I will be having to get a set of tires for "my other ride" and replacing the spare tire for my "88"....
I have given some thought to that Harbor Freight "balancer".

I know that when they first came out with the units that had the red base, there were some issues that the balancer (at the top) would not "free-float" or, had some resistance...
The newer ones with the black base were re-machined to eliminate that problem..

One of the questions that I have is,
1)...When using the balancer and it calls for a weight, since the tire is usually "face up" when balancing, could the weight be placed on the back (inner side to car) OR, must it be placed on the outer face up side of the tire?

2)...If I wanted the weight to be placed on the "inner side of tire, and tire is balanced in face-up position, would I have to balance the tire "face down?

3)...I am not a freak on "stick-on" weights so, I would be searching for "hammer - on" weights...

I have never done this before so, crossing my fingers.

 

Problem is old technology, great at the time, but not today!

 

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Doesn't quite answer my question(s) but, thanks for the reply.

 

Also doesn't answer your question but just a suggestion so don't beat me up too bad...

If you find a decent tire shop that isn't a major chain place, they'll probably balance tires for you for 5 or 10 each. unless you're doing this often, by letting them do it, you'll save yourself the trouble of figuring it out.

I buy my tires from a local shop that just throws tires all day. If I feel like something has gotten out of balance, he usually balances them for me for free because I buy all my tires from him.

 

I have both a HF bubble balancer and a good Coats M-76 bubble balancer. The HF one tends to be inconsistent but it can still get the balance close enough to not feel any vibrations. The coats balancer will get the balance perfect and I mean better than a spin balancer can accomplish. The HF unit will get within one or two 1/4 OZ weights accuracy. The Coats unit will get within less than 1/2 of one 1/4 oz weight accuracy. You can find the Coats M-76 balancers on ebay sometimes (which is where I bought mine). The coats M-76 was the last bubble balancer model they made before everyone went to spin balancers. Spin balancers were made to allow unskilled shop monkeys the ability to balance tires "well enough" - don't fall for the hype that spin balancers are better.

To answer your question, you can only use the balancer with the wheel face up. It is centers on the taper on the back face of the wheel. When you locate the point that needs weight added, that weight can go on the back side of the wheel or the front side or the best location which is in the middle of the wheel using stick on weights. Hammer on weights, whether on the back or front of the wheel, will induce dynamic imbalance since they are far from the center line of the wheel. If you only need a 1 oz or less weight, that dynamic imbalance will not cause any noticeable vibrations. By the way, there is nothing wrong with stick on weights. As long as you clean the wheel where the weights will stick on, they will not come off. I use rubbing alcohol to clean the wheel and have never seen a weight come loose after balancing hundreds of tires.

 

Also doesn't answer your question but just a suggestion so don't beat me up too bad...
not "beating anyone up"

If you find a decent tire shop that isn't a major chain place, they'll probably balance tires for you for 5 or 10 each.
already checked that out....

unless you're doing this often, by letting them do it, you'll save yourself the trouble of figuring it out.

I buy my tires from a local shop that just throws tires all day. If I feel like something has gotten out of balance, he usually balances them for me for free because I buy all my tires from him.

 

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To answer your question, you can only use the balancer with the wheel face up.
Damn....

It is centers on the taper on the back face of the wheel. When you locate the point that needs weight added, that weight can go on the back side of the wheel or the front side
can a "hammer-on" weight go on the BACK inner-facing side of the rim and be hammered onto the rim (I hate stick-on)?

or the best location which is in the middle of the wheel using stick on weights.
see above

Hammer on weights, whether on the back or front of the wheel, will induce dynamic imbalance since they are far from the center line of the wheel. If you only need a 1 oz or less weight, that dynamic imbalance will not cause any noticeable vibrations.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with stick on weights. As long as you clean the wheel where the weights will stick on, they will not come off.
in my time of getting wheels balanced, I have had some come off and, even found one in my driveway.

