Tire Balancing Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Tire Balancing Question
Should the trim rings on my 73 rally wheels remain on the wheel for tire balancing? All the alignment shops I've been to over the years remove the trim rings it just seems they should remain on the wheels and the balancing weights should be installed on the backside of the wheel. I realized the sombrero covers have to be removed but why the trim rings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
I highly doubt that there is any significant moment weight imbalance in a trim ring. Any tiny imbalance that there may be would most likely have no perceptible effect on overall wheel/tire balance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,225
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi gr8,
When the wheels were originally balanced at St.Louis any weights needed WERE placed on the rear side of the wheel so their placement wouldn't interfere with the 4 clips on the trim rings.
The trim rings weren't on the wheels. They weren't even installed at St.Louis, but were stowed in the car's rear compartment for shipping to the dealer.
Regards,
Alan
When the wheels were originally balanced at St.Louis any weights needed WERE placed on the rear side of the wheel so their placement wouldn't interfere with the 4 clips on the trim rings.
The trim rings weren't on the wheels. They weren't even installed at St.Louis, but were stowed in the car's rear compartment for shipping to the dealer.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I'm sure Alan is correct but i imagine that wheels were bubble balanced only in 1973 and weights probably were put on the inside. I can recall having tires balanced then and the weights were put only on the outside of my Chevy II. With today's much more precise dynamic balancing the weights will most often be placed on the outside and inside.
I once had a set of tires that I could not get balanced. They had gradually gotten worse and finally got to the point that I could not stand it. The tire shop only made slight adjustments to the balance but the vibration was just as bad. As it turned out the trim rings had become rusted on the inside causing the imbalance. I removed the trim rings and no more vibration. If they are in good condition they should cause no issue. If you still have a vibration after balancing, take the rings off and drive it. Weights placed on both sides will be more precise than just on the back or front.
I once had a set of tires that I could not get balanced. They had gradually gotten worse and finally got to the point that I could not stand it. The tire shop only made slight adjustments to the balance but the vibration was just as bad. As it turned out the trim rings had become rusted on the inside causing the imbalance. I removed the trim rings and no more vibration. If they are in good condition they should cause no issue. If you still have a vibration after balancing, take the rings off and drive it. Weights placed on both sides will be more precise than just on the back or front.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 55
From: Winfield West Virginia
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Harmonic balancing beads (Dyna-Beads) totally eliminate the need for ugly weights on the rim! I've been using them on my '70 for several years and am very happy with the results.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,932
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From: NYC NY
With "road force" balancing machines I don't see that the trim rings would make a noticeable difference. As a safety note I don't know that a shop would want to even attempt to balance a wheel with a trim ring on it but it might not be an issue.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Allowing the trim rings to be balanced on the wheel would make for a better balance of the "entire" unit". However, as posted above the rings were not on the wheels at the time of balance from the factory.
In a perfect world, the optimum placement of the weights would be on the tread, the further point from the center of the assembly.....
As one poster replied, there are alternative methods to balance, using beads, powders and liquids inside the tire that "permanently balance the wheels. Truck tires often use these.
In a perfect world, the optimum placement of the weights would be on the tread, the further point from the center of the assembly.....
As one poster replied, there are alternative methods to balance, using beads, powders and liquids inside the tire that "permanently balance the wheels. Truck tires often use these.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 290
Likes: 78
I remember when I first got started in the repair business 30 years ago. Hunter salesman put on a demonstration for a brand new high-tech ultra accurate tire balancer. "Guaranteed to remove imbalance on any good tire/wheel combo". When he was done he asked if there were any questions. So, me, being a smart-a** kid asks, "that's impressive and all but after I balance the tire, what do I do with the 5Lb hub-cap that some cars have"? He just looked at me like a deer in the headlights.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 55
From: Winfield West Virginia
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Certainly! I use them in my '70 LS-5 and also in the wide white Firestone bias plies on my '34 Ford Couple hotrod. Check out:
Dyna Beads
www.dynabeads.com
www.innovativebalancing.com
Innovative Balancing, LLC
Rochester, NY 14617
(866) 352-7251
(585) 467-6028
Cost is comparable to "regular" balancing. Tire size dictates the amount (weight) of beads that are used inside of each tire.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
NEVER !!! leave the trim rings and center caps on the wheels if you are taking your car in for tire work.
Tell them to put weights on the back side only...UNLESS the tire won't balance properly. In that case, have them install 'tape-weights' to the inside of the wheel rim which will be hidden by the trim rings (when YOU install them).
Nearly ALL tire shops will take great joy in putting dings, dents, etc into your trim rings if you leave them on the wheels.
Tell them to put weights on the back side only...UNLESS the tire won't balance properly. In that case, have them install 'tape-weights' to the inside of the wheel rim which will be hidden by the trim rings (when YOU install them).
Nearly ALL tire shops will take great joy in putting dings, dents, etc into your trim rings if you leave them on the wheels.