How to balance your tires yourself


How To Balance Your Own Tires – Shine Armor

Taking care of your tires and making sure that they’re properly inflated, installed, and balancing is critical to the safety of your vehicle and yourself. 

Maintaining the balance of your tires isn’t all too complicated and can extend their lifespan and performance. You might be surprised at how easily they can be thrown off, which makes it important to check their balance regularly and know how to rebalance them. 

Coming to a sudden, harsh stop, hitting a noticeable pothole, or natural wear over time can all lead to your tires spinning out of balance. 

At Shine Armor, we care deeply about the safety, performance, and presentation of your vehicle, and we know you take pride in your car on the inside and out.

Here’s how to check if your tires are out of balance and what to do if they are. 

 

When Should You Balance Your Tires?

There are several ways to tell if your tires need maintenance. Whether it’s rebalancing, rotation or replacement, they’ll let you know if something is wrong. 

 

New Tires

Anytime you buy yourself a new set of tires, you want to make sure that they’re installed correctly, which includes checking and balancing them. 

You could do this yourself if you personally installed your new tires, but more often, this service is included when you have professionals do it at the shop. 

You also want to make sure that they hold on to that new tire shine as long as they can, which is extremely easy with our Graphene Tire Shine. Even if you’ve got a few years on them, we can help get them looking back to new. 

 

Vibrations or Noises

Unbalanced tires have a few ways of letting you know they’re not properly in place, and one of the most easily noticeable is a loud vibration sound. Not only will you hear it, but you’ll more than likely feel it as well. 

While vibrations can mean a couple of things when it comes to your tires, it never means anything good. If you’re hearing something coming from one of your tires, it could mean you have uneven tread wear or an imbalance problem. 

Typically vibrations from imbalanced tires will be more noticeable at speeds above 45 miles per hour. It’s important to monitor your tire health regularly. Every few weeks, take a moment to turn down the music and listen for anything out of the ordinary while driving. 

Lights in the Dash

Similar to the noise and vibrations, lights in the dash can mean any number of problems with your entire vehicle, not just your tires. 

Regarding your tires, there are two lights you want to keep an eye out for are the anti-lock braking system light and the low-pressure light. There isn’t one specifically for imbalanced tires, but these two will be enough to let you know something is wrong. 

The anti-lock braking system light is easy to identify since it’s just the letters “ABS,” and the low-pressure light looks like an exclamation mark inside of a little cup.  

If you have a car older than 2012 and you live in the United States, your car might not have an ABS light as they weren’t mandatory yet, so you’ll just be looking for the low-pressure light. 

 

Uneven Tread Wear

There are a few different types of uneven tread wear to be aware of, but we’re looking for patch-wear specifically for imbalanced tires. 

Patch-wear is random and patchy (hence the name), so when you’re checking your tire tread, make sure to go around the whole tire. 

Using a quarter, stick George Washington's head in between the treads. If you can still see the top of his head sticking out, that means that there’s less than 2/16th of an inch, and your tires have been worn down to the point when you should consider a new set. 

 

How Often Should You Balance Your Tires?

Letting your tires go without being balanced for too long can have dangerous and lasting consequences. Particularly the amount of uneven wear on our tread.

Your tires will wear down over time naturally, but if they develop patchy and erratic spots in the tread, they decrease your vehicle's performance, the traction power that they can have and lead to potential blowouts at high speeds. We’re sure we don’t have to tell you how unpleasant that would be. 

It’s recommended that you test your tire tread regularly, at least once every month or so. Then, rebalance your tires every ten to twelve thousand miles and get them rotated every other time. 

 

How To Balance Your Tires

There are three ways to go about balancing tires, but only one of them you’ll be able to do from home- Unless you have professional auto-mechanic machinery. 

We won’t spend too much time going over the techniques to balance tires that are mostly exclusive to the shop, but if you’re excited about learning something new, we’ll cover them briefly.

Generally speaking, balancing tires requires spinning or balancing the tires to determine if and where they aren’t balanced and then placing weights along the rim to adjust.

