Wheel Balance procedures

[Likecars]

So I had the dealer rotate and balance the tires for the first time (by a dealer). I have two fractures in the left ankle and decided this was a good time to get a balance completed. 04/18.5K

All four wheels still have the original weight strips. My question is are these automatically removed, the weights, and then replaced after the wheel is spun?

Would they spin the wheel and if it was balanced leave the strips in place?

I have no reason to question this dealer, they have been great. Just curious, I was expecting new wheel weights because if it's the tab style on the outside of the rim I believe they remove it, spin the wheel and put a new one on.

Thanks.

[roy365]

Do you know if they really spun them to see if they were balanced?

Maybe they did and they were good enough to remount.

You NEED to rotate regularly, however you may NOT need to balance them everytime. Just more $ and labor. But, if you have vibration and know it's your tires you then need them balanced.

[Likecars]

I asked and the service rep said the tech did balance them. I did not make him go ask if they in fact did not require new weights.

I do have a slight wheel vibration at 48-52, that's why I went for a balance. It's the first balance since I bought it, been doing my own rotation every 5K or so.

Thanks for weighing in.

[blavis]

Originally Posted by Likecars

I asked and the service rep said the tech did balance them. I did not make him go ask if they in fact did not require new weights.

I do have a slight wheel vibration at 48-52, that's why I went for a balance. It's the first balance since I bought it, been doing my own rotation every 5K or so.

Thanks for weighing in.

Nice pun.

If the wheels did not need to be rebalanced, the weights more than likely will not be changed. Most wheel weights are made out of lead and that stuff is a bit on the pricey side these days.

If you still get a vibration between 48-52 MPH request that the tires be "bulls eye balanced". Standard wheel balancing just rounds the weight to the nearest once. Bulls eye will give you a perfect balance. Most newer Hunter™ machines are configured to do so.

[Titanequipped]

Originally Posted by Likecars

So I had the dealer rotate and balance the tires for the first time (by a dealer). I have two fractures in the left ankle and decided this was a good time to get a balance completed. 04/18.5K

All four wheels still have the original weight strips. My question is are these automatically removed, the weights, and then replaced after the wheel is spun?

Would they spin the wheel and if it was balanced leave the strips in place?

I have no reason to question this dealer, they have been great. Just curious, I was expecting new wheel weights because if it's the tab style on the outside of the rim I believe they remove it, spin the wheel and put a new one on.

Thanks.

Yes, if you requested your tire to be rebalanced your weights are taken off. I've been in the buisness for over 16 years and can tell you this for certain. Also most balancer don't round off to the nearest 1 ounce but to the nearest 1/4 ounce. And Yes you can match mount a wheel assembly if your wheel requires alot of weight. Hope this helps...

[blavis]

Originally Posted by Titanequipped

Yes, if you requested your tire to be rebalanced your weights are taken off. I've been in the buisness for over 16 years and can tell you this for certain. Also most balancer don't round off to the nearest 1 ounce but to the nearest 1/4 ounce. And Yes you can match mount a wheel assembly if your wheel requires alot of weight. Hope this helps...

Good catch...it has been a while. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Titanequipped]

Originally Posted by blavis

Good catch...it has been a while. Thanks for clearing that up.

No prob. It comes second nature to me. I specialize in the machines to change and balance tires and align vehicles. There's lots of shops out there that want to save money and not rebalance, just rotate tires. A few years back I went to the corner shop with my mother"n"law and she dropped her car off for some new tires and a oil change. The next day she said the car didn't feel right, I test drove and told her they were out of balance. I took it back to the shop and asked them about the balance and they said they balanced the wheels. I said where are the weights, he said he staticly balanced the wheel and that's why I couldn't see them. At this point I was ready to I said hey ******* I'm in the buisness and static balances means you only 1 planed the wheel assembly but to take it one step further I asked him to show me 1 weight on any wheel assembly. He did one of those I should have reported him to the B.A.R. but I didn't. He apologized balanced the wheels dynamicly and the car rode fine.... Never to go back there again!!! My mother'n'law now goes to the shops I recommend...

[Likecars]

I think I'll drop back by to chat with them. I was hoping this new very slight vibration would be resolved with a balance. Unfortunately, regardless of whether or not they actually balanced them, I still have this new problem.

[Titanequipped]

Originally Posted by Likecars

I think I'll drop back by to chat with them. I was hoping this new very slight vibration would be resolved with a balance. Unfortunately, regardless of whether or not they actually balanced them, I still have this new problem.

Yeah, have them fix it and do it right!!!!