How to Use a Bubble Balancer

A bubble balancer works just like a level for your tires.

A bubble balancer is the old fashioned way to balance automotive tires. Most modern garages and tire shops use the much more precise technique of spin balancing, but older bubble balancers are still capable of doing an adequate job. They are essentially modified leveling devices for tires, and work under the same principle that a bubble level uses. When the tire is properly balanced, the bubble on the balancer will be directly in the middle of a marked bubble indicator, exactly the way a bubble in a level will show a level surface.

Things You'll Need

• Automotive balancing wheel weights Hammer

Instructions

1. Inflate a tire on a rim to the proper air pressure as indicated on the sidewall.

2. Place the center rim hole onto and over the bubble balancing cone. This cone will be tapered and will allow the rim hole, on virtually any tire, to fit securely onto the cone.

3. Read the bubble indicator at the center of the balancing cone. In virtually all cases, the bubble will be floating well off to the side to show an unbalanced tire.

4. Balance the tire by making the bubble move directly to the center of the indicator. Pick up two wheel weights and place them on the side of the tire that is closest to the bubble. This will slightly tip the tire upward and cause the bubble to move towards the center of the indicator.

5. Move the weights along the side of the rim until the bubble is directly centered. This will be a trial-and-error procedure, as you may have to use heavier or lighter weights while positioning them at various places around the tire. When the bubble remains directly at the center of the indicator, you will have found the correct position and weight distribution.

6. Use your hammer to secure the weights to the rim in the exact positions that you have determined. Most automotive weights have rim clips that pound easily onto the rim edge. Some weights are self-adhesive and can literally be stuck into place.

7. Flip the tire over onto the bubble balancer, and repeat the procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Always work with two weights at a time. This gives you flexibility to move them around the rim for precise bubble balancing.

• Always lock the balancer before putting a tire and rim onto the balancing cone.

References

• ZU Wharrie: Using a Bubble Balancer
• T Pub: Fugure 8-45, Bubble Balancer