Road Force Balancing

Road force balancing is the future of tire balancing processes. It uses a high-tech machine that looks like a large rolling pin, which presses against your tire as it spins. 

The machine presses against the tire and detects even the smallest off-balance spots. It can determine the difference between healthy and unhealthy tread wear. 

It’s certainly the most accurate option, though not quite accessible from home. 

 

Dynamic Balancing

Another mechanic-only tactic for balancing is dynamic balancing. Dynamic balancing involves a machine that spins the tire at high speeds and feels where it's unbalanced and by how much, similar to the road force balancing. 

This technique isn’t as accurate as using the road force balancing, but it’s very easy for a mechanic to adjust the weights on your wheel fairly simply and quickly. 

 

Static Balancing

The process used at home is an older method, but it still works well.  

Static balancing uses an unmoving balancing post or spindle that the tire is placed on wheel-face up. In the center of the post is a small bubble and circle balance, the goal being to line up the bubble into the circle. 

If the wheel is unbalanced, then the bubble will clearly reflect that, and the user can adjust as necessary by attaching weights to the rim to counterbalance the offset. 

The process, from start to finish, goes as follows:

  1. Take your wheels off your vehicle. 
  2. Take off any weights that are currently on your wheel, so you’re starting with a blank slate. 
  3. Clean your wheels and tire to ensure that there isn’t any dirt or debris messing with the calibrations. Our Pristine Tire Shine Gel is a water-based compound with zero sling and is easy to apply to any tire if you’re looking for cleaner options. 
  4. Follow the instructions that come with your balancing post to set it up. You’ll need a solid floor to work on. The floor may not be level, but that’s alright as there will be small screws to calibrate the post. You want the bubble perfectly in the center of the circle before you put the tire on. 
  5. Place the tire onto the balancing post and wait for it to settle. Then, determine if the bubble is off-center, in what direction, and by how much. 
  6. Place weights onto the wheel around the lip flange, on the side, the bubble is closest to. Finesse the weights until the bubble is as perfectly center as you can manage. 
  7. Using chalk or a washable marker, make marks of where your weights are to help ease the process of attaching them. 
  8. Proceed to attach your weights following the instructions they came with. Some may require hammering onto the wheel lip, and others may be adhesive. Ensure that they are properly attached and will not come flying off at high speeds.

In Conclusion

Getting your tires rebalanced might cost between $50 and $100, but why not learn how to do it yourself? Using a static balancer, the process is certainly not that complicated, and you can get similarly accurate results as the fancy machines. However, if you have a hard time, you should take your wheels to the mechanic. 

Unbalanced tires can result in uneven tread-wear, suspension damage, and blowouts, so it’s definitely a problem that you want to be solved sooner or later. Otherwise, you might be picking out a new set of tires altogether, if not worse.

References:

ABS Anti-Lock Braking History | Drivespark

Balancing Post | Amazon

How Does Unusual Tread Wear Affect The Performance of Your Vehicle | Cashcarbuyer.com

How to Balance Car Tires Without a Balancer

Unless you’re an automobile mechanic, you probably know how to balance car tires without a balancer. Balanced tires ensure even weight distribution and optimal wear characteristics. Tires should be balanced at every oil change. This article will cover static balancing and other methods. It will also cover the importance of checking tire balance at every oil change and why you should consider balancing your car tires regularly.

Static balancing

There are a few different ways to balance your car’s tires. Static balancing is one of the most basic and is suitable for minor tire imbalances. To balance the tires manually, you place the wheel and tire assembly on a vertical supporter. This will enable you to measure the balancing of the wheel and tire on one axis. The weight on the heavier side of the tire will lean lower to the ground than the other. During this process, the mechanic will place a small weight 180 degrees across the plane of the tire to counterbalance the other side of the wheel.

While using a balancer is the most convenient way to achieve this, there are other methods that can be performed by an amateur driver. One of the simplest ways is to place equal weights on each side of the wheel. This can ensure that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the tire. If you can’t use a balancer, you can use a jack. You can also place a weight on a jack to level the car’s wheels.

