkeye Elite alignment machine captures measurements in as little as seventy seconds with its easy clamp technology. Alignments are another service that we want to be precise and accurate. Following a good procedure will help provide accurate alignments and decrease the risk of having to bring the vehicle back in because the steering wheel is off after performing the alignment. One tip is to ensure the tire pressure is at the vehicle’s specs on the vehicle information tag located inside the driver's side door.
The software of your alignment machine is also very important. With an easy-to-read layout and operating systems, the Hawkeye Elite makes life a little bit easier. Having vehicle-specific procedures embedded within the software is a great tool to utilize when you're unsure where to make your adjustments. Also, having the steering angle reset within the software saves time. The ability to knock out accurate alignments and tires will definitely help your shop's profit and reputation.
To conclude, as I mentioned earlier, being a one-stop repair shop will only help your shop and technicians reach the next level. Hopefully, this article provides some good tips on performing accurate and efficient tire and alignment services. Although I only covered a small amount of tire and alignment equipment, there are many good machines out there with great technology. With the right tools and equipment, tire service and wheel alignments can be a breeze.
Tools used
- Hunter Engineering TCX59 Pro Tire Changer
- Hunter Engineering Road Force Elite Wheel Balancer
- Hunter Hawkeye Elite Alignment Machine
About the Author
Rick Urso
Rick Urso has been in the automotive industry for over 20 years. Currently, he works at a family-owned shop, Hi-Tech Auto Specialists in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Urso started out sweeping the floors and worked his way up to lead technician, then to store manager. He runs the shop while diagnosing most of the drivability and electrical problems that come through. Urso notes that their shop takes pride in doing good, honest work and diagnosing problems correctly the first time.