Another %@$#$@! Pothole

[quicksilverdon]

Had ice on the way in yesterday, so was more intent on staying on the road, and hit a nasty pothole. Tire was down to about 10PSI before I went home - a co-worker had a battery-powered pump & I pumped it up & went to Sears - needed a new tire - bulge in sidewall, a puncture that was more a tear, and a slight dent in the rim!
The good news is that I have road hazard insurance - only cost me $13+ for the tire.
They asked if I wanted an alignment - that triggered a rant from me - after LAST pothole, I asked for an alignment at Sears, and as I'm paying they tell me that one adjustment (I forget whether caster or camber) meeds shims so I'll have to go to dealer - I said they should've gotten the shims, charged me for them, but not just do 1/2 a job and send me to dealer who will charge me for alignment all over again.
I later had alignment done at dealer (and it did need shims).
2 messages -
1) if you're getting an alignment at anyplace other than dealer - ask beforehand about what they'll do if it needs shims - don't pay for 1/2 a job.
2) Get "road hazard " warranty on new tires. This is second new tire I've gotten for next to nothing.

[CREWZIN]

Hey Don,

If it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all. I agree with the "road hazard" thing. Got it when I bought the new KUMHOs for the 17" GT wheels. Been back for re-balancing already at no charge so I re-cooped at least $40 of the expense since most places charge $10 a tire. What about your rim? Was it badly damaged? Glad my sister moved out of NJ so I don't have to drive there, doesn't sound like the roads are in too good of shape, but she went to Phila so it could be worse. []

[gonzomania]

QSD,
Sorry to hear of the tire problem again. Dodging potholes is worse than dodging deer this time of year. Crewzin, my son goes to college in Phila. the pot holes are so big they swallow the car!!!!

[Jimbo]

Don,glad to hear everything turned out OK.Pot holes are bad around here too.They had the crews out filling them yesterday.Now it's like you have little speed bumps alll over the place.

[quicksilverdon]

The irony is that I go thru backwater towns and farms and the roads are fine - it's when I reach the "hoity toity" Princeton area that the roads seem as if they've been used for bombing practice. [xx(]

[Jimbo]

around here it makes a differance which county your
in. Seems like some take better care of the roads
better than others.