Dynamic balancing, on the other hand, is a more complex technique. This process uses computer balancers to spin the wheel while measuring the weight on all three axes. The technician places the assembly on the balancer and spins it at certain speeds. The machine has sensors that detect any imperfections in the weights. The computer then specifies where to place the weights, and the balancer then calculates how much they should apply.

Performing tire balancing on a regular basis is the most effective way to ensure the weight distribution on the tires. Besides removing wobbling, this process also helps in improving fuel efficiency and extending the life of tires. It also reduces stress on the vehicle and ensures optimum tire wear. It’s easy to do and will save you time and money. In addition, you’ll get an expert’s opinion on the topic.

Other methods of balancing car tires

There are other ways to balance a car’s wheels without a balancer. The static balancing method involves adding weights to a single line of a tire. Static balancing is often the simplest method to use, especially in cases of light imbalance. The tire is placed on a vertical supporter and a spindle tool or bubble balancer is used to balance it. The heavier side will lean 180 degrees from the ground.

The Equal Flexx balancing compound is another method. The material, which is plastic or soft rubber, is injected into the tire‘s valve stem. The compound rebalances the tire assembly while it is in motion, so there is no need to dismount the tire. While equal-flexx does not require a balancer, it can be used on vehicles with all four wheels.

Another method is to add weights to a single line of a tire. These are easy to add and work well for light imbalance situations. Once the wheels are supported, the mechanic will add weights to one side of the tire to balance the car’s tires. In this way, the wheel runs true while still being balanced. The tire can be mounted back onto the car once it is balanced properly.

Regular wheel balancing improves fuel economy. Tire balancing reduces the wear and tear on the vehicle’s tires, which means lower fuel costs. Additionally, it prolongs the life of steering assemblies and axle end components. Regardless of the method, regular wheel balancing is important for a good ride. The Technology & Maintenance Council recommends that car owners balance tires regularly to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

Dynamic balancing is a method that uses computer-controlled spinning balancers to measure a tire‘s weight on all three axes. The technician places a fully-assembled wheel on a machine that spins at various speeds. The machine’s sensors measure the weight placement and determine whether it’s too heavy or too light. Small weights are then added to the inner and outer rims to correct the imbalance.

Checking tire balance at every oil change

The difference between wheel alignment and tire balancing is significant. Tires should be balanced at every oil change to ensure safety and smooth ride. An out-of-balance tire can contribute to early tire wear and can damage your car’s suspension. Getting your tires balanced on a regular basis will help prevent these problems and improve your car’s safety and handling. Here are a few tips on how to check the balance of your tires.

One way to check tire balance without a balanced balancer is to have a professional do it. A balancer spins the wheel at high speed to measure the mass of the tire. When this is done, a balancer will display the heaviest part of the tire. If the weight is uneven in one part of the tire, vibrations will be felt in the steering wheel.

If you do not have a balancer, then you may want to consider getting one. Tires that are not balanced can cause uneven wear, vibration, and other problems. You may even end up buying new tires. Taking your car to a mechanic for balancing will prevent you from needing new ones down the road. Also, balancing your car’s tires can help you identify underlying issues, such as wheel alignment and suspension problems.

Most vehicles should have a tire balance done at least once every 5,000 miles. A tire alignment job is a specialty of an automotive technician. Your vehicle’s alignment is based on the angles of the wheels on the car. Alignment technicians adjust the angles of the wheels to maintain proper balance. This adjustment can help prevent dangerous situations and extend the life of your tires. Your car’s alignment is another key element for safe driving. If you don’t have a balancer for every oil change, you may want to take your vehicle to a shop that specializes in alignment.

Unbalanced tires may cause your car to vibrate when you drive. It may also affect your gas mileage. The vibrations will cause your tires to wear out faster and can damage your suspension system. It may also lead to uneven wear on the sidewalls. If the wheels are not balanced, they may even cause a blowout. When you are driving at high speeds, the tires should be checked to ensure proper balance.

Imbalanced wheels

Tires can be out of balance for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, a vehicle is over-balanced, requiring a balancer to adjust the weights. Other times, a tire has uneven weight distribution and requires a tire mechanic to adjust the weights. Depending on the type of imbalance, there are different methods to balance a tire without a balancer. Some methods are listed below.

