Tires: Got new tires and new problems, small claims court, lug nuts

Question
Hello I hope you can help me.  I went into my local tire shop and got 4 new tires ( westlake 205/ 45z /17 ) on my 90 honda accord.  I also had a alignment done.  First thing I noticed when I got home deep scratches in my rims.  Then I noticed one of my back tires sounds like a helicopter and at any moment it's going to fall off. When my boyfriend went to check the rotors and bearings he wasn't able to get the lug nuts off.  They were too tight and one is sheared off..  I don't have any vibration in my steering wheel but I do have a lot of it in the back end.  Also the car drifts to the right.  The tire store said my symptoms are not caused by anything they did and won't look at it.  I guess my question is...  Are they lying and Can improperly installing tires cause any of these problems?   I think they are responsible and don't want to admit it.  I had all of the under carriage checked in February and only needed to replace upper control arms and rack and pinion.  Everything else was in good condition. Thank you for taking the time to read this any opinion is greatly appreciated

Anjee

Answer
Anjee,

Let's start with the drift first.  Either the alignment is bad, or the tires are bad.  Since they are responsible for both .......

To diagnose which is which, swap the front tires.  If the direction of the drift changes, the it's the tires.  If the direction doesn't change, it's the alignment.  If the drift disappears, it's both.

Here's what I would do.  I would document all the problems that you have.  In particular, document what it would cost to fix them.  Then I would go back to the tire shop and ask them to fix the problems.  If he refuses, remind him that you have documentation and intend to file a law suit in small claims court. Id he still refuses, then find your self another shop, and get the things fixed that need to be fixed - always keeping the receipt, then file a lawsuit in small claims court.