wheel balancing question

White95Max · 02-12-05, 07:46

If a wheel is new (IOW extremely clean), does it need to be balanced? Wouldn't a new tire on a new rim be balanced already?
I'm wondering if I even need to have my wheels balanced, since they are so clean...front and backsides.

Jung918 · 02-12-05, 07:52

You can drive local on an unbalanced tire. But if you plan to drive at highway speeds, your ride will not be smooth.

White95Max · 02-12-05, 07:55

If my wheels are unbalanced, I will have them balanced. My question was just asking whether or not a new tire/wheel would be balanced already?

holland_patrick · 02-12-05, 07:57

Yes they do. The imprections in the way wheels are made and also the way tires are made the need to balance them is great.

dternst · 02-12-05, 08:01

If you are marrying a new wheel with a new tire, then the answer to your question is yes.

rjstaaf · 02-12-05, 08:01

It is possible for a new wheel/tire combo to not need any weight but, it has only happened to me once in the past 25 years. The dealer was suprised, he said that it doesn't happen very often. Your chances will be increased if you have them mounted and the balance checked at a shop with a Hunter road force balance machine.

Typically most shops just take the weight suggestion but, the machince is also capable of suggesting how to rotate the tire on the rim to minimize the amount of weight needed. Most shops don't do that because it is labor intensive as the tire has to be mounted to the rim and then broken down again, possibly several times to get the optimal position on the rim.

kempie · 02-12-05, 08:02

I have never seen a wheel/tire that didnt need balancing. They are balanced at the factory before being mounted to the veh.

White95Max · 02-12-05, 08:05

OK I guess that answers my question. I'll need to have them balanced after installation.
Thanks guys

O4cobra · 02-12-05, 08:19

Hey Paul,

You need to have a tire and wheel balanced because of the high spot in a wheel and tire. Every wheel and tire has a high spot. If the high spots are not countered with weights, you will get a horrible vibration in almost every case. There are machines that are able to do a "match mount" we call it. Where we put it on the machine, then it tells us where to rotate the tire on the wheel to get the best balance. I have seen a wheel and tire that didn't need balancing, maybe once a month. But I have never seen an entire set. And usually a new set of wheels you have the best chance, but since your wheels are used, you will need it. You can ask to have the match mount, but they will charge more, but it is usually worth it! Hope this helps!

NYV6Coupe · 02-12-05, 10:11

Definitely, get the tire/wheel assemblies balanced. I worked at a Sear's Auto Center for 7 years and never found one single wheel/tire assembly that did not need at least 1/2 - 3/4 oz of weight(s) for correction.

If you can find one near you, go to a shop that uses a Hunter GSP9700 balancer, it is the absolute best.

Here's a link to find a Hunter Balancer near you:

http://128.242.141.111/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

BigChevMan · 02-13-05, 08:44

What everyone has said is true. You will definitely need to have them checked for balance.

Accumulator · 02-13-05, 09:41

Quote:

Originally posted by NYV6Coupe
If you can find one near you, go to a shop that uses a Hunter GSP9700 balancer, it is the absolute best.

Here's a link to find a Hunter Balancer near you:

http://128.242.141.111/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

That's the way to go all right!

And make sure they only use adhesive weights mounted on the back side of the wheel. On *very* rare occasions you'll have to have them dismount/remount the tire so they can do this (just due to the weird ways things can be out of balance, and the tire's position on the rim makes a difference), but you *can* get perfect balance with no weights on the front. Makes for a cleaner look and less chance of permanent staining (that'll show up when you mount the next set of tires and change the weights).