First, remove the weights from the wheels and clean them thoroughly. The wheels need to be thoroughly dry and clean before balancing. Once the wheels are clean, slide the balancer’s scale out of the bead edge. After a few seconds, turn the car off. The balancer will then automatically wake up and display the results. Once you’ve achieved a proper balance, install the balancing weights on opposite wheels.

If you feel vibrations while driving, you may have out of balance tires. These vibrations can be caused by a number of things, including out-of-balance tires, a bent wheel, and aging suspension parts. If you notice these vibrations, be sure to consult a car mechanic as soon as possible. An out-of-balance tire can also result in patch-wear, a type of random pattern of wear on the tire.

Regardless of the reason, tire imbalance is dangerous. Even the smallest imbalance can cause significant damage to your suspension and car. In addition to tire wear and damage, an out-of-balance wheel can drastically increase your vehicle’s treadwear. There are two types of imbalances: static and dynamic. Static imbalance occurs when a heavy spot is in the tire. Dynamic imbalance is when weight is uneven on both sides of the tire centerline. This imbalance causes side-to-side movements.

Tires should be balanced after you install new tires. Not only will a properly balanced wheel increase the life of the tires, but it will also lower the cost of replacements in the future. Even the slightest imbalance can also lead to vibrations and premature tire wear. Furthermore, it can lead to excessive heat and reduce the life of the tires. As with any work, safety should always be your first concern. Wear proper protective gear and follow instructions carefully.

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Balancing: how to do it right and what will happen if the wheels are not balanced at all

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  • Balancing: how to do it right and what will happen if the wheels are not balanced at all

Author: Kirill Savchenko

The modern car owner does not particularly go into the wheel balancing process. He perceives it as a kind of obligatory procedure for seasonal change of shoes and does not even realize how important its quality is. nine0013

In fact, the effects of the imbalance of a rotating body can be seen at home. Try tossing your sneakers into the washing machine and spinning it. The imbalance that appears in the drum will cause it to beat, and with an increase in speed, the washing machine will rumble and shake. Something similar happens with a car whose wheels are out of balance.

Suspension and wheel bearings, steering elements, even with an imbalance of 10-15 g, receive thousands of beats per minute with an amplitude of 0.1-0.3 mm. They may be imperceptible to the driver, but act like a concrete hammer. Inexorably destructive. In addition, the imbalance increases tire wear and makes it uneven. nine0011

Considering that the imbalance on each wheel is different, the car becomes less stable when driving at high speeds. It is harder to manage, and on a slippery or wet road, the situation can completely get out of control.

So, imbalance appears when the center of mass of the wheel does not coincide with the axis of rotation. It would seem that this cannot happen on absolutely new tires or disks, because they are made in compliance with all technological requirements.

Yes, it is, but in any case, the tire does not come out perfect during the manufacturing process. Some of it may be a little thicker and heavier, some thinner and lighter. We are talking about millimeters and grams, which simply cannot be determined. After mounting on a disk, which is also not ideal due to the same technological reasons, a single structure is obtained that has a common center of mass. That is why the wheel is balanced as an assembly. nine0011

If it were a conditional thin disk, then the balancing would be only static. In this case, it is enough to balance the opposite centers of mass: the minimum and maximum. But a car wheel is wide, and therefore it needs dynamic balancing, on the outside and on the inside.

This is done with the help of special lead or zinc balancing weights weighing 5-60 g. On stamped disks they are fastened with steel clips-latches, on light-alloy ones - with self-adhesive strips. It is impossible to correct the imbalance on your own. For this, special balancing machines are used. nine0011

They vary in design, from the simplest to those equipped with laser sensors. The latter allow you to determine not only the imbalance, but also the curvature of the disk or the violation of its geometry. In this case, the owner will be offered to repair the disc or may be denied balancing due to its impossibility.

But even the presence of such a machine in the tire shop will not give any guarantee that the wheels of your car will be balanced correctly. Firstly, the machine must be fixed on a solid, better concrete base and stand strictly horizontally. nine0011

Secondly, the correct data on the size of the tire and disk must be entered into its electronic unit, and the machine itself must not have wear in the rotating elements and be calibrated. Finally, the master must have the appropriate qualifications and experience - as practice shows, 90% of success depends on this factor.

