Why Put Balance Weights On The Outside?

[g4hlf]

Hi all,

 

Why do Ford fit the wheel balance weights to the outside of the alloy RIM on the Galaxy?

 

This seems crazy to me and it is likely to cause damage to the alloy and makes them more difficult to keep clean.

[adrianf.]

Its because that is where the weight is needed.

 

A lot of wheels also have them on the inside.

[seatkid]

A precisely balanced tyre will often have weights on both the inside rim and outside rim - they may be different weights and positioned differently. A tyre should be balanced on 2 axes.

 

You may also be referring to the fact weights can be clipped on the rim (as on steel tyres) or glued to the inner surface (as on some alloys) - in which case its just manufacturers preference.

Edited September 20, 2007 by seatkid

[adrianf.]

Its bloody annoying when it damages the alloy though.

 

I currently have two alloys that have the laquer come off because of where the the weights were positioned before i had new tyres fitted.

 

Maybe its just a bad finish to the wheels but i wouldnt have thought the weight should cause it.

[g4hlf]

Its bloody annoying when it damages the alloy though.

 

I currently have two alloys that have the laquer come off because of where the the weights were positioned before i had new tyres fitted.

 

Maybe its just a bad finish to the wheels but i wouldnt have thought the weight should cause it.

 

My Mark2 Galaxy never had balance weights clipped to the rims during the 80,000 mile I had it for.

 

The Mark3 Galaxy has one weight on each wheel clipped to the RIMs.

 

Why?

[seatkid]

My Mark2 Galaxy never had balance weights clipped to the rims during the 80,000 mile I had it for.

Why?

Maybe they were clipped on the inside rim or stuck on the inner surface.

or.....

Must have had "perfect" wheels and "perfect" tyres - very rare. Most cars (95%+) have balance weights on their wheels somewhere

 

NB most ultra low profile tyres/wheels will have stick on weights rather than clip on - for obvious reasons I think....

[Smilge]

Its bloody annoying when it damages the alloy though.

 

I currently have two alloys that have the laquer come off because of where the the weights were positioned before i had new tyres fitted.

 

Maybe its just a bad finish to the wheels but i wouldnt have thought the weight should cause it.

 

My Mark2 Galaxy never had balance weights clipped to the rims during the 80,000 mile I had it for.

 

The Mark3 Galaxy has one weight on each wheel clipped to the RIMs.

 

Why?

 

Because the company who fit the tyres to the rims are on commission. So, to take the wheel off the balance kit to fit a weight wastes time and therefore money. :16: I had to remind my local tyre fitters to stick the weights on the inside of the wheels ...... answer ...... tut

[mumof4]

wheel balance weights???..what on earth are those???..never heard of them.....time for a google me thinks.

[adrianf.]

wheel balance weights???..what on earth are those???..never heard of them.....time for a google me thinks.

 

 

Eh

[seatkid]

wheel balance weights???..what on earth are those???..never heard of them.....time for a google me thinks.

MO4, This photo shows a clip-on balance weight, balances the wheel to stop it vibrating or "wobbling" at speed. Can be bigger, depending how far "out of true" the wheel/tyre is. A computerised balancing machine at the tyre depot, works out how much weight is required and where to put it.

Edited September 20, 2007 by seatkid

[mumof4]

Ahh..thank you sk for that..much appreciated.Didnt know there were such things. :D

[mikeohope]

When I took my Galaxy to get a new tyre at a small independent tyre centre the fitter told me that on vehicles the isze of a Galaxy inside and outside balancing was critical to eradicate wheel wobble issues.

 

So not only was the tyre I replaced (Firestone) much cheaper than the likes of Kwik Fit and ATS etal, I also got a steeringwheel vibration problem solved as well. The guy balanced the other side as well for no extra charge and the difference it made to the handling was well worth the small issue of a visible weight on the outside of the wheel.

[mk2vr6]

Because the company who fit the tyres to the rims are on commission. So, to take the wheel off the balance kit to fit a weight wastes time and therefore money. I had to remind my local tyre fitters to stick the weights on the inside of the wheels ...... answer ...... tut

 

why do they take the wheel off the balancer to stick or clip on the weight? every time i have seen it it done the fitter spins the wheel on the machine to get the reading to see the place where the weight should be added,in most cases its a cost and time thing to use clip on weights, as they have to clean the wheel to get the weight to stick on properly, and if if it doesnt you end up having to go back and have them balanced again so the fitter prefers clip ons as they dont fall off so often

[angusuk]

the best way to ballance wheels is say it needs 30g is to put a tapon 15g on the inside and 15g on the outerside inline, or use 30g stickon (best for allloys)and try and place it in the centre.

[seatkid]

Someone using the balance machine correctly will balance inner and outside independently, i.e. in 2 dimensions leading to different weight and positions inside edge and outside edge

[jkspoff]

The stick on weights seem the best, least damaging and almost invisible from the outside, in the past the tyre fitter has stuck these quite close to the inner section of each wheel, and they have always been balanced when I've watched with the machine.

[Johnny B Goode]

:) When i`ve had new tyres fitted to alloys in the past I`ve always asked them to stick the weights on the inside only. .. .and a good tyre fitter can do this with no problem.

[angusuk]

yes your right and any tyre fitter can fit the weights on the inner or outer side but the best way if possible is 50% on each side inline which some auto's need or they shake like hell.and most electric ballance machines should be calibrated atleast once a week.