Why does no one balance tires on the car anymore? Did this stop because of FWD? I've had tire vibrations, in years past, that an off the car tire balancer couln't find but the on the car balancing solved. TIA
A wheel balancing question
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I know of a couple shops that can do on-car tire balancing. But they are long-established independent businesses that have very experienced employees.
Definitely a step above the large national chain store that has employees that have never heard of a torque wrench, or the concept of being careful when pounding the wheel weights onto the lip of your wheels.
But I digress. It is a bit of a lost art it seems.
Definitely a step above the large national chain store that has employees that have never heard of a torque wrench, or the concept of being careful when pounding the wheel weights onto the lip of your wheels.
But I digress. It is a bit of a lost art it seems.
Once you remove the tire/wheel from the hub where it was balanced, you lose the integrity of the whole assembly. With the advent of more capable off-car balancers like the Hunter 9700, balancing on-the-car just doesn't seem necessary anymore. I know from personal experience 30 years ago when I had a brand new Pontiac which only drove smooth when the dealership mechanic balanced the tires on-the-car. Even he told me that they'll lose balance the first time I rotate the tires.
Nowadays, the OE wheels on designed to pilot on the center hub which basically solves the problem of the wheel being centered. This is not always true for aftermarket wheels which require a hub ring to properly center the wheel.
But aside from balance there is "out of round" - or more techncally "uniformity" - that affects the vibrational characteristics of a tire (and wheel). Many tire shops are still using balancers that only do balance - and most of the time that is adequate. But the more up to date shops use the Hunter GSP97000 which also measures loaded run out and that machine will solve nearly all vibrational problems.
However, from time to time, the other rotating components at the wheel end - rotors, hub, etc - will have a balance problem that those machines will not address. This is where the on-car balance comes in.
But as has been pointed out, moving the tires (and wheels) will change things and the vibration will resurface.
But aside from balance there is "out of round" - or more techncally "uniformity" - that affects the vibrational characteristics of a tire (and wheel). Many tire shops are still using balancers that only do balance - and most of the time that is adequate. But the more up to date shops use the Hunter GSP97000 which also measures loaded run out and that machine will solve nearly all vibrational problems.
However, from time to time, the other rotating components at the wheel end - rotors, hub, etc - will have a balance problem that those machines will not address. This is where the on-car balance comes in.
But as has been pointed out, moving the tires (and wheels) will change things and the vibration will resurface.
I would think on some vehicles it would be impossible to perform an on the car balance. Anything with AWD, even with the car off comes to mind.
Originally Posted By: 02SE
I know of a couple shops that can do on-car tire balancing. But they are long-established independent businesses that have very experienced employees.
Definitely a step above the large national chain store that has employees that have never heard of a torque wrench, or the concept of being careful when pounding the wheel weights onto the lip of your wheels.
But I digress. It is a bit of a lost art it seems.
I used to have a tire shop that did that, they got every bit of my tire and under car maintnace buiness. i went over there the other day only to find out they were under new management/ownership and the new managers were IDIOTS. It was a very sad day for me.
I know of a couple shops that can do on-car tire balancing. But they are long-established independent businesses that have very experienced employees.
Definitely a step above the large national chain store that has employees that have never heard of a torque wrench, or the concept of being careful when pounding the wheel weights onto the lip of your wheels.
But I digress. It is a bit of a lost art it seems.
I used to have a tire shop that did that, they got every bit of my tire and under car maintnace buiness. i went over there the other day only to find out they were under new management/ownership and the new managers were IDIOTS. It was a very sad day for me.
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