For example, if a wheel requires a significant amount of weight, he should be aware that turning the tire around the rim can reduce the imbalance and less weight will be needed. True, not everyone follows this rule, and here's why. nine0011

Changing the position of the tire relative to the rim in order to reduce the mass of weights required for balancing does not always lead to the desired result (the result is not known in advance!).

At the same time, labor costs for balancing and, as a result, its cost increase significantly. At the same time, a very large amount of cargo on the wheel may indicate a low qualification of the worker. On the other hand, car manufacturers do not indicate the maximum weight used for balancing weights. nine0011

Ceteris paribus, the mass of weights required to compensate for unbalance will be minimal if they are installed at the maximum distance from the center of mass of the disk-tire system, i.e. on the bead flanges.

Installing weights closer to the center of mass of the "disc-tire" system (for example, in order not to spoil the appearance of the disk, the adhesive weight is placed on the inner surface of the rim) will inevitably lead to the need to increase their mass.

Also, the master must clean the tire from the smallest stones in the tread, and the wheel from adhering dirt. In case of deformation, be sure to inform the owner. nine0011

One of the most important things is mounting the wheel on the machine. In most cases, it is attached through the central hole of the disc. From the back, the wheel sits on a cone, and from the front it is fixed with a flange adapter and a clamping nut. This method increases the speed of the balancing process, but does not always provide perfect alignment.

Special Haweka adapters help to improve it. Their essence is that the wheel is clamped on the machine through the holes for the wheel studs. At the same time, the probability of damaging the paintwork of the rim is minimal. In addition, the adapter imitates an almost exact fit of the wheel on the hub and even the required tightening torque. In this case, the balancing accuracy will be higher. Flange adapters are available for various bolt patterns and can be used on any balancing machine. nine0011

After installing the weights of the desired mass in the places indicated by the machine, the verification procedure is carried out again. If necessary, weights are either added or removed, but their weight should not exceed 5 grams. The wheel is considered balanced if the readings on the instrument panel are zero.

So when and how often is wheel balancing necessary? As a rule, in the manuals for the operation of cars, balancing is recommended every 10-15 thousand kilometers. But this is provided that the wheels were not disassembled. nine0011

That is, if the same wheels are used when changing tires seasonally, balancing is required. It is also necessary if the car has driven several thousand kilometers on bad roads or there have been cases of a wheel falling into a hole. But in this case, not one wheel is balanced, but a pair standing on the same axle.

SHINSERVICE expert comment

Alexander Golubev

SHINSERVICE expert

Many drivers make the mistake of overhauling the suspension or replacing the power unit cushions when vibrations appear in the car. The first thing you should pay attention to is the cleanliness of the wheels and tires. Unevenly distributed adhering mud, snow, ice, tar stuck to the tire tread after driving on a road section being prepared for repair - all this can be the cause of imbalance. nine0011

The second important point is the mounting of the wheels. Each of them must be tightened to a torque in accordance with the recommendations of the automaker.

If everything is in order in this regard, then the wheel balance should be checked next. We advise you to do it only in proven specialized services, on certified equipment. And only if the measures taken have not yielded results, we recommend that you proceed to checking the setting of the front wheel angles and checking the condition of the suspension. nine0011

In any case, properly balanced wheels will avoid many problems in the future.

practice tires and wheels

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Do-it-yourself wheel balancing in the old fashioned way, on a machine and granules: how to check

Wheel balancing is one of the activities that ensure the stability of the car on the road and affect traffic safety. Many car owners believe that only service stations can do high-quality balancing. They are partly right, but it is not always possible to contact the masters, and it is impossible to delay the procedure. In this situation, you can do the balancing of the wheels with your own hands in a garage. There are ways to carry out this procedure without professional equipment. nine0011

