Lead wheel weights... Alternatives???
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Lead wheel weights... Alternatives???
I was wondering if you all knew about anything I could use besides lead wheel weights to balance my tires. They look ugly and mess up the wheels not to mention that they fly off after awhile and throw the balance off kilter.
Any products you all can recommend?
Any products you all can recommend?
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From: Central Coast of CA
Are you referring to the old style weights that clip on the rim, that fly off? Or are referring to the adhesive backed flat weights that are put on the inside of the rim (especially nice for aftermarket chrome/painted rims) that are hidden?
Stewart
Stewart
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From: Central Coast of CA
I haven't done much reading on them. The tire shop I always use hasn't had the old style clip on weights in years. They only use the adhesive backed flat weights that are applied to the inside of the rim, out of sight.
Stewart
Stewart
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Do those stay on or do they fly off after awhile?
Cargo Master
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From: The Great White North!
There was someone else on here that has put on some sort of bolt on balancers(I don't recall the name of them).
When I bought new tires last spring the shop suggested using the beads they put inside the tires when they install on rim. I think you can get kits also to add them thru the valves. I opted not to use anything and did have a small shimmy when in the 75mph range but have since worn that one off. To me the beads would seem the way to go because even when replacing to other rubber you could always reuse the beads, but I haven't used them myself.
When I bought new tires last spring the shop suggested using the beads they put inside the tires when they install on rim. I think you can get kits also to add them thru the valves. I opted not to use anything and did have a small shimmy when in the 75mph range but have since worn that one off. To me the beads would seem the way to go because even when replacing to other rubber you could always reuse the beads, but I haven't used them myself.
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From: Central Coast of CA
Haven't had any fall off of my Lightning, and I'll run that puppy over 120 at times.
Never had any come off of my Excursion either. But I've never had it over 120.
Stewart
Never had any come off of my Excursion either. But I've never had it over 120.
Stewart
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Interesting, I need to request these weights in lieu of the clip on style next time I have my tires rotated and balanced. Hopefully they have them.
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More Turbo
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Stewart_H has the right idea with the self-adhesive, sometimes called tape-a-wieghts. They adhere to the inside of the rim, centrifugal force pushes them tighter so they rarely come loose. In addition, they seem to balance more precisely.
That said, the proper weight should not fly off under normal usage. There are 2 types of clip on weights, one for steel wheels and another for alloy wheels. It sounds as if the shop balancing your wheels isn't using the correct weights for the application. Many shops only carry one variety or the other and use the same weight for both types of wheels. If you use the steel weight on alloys it will bend the clip open to fit over the rim on installation and won't fit tight. The alloy weight clip opening is too large for steel wheels and while it can be crushed tight, the fit is not tight. The end result in either case can be a tossed wheel weight and loss of balance.
Lou Manglass
That said, the proper weight should not fly off under normal usage. There are 2 types of clip on weights, one for steel wheels and another for alloy wheels. It sounds as if the shop balancing your wheels isn't using the correct weights for the application. Many shops only carry one variety or the other and use the same weight for both types of wheels. If you use the steel weight on alloys it will bend the clip open to fit over the rim on installation and won't fit tight. The alloy weight clip opening is too large for steel wheels and while it can be crushed tight, the fit is not tight. The end result in either case can be a tossed wheel weight and loss of balance.
Lou Manglass
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From: Austin, TX
There's something called Dyna Beads. Apparently you put them in the tire through the valve stem.
No personal experience though many motorcyclists swear by them.
Dyna Beads and Accessories
No personal experience though many motorcyclists swear by them.
Dyna Beads and Accessories
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There's something called Dyna Beads. Apparently you put them in the tire through the valve stem.
No personal experience though many motorcyclists swear by them.
Dyna Beads and Accessories
No personal experience though many motorcyclists swear by them.
Dyna Beads and Accessories
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From: central Louisiana
i have the balancing powder in my 39.5 Irok's it works prety good, i only feel a slight (and i mean slight) wobble around 47-50mph.......alot of tire places will put the powder in the tires that are over 35-37" tall. one bag per tire and you're good to go.
some truck drivers / tire guys will tell you to try golf *****............ yes i said golf *****. start with 3-4 and add till the wobble goes away, lol! i've seen as many as 12 in a big truck tire. i've never tried it, but people say it works!
some truck drivers / tire guys will tell you to try golf *****............ yes i said golf *****. start with 3-4 and add till the wobble goes away, lol! i've seen as many as 12 in a big truck tire. i've never tried it, but people say it works!
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
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From: Blue Hill Township
Yup, I figure who cares about the inside edge of the wheel. I also like to get the lifetime balance that the Firestone I usually purchase tires from offers. Their lifetime alignment is a good deal as well.