In the tire balancing process, a technician uses a highly calibrated balancer and then applies wheel weights (measured in ounces) to evenly distribute the weight of a tire and wheel assembly. This eliminates or minimizes any vibrations to ensure a smooth ride, while also reducing wear and tear on suspension components.
How do you balance a tire?
Balancing involves placing the wheel and tire assembly on a balancer, setting the center of gravity of the wheel, and rotating it to identify the position of the weight. To balance the tires, it is necessary to use a tire balancer, measure the weight of the unbalanced part and then add weights of lead on the opposite side.
How does a tire balancing machine work?
A tire mounted on a wheel is attached to a tire balancing machine. The wheel is spun while vibration measurements are taken. This tells the tech if the weight is spread evenly, how much weight to add and where on the wheel to attach it. If an imbalance is found, the technician may be able to rebalance and adjust the weights (adding more).
What happens when a tire is out of balance?
When a tire is out of balance, one area will be heavier than another. This causes the car to shake, which can be felt in the steering wheel and body of the vehicle. You may experience a vibration or steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds that get better when you slow down.
What is a tire balance service?
During a tire balance service, your tires and wheels are mounted onto a tire balancing machine. The machine spins the tire and wheel assembly to measure the imbalance, so that a technician can precisely install the correct tire weights to achieve a properly balanced wheel and tire assembly.
Why do tires lose balance?
Cold air causes regular tire deflation because of the way the air particles inside the tire contract. However, sometimes the tire can deflate so much that your tires become unbalanced. Another common reason for tire imbalance is the loss of a wheel weight.
What is wheel balancing?
Wheel balancing refers to the alignment between the weights of different tyres and wheels of a car. If the weight of one wheel plus tyre is different from the other, it causes wheel imbalance. And unbalanced wheels can impact the drive quality and damage the suspension of your car.
What is W heel balancing?
W heel balancing is the process of balancing the weight of a tire and wheel assembly so that it travels evenly at high speeds. Balancing requires putting a mounted wheel and tire on a balancer, which centers the wheel and spins it to determine where the weights should go.
What is a wheel balancer?
Instead you will need the use of a specialised machine called a “wheel balancer”. The wheel balancer makes wheel balancing a much simpler job. The wheel with tire is mounted onto the machine and is rotated at fairly high speeds to mimic how the wheel performs on the road.
What is the difference between tire balancing and wheel alignment?
Tire balancing is distinct from wheel alignment . Static balance requires the wheel center of mass to be located on its axis of rotation, usually at the center of the axle on which it is mounted. Static balance can be measured by a static balancing machine where the tire is placed on a vertical, non-rotating spindle.
Are tires ever perfectly balanced?
A perfectly balanced tire happens when weight is distributed equally around the entire circumference of the tire.
Do you need to balance your tires?
But just like correct inflation pressure, regular tire rotations and precise alignment, periodically balancing your tires is a part of proper tire maintenance. When new, during rotation intervals and certainly any time a vibration is detected, your tires should be inspected for proper balance.
How often should you Balance Your Wheels?
Balancing your wheels after the tires have just been mounted is a must, and you should do it regularly every time you do a tire rotation. Balancing your wheel can increases the life of the tires, and save your money in the long run.
Does wheel and tire balancing eliminate vibrations?
Vibrations can also be caused by a bent wheel, a damaged tire (which won’t be fixed by balancing), worn suspension parts or worn wheel bearings, so wheel and tire balancing may not eliminate all vibrations.
