How to Properly Balance Tires
Properly balancing a set of new tires is one of the most important steps during the installation process. A machine spins the rim and tire between 300 and 500 RPM. This machine locates the heavy spots in the tire then gives the mechanic one or two locations to place lead wheel weights. Inexperienced mechanics often have problems working a tire balancing machine, which can lead to vibration while driving the vehicle.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wheel balance machine
- Rim cone set
- Cone spring
- Wheel weights
- Wheel weight hammer/remover
- Rim cup/nut
- Rim width gauge
- Ratchet
- Socket set
- Torque Wrench
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Repair manual (Chilton's or Haynes)
Instructions
-
-
1
Loosen the lug nuts with a ratchet and socket on the wheel(s) that you want to balance.
-
2
Jack up the vehicle and secure it on jack stands.
-
-
3
Remove the lug nuts and the wheel(s) to be balanced.
-
4
Remove the old weights from the rim by prying them off with a weight hammer/remover.
-
5
Place a cone spring on the axle of the balancing machine. The spring is cone-shaped, and the wider end goes on the axle first.
-
6
Test the fit of each rim cone, a solid piece of metal in a cone shape, inside the center hole of the rim. The proper fit is when the rim sits about halfway down the cone.
-
7
Place the selected cone on the balancing machine's axle, wide end first.
-
8
Position the rim on the balance machine's axle until it sits on the cone.
-
9
Screw the rim cup/nut until it pushes the rim as far as it will go onto the axle.
-
10
Pull the rim diameter arm from the machine and place it directly below the lip of the rim. Hold it until you hear the machine beep.
-
11
Measure the width of the rim with a width gauge. Measure directly under the lip where the tire and rim meet. Enter the width of the rim by pressing the corresponding numbers on the balance machine's keypad.
-
12
Close the hood of the machine. The tire will begin to spin.
-
13
Open the hood after the tire stops spinning. You will see a diagram of the rim and tire on the screen with a mark and weight amount on one or both sides of the rim.
-
14
Place the amount of weight specified in the position indicated by the diagram with the wheel hammer.
-
15
Close the hood of the balance machine and allow the wheel to spin.
-
16
Open the hood after the tire stops spinning and read the screen to make certain there is no weight required. If no weight is required, the tire and wheel are properly balanced.
-
17
Place the wheels on the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
-
18
Raise the jack, remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.
-
19
Torque the wheels to manufacturer's specifications with the torque wrench and socket.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
There can be only one weight placed on each side of the rim.
References
- Photo Credit new tire image by Alex White from Fotolia.com
