4 new tyres fitted, no balancing weights
Discussion
I had 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1's fitted to my car earlier this week. I can feel (not see) a slight vibration through the steering wheel at speed that I don't recall being there before (though I simply might not have noticed it). I took one of the front wheels off yesterday to check the ABS sensor (intermittent error, gone now) and noticed there were no weights on the wheel. Checking the other wheels through the (5) spokes I cannot see a single weight stuck to any of them. Before I take all the wheels to confirm (and call the mobile fitter to come back and balance them) I was wondering what the chances are that all 4 wheels are perfectly balanced with no weights?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Limpet said:
If you can't feel any wobble or vibration, I'd leave them well alone.
Thing is I think I can feel a slight vibration but its not enough to be visible.lostkiwi said:
Almost zero.
That's what I thought.lostkiwi said:
He hasn't hidden the weights behind the spokes has he?
Not from what I could see but I only looked at the bottom half of the wheels 
I think I'll whip them off tomorrow for a closer inspection if can't feel any with a quick fondle 
It is possible but very rare, I have fitted tyres that don't need any weights added according to the balancing machine.
I wouldn't expect all four wheels to be that way though.
PS if you can feel a wobble through the wheel at certain speeds then most likely the wheels are not balanced, if the wheel is visibly wobbling you jabe problems !
I wouldn't expect all four wheels to be that way though.
PS if you can feel a wobble through the wheel at certain speeds then most likely the wheels are not balanced, if the wheel is visibly wobbling you jabe problems !
Edited by Jimmyarm on Friday 7th October 22:16
CaptainMorgan said:
I dunno how true it is, my mate used to fit tyres, he said there was a mark/line on the tyre, if the wheel was straight and you lined it up fairly well with the valve there was a good chance of balancing it up/using minimal weights. Any truth in it?
Have a google about yellow and red dots on the tyre walls and see of you can work it out.The check your tyres next time they get changed.
Jimmyarm said:
Have a google about yellow and red dots on the tyre walls and see of you can work it out.
The check your tyres next time they get changed.
After a bottle and a half of wine it'd most likely be easier for you to tell me? The check your tyres next time they get changed.
Edit: Googled it, seems he was right?
Edited by CaptainMorgan on Friday 7th October 22:57
I bought two Dunlops from blackcircles and had them fitted locally at a place I had not used before. I was impressed that they had Placed the yellow dots alongside the valve holes and that only small weights (5g?) were needed.
When I needed another pair I went back to the same place. One tyre was correctly mounted, the other was not. It required a larger weight (20g+?) to balance it.
I wondered about the red dots on the rims of my works Ford Ranger for several years before stumbling across the tyre bible and learning the reason they were there.
When I needed another pair I went back to the same place. One tyre was correctly mounted, the other was not. It required a larger weight (20g+?) to balance it.
I wondered about the red dots on the rims of my works Ford Ranger for several years before stumbling across the tyre bible and learning the reason they were there.
Tango13 said:
Fastpedeller said:
Tango13 said:
The rear wheel on my bike is forged alloy and is machined all over so providing the tyre has been lined up correctly with the valve weights aren't required.
Really?
The front needs the odd weight due to the discs but the rear is almost perfect.
Personally I've had between 0 and 100g on the same wheel between tyres. I'm not sure how a forged wheel can compensate for this?
Some tyres brands do seem to need less weight than others. Bridgestone typically don't need much...
Is there a coloured dot on the tyres (either side) - does this by chance line up with the valve?
The yellow dot indicates the 'light spot' of the tyre, where it is marginally thinner than the rest of the tyre. If this is lined up with the heavier part of the wheel (where the valve is), this will minimise or possibly eliminate any balance weights required.
I was told this ages ago by a tyre fitter but wasnt sure if true or not - but does appear on the tyre bible - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html
The yellow dot indicates the 'light spot' of the tyre, where it is marginally thinner than the rest of the tyre. If this is lined up with the heavier part of the wheel (where the valve is), this will minimise or possibly eliminate any balance weights required.
I was told this ages ago by a tyre fitter but wasnt sure if true or not - but does appear on the tyre bible - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html
One of the local eastern European car washes had a habit of blowing the weights off the wheels on the front of my Range Rover.
Usually I'd notice about a few days later when I took it up an A road or Motorway. Stopped using them.
If your wheels aren't balanced then there is often specific speeds at which it will manifest itself the most. Try taking it for a blast up the motorway. If you can't feel it at higher speeds I wouldn't worry. if you can, then get him back to balance them.
Usually I'd notice about a few days later when I took it up an A road or Motorway. Stopped using them.
If your wheels aren't balanced then there is often specific speeds at which it will manifest itself the most. Try taking it for a blast up the motorway. If you can't feel it at higher speeds I wouldn't worry. if you can, then get him back to balance them.
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