Wheel balance is a likely cause of vibration in your vehicle. Tire and wheel imbalance can result in premature wear to the suspension and steering parts. Wheel imbalance can also cause issues with traction loss and a cupped tire wear pattern. Wheel balancing is a critical part of maintaining the life of your tires, as proper wheel balancing ensures you have a smooth and vibration-free drive. Your tires are the most abused parts of your vehicle, where they are in constant connection with the roads while also undergoing the stresses of braking and acceleration loads. Our auto repair shop strives to keep your wheels and tires in the utmost condition so that you can stay safe and keep control of your vehicle.
What is Wheel Balance?
Wheel balancing is balancing the weight of a tire and wheel assembly so that it travels evenly, even at high speeds. Wheel balancing issues can be caused by issues in manufacturing or just from normal wear and tear. New tires generally have minor imbalances from the factory that are easily correctable by adding a wheel weight. Balancing requires putting a mounted wheel and tire on one of our balancers. This machine spins the wheel to determine where the weights should go. The goal of a wheel balance is to ensure the weight is distributed evenly throughout the wheel. Even if the difference in weight is minor, it will create a vibration in the vehicle when there is enough momentum. This is uncomfortable and dangerous, which is why we fix these issues for you at our auto repair shop.
Types of Wheel Weights
There are two types of wheel weights that auto repair shops use to balance your vehicle’s wheels. Firstly, we use clip-on weights, which clip to your rim and add weight to that specific part of the tire. These weights are:
- Fast to attach
- Expensive
- Visible on the wheel when placed outside
Whereas the other type of weight we use is a stick-on weight. These weights are:
- Slower to install
- Cheaper
- Adhesive can wear off
Indicators You Need a Wheel Balance
Tires can become imbalanced due to uneven tire wear, improper inflation, or road debris buildup on the tires. As you drive, your vehicle might have an imbalance as this causes bouncing or shaking and affects the vehicle's overall handling. This is a safety hazard as you want to have complete control over your vehicle at every moment and can react appropriately to hazards. It is easier to tell when the front tires need to be balanced than the rear due to how the suspension and steering components work.