The Wheel Deal

Yorktown Service Plaza offers more than just tire replacement. By providing state-
of-the-art equipment and products, vehicle owners driving everything from lawn tractors to high-end autos know where to get the best deal for their wheels. Here’s why you might want to roll on in for your next new set of tires and wheels—even if you own a $400,000 Maybach.

By: Bill Yurgen
Date: 06/27/2008
I recently visited Yorktown Service Plaza in Parma Heights to discuss the many ways they have adapted their business to serve the needs of our area. As Mimi’s self-professed resident automobile aficionado, I was so impressed by their custom wheel and tire business that I am doing a second article just to tell you about it.

Byron Shull, who co-owns Yorktown along with his brother Matt and his father Doug, operates the vehicle service department. I say vehicle, rather than automotive, because on any given day, along with the usual assortment of passenger cars and SUVs, you may see a motorcycle owner buying a set of tires and having them installed. You might even see a lawn tractor having its tires repaired, or a pick-up truck that looks like it belongs at a monster truck event in some arena.

I recently visited Yorktown Service Plaza in Parma Heights to discuss the many ways they have adapted their business to serve the needs of our area. As Mimi’s self-professed resident automobile aficionado, I was so impressed by their custom wheel and tire business that I am doing a second article just to tell you about it.

When I visited, there was a customer who had driven from Columbus to have his Maybach serviced. A Maybach is what Oprah and other movers and shakers own. “This customer’s car is valued at well over $400,000,” Byron explained. “The wheels alone cost over $8,000 each to replace. His dealer in Columbus referred him to Yorktown because we are one of the few shops in the region with the specialized equipment recommended for servicing wheel and tire issues for these cars.”

The state-of-the-art equipment that Byron was referring to was a recent investment made by Yorktown of over $36,000 for two computerized machines that mount and balance tires. This is definitely not what you see at the corner custom wheel shop, or even at those tire chain stores, because they are too expensive and too specialized for those types of operations.

“We can accommodate wheel sizes from as small as eight inches all the way up to an enormous 32-inch size,” he said. “This equipment allows us to remove and mount tires on very expensive wheels without fear of damage. To optimize the ride and handling characteristics in luxury and performance vehicles, as well as vehicles that are being fitted with large diameter rims, our new computerized balancing machine can actually simulate the tire driving at high speed and simulate the pressure on the tire as it supports the weight of a two-ton plus vehicle. It will detect high spots and low spots and correctly match the optimum wheel position to tire position so vibration is held to an absolute minimum.”

“For many applications, our regular equipment is more than sufficient,” he added. “But for expensive factory or custom wheels that can sometimes be more demanding, this new equipment allows us to custom fit to the exact needs of our customers.”

A commitment to industry leading technology, along with a wide choice of custom wheels and tires in a broad range of price points, has made Yorktown Service Plaza one of the region’s largest installers of aftermarket products. “We feature high-quality tires from Goodyear, Nokian, and many other brands to fit all budgets and vehicles,” Byron said. “We offer the wheels everyone is after from Asanti, DUB by MHT, American Racing and many more famous makers, in a price range that can run from $200 a set, all the way to thousands each. One thing is for sure, we can make your car or truck look and ride like a million dollars.”

Now through July 16, Yorktown is offering free custom mounting and balancing on their computerized equipment when a set of four custom wheels and tires are purchased. For more information, visit www.YorktownServicePlaza.com, or call 440-885-2222. Hours are Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00am to noon; closed Sundays. Yorktown Service Plaza is located at 6177 Pearl Road in Parma Heights.

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