My son works at a custom wheel and performance shop. They only use the Road Force balancers. It will tell you everything about the wheel and tire. 
Balancing tire/wheels
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,359
Likes: 2,728
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Balancing tire/wheels
Have any of you had any tire balance issues with any aftermarket wheels...NOT steel wheels? I have been doing some reading on the Garage Journal about this. Some guys have had success with vintage bubble balancers and dynamic balancers. Some balance the wheel by it's self, then with the tire on and have cured some issues. Some actually balance them on the car. This of course is done with some real vintage balancer. I'm having an issue with my left front, it seems to vibrate, but not at the same speed all the time. The tires shop is working with me on this, but I want to know more. 
Dennis
Dennis
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 139
From: Groton CT
Sometimes a broken shock will give the same symptoms. I saw a small pickup the other day who's right wheel was bouncing up and down off the pavement @ 30mph due to a dead shock absorber.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 804
From: Georgetown TX
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C2 of Year Finalist
Check for out of round tire. Even new ones. I will never by Pirelli again because of the number of out of round tires.
John
John
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
I had an issue with aftermarket wheels and new tires on a C-5. the technician had to do a "hi tech" balance. Meaning that he would rotate the tire on the rim to get the weight equally distributed. It took a long time and it wasn't perfect. I agree with John Z that Hunter makes the best equipment so I would check that out.
I also found the Cokler radial tires are terriably out of balance and need a lot of weight.
I also found the Cokler radial tires are terriably out of balance and need a lot of weight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,359
Likes: 2,728
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
My shocks are gas and the rebound/jounce is equal on both sides of the front. The tire shop owner cut his teeth on balancing etc. We are going to separate the tire and wheel, balance the wheel and then remount the tire, balance both and then check the balance on the car with an old school spinner motor. Dennis
Dennis
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,403
Likes: 1,192
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
A steel belted radial? Perhaps a broken belt. Many years ago I had a balance problem with a Michelin steel belted radial and that was the problem, balanced OK but had a vibration at speed.
Charles
Charles