Contents

  • 1 Why balancing is needed

  • 2 How often to carry out

  • 3 Signs of imbalance

  • 4 Balancing methods

    • 4.1 Without wheel removal

    • 4.2 On a homemade stand

    • 4.3 On machine

    • 4.4 Balancing with pellets

    • 4.5 Video: do-it-yourself wheel balancing

  • 5 Errors during procedure

Why balancing is needed

Uneven tire wear or disc damage lead to imbalance, that is, a violation of the distribution of the mass of the wheels relative to the horizontal and vertical planes. There are two types of unbalance:

  1. Static, when the axis of rotation shifts relative to the axis of inertia and starts to move the center of gravity up and down.
  2. Dynamic, when the axis of rotation intersects with the axis of inertia, disturbing the distribution of the mass of the wheel horizontally. The disc writes a figure eight while the car is moving. nine0004

There are two types of unbalance: static and dynamic

Unbalance causes the wheels to vibrate while driving. The imbalance of the wheels, especially when driving at high speed, impairs handling, increases the length of the braking distance, and leads to premature wear of the running gear.

Unbalanced wheels while driving at high speed cause loss of control. But even if the accident did not happen, constant vibration renders the hub bearing unusable, and over time, the entire suspension system of the vehicle breaks down. nine0011

The task of the procedure is to restore balance to the wheels during rotation. The result of balancing is a uniform distribution of the mass of the wheel relative to the axes of rotation.

How often to carry out

There are no clear and specific recommendations for all cars on the frequency of balancing. It all depends on the operating conditions of the vehicle, the condition of the wheels, and other factors. Experts recommend balancing:

  1. When changing tires. In reputable service stations, the procedure is included in the cost of the service for “changing shoes” for a car. nine0004
  2. If the wheel hits an object or falls into a hole. Such situations lead to damage to the disc and imbalance of the wheel.
  3. After 15000 km. During the season, few motorists wind up such a number of kilometers, so balancing when changing tires is enough for a standard car.
  4. Every 8000 km for lovers of aggressive driving style.
  5. Before traveling over 1500 km.

Signs of imbalance

The main signal of imbalance is the appearance of vibration. The intensity of the vibration transmitted to the passenger compartment depends on the degree of imbalance. Sometimes at speed the car starts to literally tremble with the whole body.

The nature of the vibration indicates which wheels are unbalanced:

  • the front ones give shocks to the steering wheel;
  • rears make the rear seats vibrate.

Other signs of imbalance are increased fuel consumption, tire noise while driving, uneven wear and regular flat tires. nine0011

Balancing methods

Using the advice of experienced drivers, you can independently carry out balancing in the old fashioned way without using a special machine. This will take more time than the master would spend in the service, but will save money.

If desired, wheel balancing can be carried out independently in the garage

To perform the procedure yourself, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • jack; nine0004
  • balancing weights;
  • chalk or marker;
  • set of keys.

Interesting! To balance wheels on cast or forged rims, it is advisable to purchase self-adhesive weights. But in winter, such weights can come unstuck from temperature changes.

Balancing weights required for balancing

Without wheel removal

Self balancing process consists of the following steps:

  1. Preparatory. The wheels are cleaned of dirt, stones stuck in the tires, the caps are removed, the pressure in the tire is lowered, and the old weights are removed. The jack is installed on one side of the vehicle, freeing 2 wheels. Check the free rotation of the wheels. If the wheel turns hard, you need to unpin it and loosen the hub nut.
  2. Light point definition. The wheel is rotated counterclockwise and waited for it to stop. Mark the top point. Then turn the wheels clockwise and again mark the top point. The middle between two marks is a light point. nine0004
  3. Installation of weights. With a hammer, weights weighing from 10 to 45 grams are stuffed onto the found point, starting with the lungs. After that, spin the wheel and wait for it to stop. The weights should be at the bottom. If it didn’t work out, light weights are removed and heavier ones are stuffed. It is not recommended to use more than 60 grams of cargo per wheel.
  4. Static balancing. As soon as after stopping the weights were at the bottom, they begin to move apart in different directions. The wheel begins to rotate and spread the weights. The purpose of the process is to ensure that the wheel stops in a different position each time. Once this starts to work out, the weight is distributed evenly, that is, a static balance is achieved. nine0004

In this sequence, carry out the procedure with each wheel. To check the correctness of the balancing performed, you need to drive a car for at least ten kilometers at a speed of more than 90 km / h. If there are no shocks and taps during movement, then everything is done correctly. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, specific shocks to the steering wheel appear.

