wheel balancing question

W

White95Max

New member
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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
I have never seen a wheel/tire that didnt need balancing. They are balanced at the factory before being mounted to the veh.
 
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!
 
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
 
NYV6Coupe said:
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
Click to expand...



:xyxthumbs 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).
 
There are a whole bunch of adhesive-backed weights on the wheels now. There is no lip on the front of the wheel that would allow placement of a non-adhesive weight.
 
OK, some wheels are like that. I'd sure take the old weights off yourself, shops tend to be quite rough about it. The adhesive can be a pain and lots of guys will just use a screwdriver or something and mess 'em up.
 
If you have a heatgun it'll sure make it easier. Just don't over heat them and mess up the finish (I'm assuming they're finished to some extent on the back). You can probably get them off with just a hairdryer and plenty of adhesive remover. Soak them by using paper towels or something saturated with the adhesive remover- get the towels soaked with it and press them on the weights for a while. If some of them are stubborn, just imagine what Bubba at the tire place would've done to get them off!



Heh heh, I just finished cleaning the backsides of the MPV's summer wheels and if anything I had to be careful that I didn't accidentally remove the weights. Some adhere a lot better than others.



When you get the weights off, clean the back sides but don't seal/wax/etc. them, or else Bubba will have to use who-knows-what to get the new weights to stick. I'd just clay them and then use something like PI-III RC on them. I usually end up also using some Pi-III MG or FP on mine when I do this, but I'm sorta extreme about it...
 
Accumulator said:


When you get the weights off, clean the back sides but don't seal/wax/etc. them, or else Bubba will have to use who-knows-what to get the new weights to stick. I'd just clay them and then use something like PI-III RC on them. I usually end up also using some Pi-III MG or FP on mine when I do this, but I'm sorta extreme about it...
Click to expand...



hmm...I've already got AIO + WGx2 on the entire wheels...backsides included. I guess I'll have to polish the backsides again to remove the sealant?
 
Or use something like PrepSol or whatever adhesive remover you're gonna use on the weights. Wish I'd spotted this thread back before you got started, could've saved you a little work. Oh well, now you'll know for next time.



Heh heh, I bet the WG would've given them fits at the tire place "hey, what's this slipperly [stuff]? I can't get the weights to stick..gimme some lacquer thinner.."



When you take the wheels in, explain that you've prepped them properly and I'd still keep an eye on the guy doing the work ;)
 
The guys at the shop I take my car to are pretty good about taking care of my car. They know how much I care about the condition/cleanliness of the paint, as well as the rest of the car. I would definitely tell them that the wheels had been polished/sealed before they mount/balance the tires. I would tell them that if they have any problems with the weights sticking, to let me know (I'd wait in the lobby) and I'll have my polish/MFs with me to get the sealant off if necessary. I would only have to remove the sealant from a narrow band on the front of the wheel for the weights to stick, since they aren't going to put weights on the center of the rim.
 
"I would only have to remove the sealant from a narrow band on the front of the wheel for the weights to stick, since they aren't going to put weights on the center of the rim."

Here's what I mean...you can see the weights on the front of the wheels just behind the face of the wheel. There is no lip on the front for clip-on weights to be attached.

Wheel2AIOWGx2.jpg
 
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