Weights to balance ?

[Cressida]

I was doing a deep clean before winter and noticed these weights on the inside of the wheel. You can see there are ~12 white weights all in a row, and then there is the one clip-on weight (probably ¾ oz.) an inch or two higher up.

Where those ~12 white weights in a row to initially balance the wheel and then the small clip-on weight added to balance the tire (and wheel assembly) after the tire was mounted? I assume that is how it works. If so then the single small clip-on weight at top should be removed before balancing a different tire; but all those other weights should stay in their position and are normally never changed or removed – correct ?

 

[bdcardinal]

Nope, they are supposed to all be removed before changing tires so they can start fresh.

 

[The_Jeff]

If it were my wheel I'd prefer the crimpy ones so it doesn't get marred by scraping off the old sticky weights.

Either works. The crimpy weights are also theoretically better because they're closer to the outside so it'll take fewer of them to have the same effect. Could be the tire shop ran out of one style or they put the sticky weights on, re-spun the assembly, then dialed it in 100% by moving the crimpy one around.

That's honestly a neat rim setup-- seems like that lip is designed for the sticky weights.

 

[Japanese]

If so then the single small clip-on weight at top should be removed before balancing a different tire; but all those other weights should stay in their position and are normally never changed or removed – correct ?

That is question that the tire installer has to figure out. They always remove all old weights because they were associated with the weight of the old tire. Then they spin the new tire and decide where and how much new weights it needs. Those weights are glued to the rim with some strong double sided adhesive. So don't attempt to remove them because you may scratch the rim. They have special tool to do it.

 

[The_Jeff]

It's the tires that contribute to being out of balance. I've spun up naked wheels and they've only needed 0.25 oz at most. That is, unless they're very bent. If you broke your bead and rotated the tire on the wheel the balance weights needed would nearly follow.

 

[Cressida]

I'm glad I asked about this and thanks for the help everyone.

I'm pretty certain now that the "Hey José" tire shop that installed the tire did not install or remove those ~12 white weights. They just added the small clip-on weight. Who knows what or how many weights would have been needed if the white ones had been removed first? I think next time I will need to ask that they be removed, try to carefully remove them myself (which I've never done), or just use another tire shop. The tire has been running as smooth as can be so I can't complain about the overall balance.

 

[Chris142]

I would remove all the weights then spin the tire on the wheel 180 then balance

 

[MaximumMini]

Anyone else use one of those cheap Harborfreight bubble balancers?

I bought one a year or so back and had very low expectations but dog gone if with a little common sense and patience, I've gotten some of the smoothest high speed tires ever....beating out a LOT of tire shop high speed balancers in ride quality at highway speeds.

Now days I balance ALL my tires with that thing and the ride is ultra sooth and bounce / vibration free. No cupping or ridging on the tires over time. Shirley if I can do it, some of you use that bubble balancer better than I can. It isn't rocket science. Just mostly common sense (and a good pair of magnifying glasses to see the bubble clearly)

For re-balancing, I usually throw a rim and tire on the balancer and check the balance THEN remove/add/reposition weights as needed.
With new tires I remove all the weights and start fresh.

 

[CapriRacer]

Sorry, but those white weights are behind the spokes so they can't be seen instead of being visible. There are more of them because they are at a smaller diameter and closer to the centerline of the wheel.

In other words, the assembly has been dynamically balanced, not the wheel and tire separately.

 

[dubber09]

Good balancing machine will show where to put the weights, outer rim, inner rim or center. Larger rock stuck in a tire can throw balance off. Wheel needs to be rechecked after applying weights, then another small weight may need to be added and there is a chance it had to go where the clip on is. 1/4oz off balance may be ignored by some shops and techs.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Before I put a new set of tires on, I always clean the rim of any brake dust or asphalt chunks, and take off all the weights. I don't trust the shops where I live in NY to remove the existing weights. I've seen what they do, they just spin it and add more weights. Then the final balance would always be off a tad.

 

[JohnnyG]

If they run smooth, don't mess with them. Next time you need a tire replaced, THEN you can have the weights removed and start from scratch.

Almost everybody I know recommends Road Force Balancing.

 

[MParr]

Yeah, the stick on weights should have been removed before balancing.
The clip on type weights are usually hammered on to the inside edge of the rim.
The stick on should normally be as close to the outside of rim as possible. They will usually be hidden behind the spokes.
Road Force machine would be the best.

 

[CapriRacer]

OK, just so everyone knows.

Clip-on weights come in a variety of shapes to fit the many types of flange configurations. I have some charts I stole:

Barry's Tire Tech - Wheel Weight Charts

There are so many kinds that I don't think it is unusual for a tire shop to only stock the 2 types of stick-on weights to avoid having so many types of clip-on weights.