Tire Balancing

[Steve 00RT/10]

I just had new rears installed today at a Michelin dealer. The original factory mount had both tape weights(outer) and clip-on weights(inner). The machine used today was a Hunter 9000. The guy doing the balancing said he could balance it without using the clip-on weights on the inner face. He preferred to do it that way--using only the tape weights on the outer face. Anyone have a comment on this method? Is this good enough or should the wheel be balanced inside and out?

Thanks--Steve

 

[Greg D]

Using balance weights on only one side of the rim is not the best way to balance a rim/tire assembly. More often than not, you'll get a vibration, especially on the front wheels where vibration is more perceptible than the rear wheels.

The preferred method to "dynamically" balance a wheel/tire assembly is the "two plane balance" where balance weights are used on both the inside and outside edges of the rim. This will eliminate side to side (wobble) imbalance and up and down (tramping) imbalance.

If you really want a smooth, vibration free ride, find a shop that has a Hunter GSP 9700.