Nissan 370Z Forum  

Wheel Balancing Weights

I had my rear tires replaced a few weeks ago and just noticed while cleaning the wheels that there were only 2 balancing weights on one wheel and none on

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Wheels & Tires


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-13-2010, 10:01 AM   #1 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Cmike2780's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 5,059
Drives: slowwww
Rep Power: 28
Cmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Wheel Balancing Weights

I had my rear tires replaced a few weeks ago and just noticed while cleaning the wheels that there were only 2 balancing weights on one wheel and none on the other.

Is it possible that the weights were not neccessary? that after mounting the tire, it was perfectly balanced? It's kind of hard to tell just from driving because its the back wheels. Would you feel vibration in the steering wheel if its the back wheels? With the roads in NY, its hard to tell if its the road or the tires. Basically, I'm not sure if this is normal, or if the tire shop just did a crappy job of balancing.

Should I spend the money to have it re-balanced? I would go back to where I had it installed, but I had an argument with the guy for scratching up my wheels and would rather not go back.
__________________
[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Cmike2780 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 10:08 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
SoCal 370Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: US of A
Posts: 2,842
Drives: Answers
Rep Power: 33
SoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Do any of the rims and tires shake? If not, you're okay. Had you waxed the inside of your rims prior to balancing? I did that, and one time I threw almost all the new weights as they did not clean the rims when they installed the new weights (they looked clean to them, and they were, but they were coated with wax). I now strip all my rims of weights and wax before having new tires installed.
__________________
( Click to show/hide )
SoCal 370Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 10:08 AM   #3 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
m4a1mustang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 55,385
Drives: on two wheels
Rep Power: 6962
m4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond repute
Default

It's definitely possible. If the wheel was out of balance you would feel it at highway speeds.
__________________
- Steve
MAZOC Meet Thread
Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!)
LIKE us on Facebook!
m4a1mustang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 10:24 AM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

if they were match mounted it's possible.

but it's also possible it fell off. this is why i wipe down the inside of the wheels (and remove the weights, center cap, valve cap) before going to the tire shop to get tires mounted.

and press down on the weights before i take it out for a spin.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 10:42 AM   #5 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Chupacabra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Weston, Florida
Posts: 477
Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6
Rep Power: 200
Chupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond reputeChupacabra has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I had this same issue, so i asked...

what happens is "high" end tires usually come with a red dot of paint or yellow, or both, marking the high point on the tire based on harmonics. what these guys do is then make sure this red dot on the tire lines up with the shrader valve on the wheel, which is the low harmonic point of the wheel. if there is no red dot, they use the yellow. and gets you an almost perfect balanced wheel.



But I had my guys balance the tire, and all of the sudden weights where needed... so in my opinion these guys are just getting lazy with the whole balance part, and figured out that if the dot system works just run with it.
__________________
Where are my aluminum pedals?
Chupacabra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 10:47 AM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
SoCal 370Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: US of A
Posts: 2,842
Drives: Answers
Rep Power: 33
SoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond reputeSoCal 370Z has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chupacabra View Post
But I had my guys balance the tire, and all of the sudden weights where needed... so in my opinion these guys are just getting lazy with the whole balance part, and figured out that if the dot system works just run with it.
You're right, they are lazy. A good shop will break the bead on tire/rim and shift the weight of the tire around to reduce the balance weights on the rim.
__________________
( Click to show/hide )
SoCal 370Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 11:02 AM   #7 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Cmike2780's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 5,059
Drives: slowwww
Rep Power: 28
Cmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I always wondered what the dots were for.

I'm gonna look for a newly paved road to get a better feel for any wheel shake.
At what speed is reasonable? Would you feel it at 60mph? 80mph?
__________________
[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Cmike2780 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 11:52 AM   #8 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z View Post
You're right, they are lazy. A good shop will break the bead on tire/rim and shift the weight of the tire around to reduce the balance weights on the rim.
if the marking on the wheel was lost then it might be difficult for them to find it i guess. the valve stem is not guaranteed the heaviest part of the wheel.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 02:22 PM   #9 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 238
Drives: 2010 MB ZR sport pkg
Rep Power: 15
370Z_Fan is on a distinguished road
Default

Wait! Which weights are you referring to? The rims come from the factory with these little square weights attached on the inside of each rim. Are those what you're talking about???
370Z_Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 02:24 PM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Cmike2780's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 5,059
Drives: slowwww
Rep Power: 28
Cmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 370Z_Fan View Post
Wait! Which weights are you referring to? The rims come from the factory with these little square weights attached on the inside of each rim. Are those what you're talking about???
correct.
__________________
[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Cmike2780 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2010, 07:34 PM   #11 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 302
Drives: PW 370Z
Rep Power: 16
Neo187H is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmike2780 View Post
I always wondered what the dots were for.

I'm gonna look for a newly paved road to get a better feel for any wheel shake.
At what speed is reasonable? Would you feel it at 60mph? 80mph?
If the rear wheels are out of balance you'll never feel it in the steering wheel, you will only feel it in the front wheels as they are directly connected to the steering wheel.

As far as the weights go, its entirely possible that the wheel didn't take any weights, you see it every so often. Two weights is actually the MOST I would say is acceptable to be on the wheel. One the inner most part of the barrel and one on the outter most part behind the actual face of the rim. That would be dynamic balancing, weights on only one place on the inside of the rim are only static balanced and although most of the time you wont actually feel the difference it is an inferior way of balancing the wheel.

Last edited by Neo187H; 09-13-2010 at 07:37 PM.
Neo187H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2010, 01:04 PM   #12 (permalink)
Base Member
 
jayhuffdaddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southeast
Posts: 200
Drives: P/G 2010 370Z
Rep Power: 15
jayhuffdaddy will become famous soon enough
Default

I took my tire in to Discount tire to get a patch repair. I'm washing the car now and notice that the wheel that was fixed are missing weights. I know this because the adhesive is still on the rim where the weights were. Should I be worried, or did they probably just rebalance the tire.
jayhuffdaddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2010, 04:38 PM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Cmike2780's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Long Island
Posts: 5,059
Drives: slowwww
Rep Power: 28
Cmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond reputeCmike2780 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

They removed the tire, so it would have had to be re balanced.
__________________
[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Cmike2780 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
This was probably ask wheel sizes weights cossie1600 Wheels & Tires 4 04-30-2010 12:46 AM
Balancing? Vengence Engine & Drivetrain 1 08-24-2009 10:36 PM
Corner Balancing - Why No One Talks about it???? cab83_750 Brakes & Suspension 15 07-13-2009 04:49 PM
SSR Wheel weights. The_Zed_car Wheels & Tires 2 06-05-2009 12:49 PM
Corner balancing in socal.. TerribleONE Brakes & Suspension 6 02-04-2009 01:14 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2