For your own confidence, at the first independent balancing, you can undergo diagnostics at the service station. If the masters confirm that everything was done correctly, in the future you can do the procedure yourself. nine0011

Important! Self-balancing in the garage is only permissible in case of static imbalance. The elimination of dynamic imbalance requires the use of equipment. Experts recommend contacting the service if the car has worn tires and old bent wheels. It is impossible to balance such wheels without special equipment.

On a homemade stand

You can make the balancing process easier by making a homemade stand in the garage. In this case, you do not have to remove the brake pads from the wheel and loosen the stepped nut. nine0011

A self-made stand simplifies the wheel balancing process

The stand is assembled from an old hub with a working bearing. The hub is mounted on the frame in such a way that the wheel rotates freely, and the whole structure firmly rests on the surface. It is convenient to use vertical metal racks as a frame, between which the wheel is attached. Further balancing steps are the same as the previous method of performing the procedure.

Machined

Even an experienced motorist in the garage carries out balancing "by eye". Therefore, there can be no complete confidence in the correctness of the process. In specialized workshops, balancing is carried out on computer-controlled machines.

Modern workshops are equipped with CNC balancing machines

The machine consists of a cone-shaped support for mounting the wheel, a rotating electric motor and sensors. The wheel rotates during tire fitting, and at the same time the computer determines the vibration and pressure. The readings of the sensors help to accurately calculate the weight and installation location of the weights. nine0011

Workshops are equipped with two types of machines:

  1. Manual - on which the master measures the wheel with a ruler and manually enters the data.
  2. Automatic - information is read by sensors and displayed on the monitor in digital or graphical form.

According to the type of supports used, the machines are divided into:

  1. Soft, measuring wheel parameters, taking into account vibrations of the supports.
  2. Rigid, measuring pressure and rotor phase.

Interesting! On rigid machines, various parts can be tested, but the quality and accuracy of measurements for this reason is reduced.

Most modern shops are equipped with automatic balancing machines. The master puts the wheel on the shaft, clamps it with bolts and spins it. The sensors determine the points of end runout. The computer determines the intensity of the push and calculates the mass of the load that must be attached to the calculated point. The computer will also tell you if the wheel cannot be balanced. nine0011

Balancing with granules

One of the newest methods of wheel balancing is the use of special granules instead of weights. The essence of the technique is the filling of special granules into the tire, sliding during movement in the internal space. This free movement eliminates imbalance while moving at speed.

Modern wheel balancing techniques involve the use of a microbead.

The advantage of this method is that the granules are filled in once and they perform their intended function throughout the life of the tire. The disadvantage of this balancing method is the high cost of granules. Therefore, balancing in this way has not gained popularity at the present time. nine0011

Video: do-it-yourself wheel balancing

Errors during the procedure

If the balancing process is carried out in violation of technology, then the vibration problem will not be solved at best, and at worst it will further worsen. The most common errors:

  1. Balancing with dirt on the wheel. Additional imbalance can break even pebbles stuck in the tread. The overall picture, even on precise equipment, will be violated, and it will not work to bring the wheel to zero. nine0004
  2. Balancing a wheel with an incorrect tire or rim geometry. If the disk has even slight dents or distortions, it must first be rolled on a special machine. Straightening the disk with a hammer or other percussion instruments is unacceptable.
  3. Incorrect tightening of the hub bolt on the balancing machine. Excessive force will lead to a misalignment of the wheel, and the balance will be incorrect.
  4. Violation of the tire-to-disk installation technology. Often even experienced installers perform work in violation of technology. As a result, the wheel is given additional inertia. nine0004
  5. Violation of alignment during the installation of the wheel on the axle of the vehicle. This problem occurs due to a violation of the tightening order of the bolts. Even if a properly balanced wheel is installed out of alignment, it will vibrate.

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