I use rubbing alcohol to clean the wheel and have never seen a weight come loose after balancing hundreds of tires.
see above

 

Hammer on weights can go on the back side of the wheel as long as the wheel has a standard lip on the back - most wheels do. If stick on weights come off, it means the wheel was not cleaned properly (or at all). Tire shops are always in a hurry to get jobs finished so many times they do not clean the wheel well or at all. The wheel only needs to be cleaned where the weights are going so it is not a big job. But you do need to use a solvent to cut through grease / dirt / wax etc.

When I take off stick on weights that I have applied (like when I need to rebalance the wheel) they are stuck so well that I have to pry them off and the tape stays stuck to the wheel. They are not going to "fall off" if properly installed. That said, hammer on weights are easier, so as long as you need less than 1 oz, they will work fine.

 

By the way, wheel face up on the balancer is not a problem. Just figure out where you need the weight by placing it on the face of the wheel and then mark that spot. Take the wheel off the balancer and put the weight in the same location as your mark, just on the back side of the wheel. Always recheck the wheel back on the balancer after you add the weight. Here is where the HF balancer will frustrate you. When you recheck it, you will find it is still not perfect. It may indicate the need for one or two more 1/4 Oz weights and in a different location. So you add those and check it again, you find it is still not perfect. This can be a never ending loop because the balancer is just not accurate enough to get down to less than 1/4 Oz weight. So what you have to do is just call it good enough after the first attempt as long as the balance shows two or less 1/4 Oz weights are needed to make it perfect. You will have to take my word that this is close enough and go drive it. You won't feel any vibration.

I use 1/4 Oz weight as a measurement because that is the most common stick on weight size. You can get hammer on weights in a whole variety of sizes. I use old stick on weights to figure out how much weight is required and where it needs to go, then mark it with a tire marker (or piece of tape) before taking the wheel off the balancer to add the needed weight or weights.

 

By the way, wheel face up on the balancer is not a problem.
that is why I asked the question in effect - balancing face up and placing weights on the back lip

Just figure out where you need the weight by placing it on the face of the wheel and then mark that spot. Take the wheel off the balancer and put the weight in the same location as your mark, just on the back side of the wheel.
I was going to try that but, glad you also suggested I try it..

Always recheck the wheel back on the balancer after you add the weight.
yup

Here is where the HF balancer will frustrate you. When you recheck it, you will find it is still not perfect.
not all that worried about that since I don't zip around town for the most part.

It may indicate the need for one or two more 1/4 Oz weights and in a different location. So you add those and check it again, you find it is still not perfect. This can be a never ending loop because the balancer is just not accurate enough to get down to less than 1/4 Oz weight.
I already visualized that in my mind..

So what you have to do is just call it good enough after the first attempt as long as the balance shows two or less 1/4 Oz weights are needed to make it perfect.
cool....

You will have to take my word that this is close enough and go drive it. You won't feel any vibration.
will do!

I use 1/4 Oz weight as a measurement because that is the most common stick on weight size. You can get hammer on weights in a whole variety of sizes.
That was going to be my next question...where does one get the the hammer on weights?

I use old stick on weights to figure out how much weight is required and where it needs to go, then mark it with a tire marker (or piece of tape) before taking the wheel off the balancer to add the needed weight or weights.
I just have to do a search for the weights as above.

 

If you are really this worried about balance get a road force balance. Dan

 

Have no idea as to what that is....Still thinking of the aforementioned balancer....

 

You can probably go to a tire shop and ask them for some old hammer on weights. I have done that and they gave me a good handfull for free. I do not think they re-use old weights, so they are throwing them away. I have a ton of them now since I take them off any wheels I put new tires on. I only use them when people ask me not to use "junky stick on weights". I laugh to myself when they say this because it saves me money when I re-use hammer on weights that are free versus using stick on weights I have to pay for.

By the way, many times the clip on the hammer on weights needs to be bent inwards to make the weights hold on properly. Loose hammer on weights fall off just like improperly installed stick on weights.

 

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You can probably go to a tire shop and ask them for some old hammer on weights.
no place I know of in Florida here....These places are "tighter that a fishs' A$$ not letting the water in".....(grin)

I have done that and they gave me a good handfull for free. I do not think they re-use old weights, so they are throwing them away.
agreed

I have a ton of them now since I take them off any wheels I put new tires on. I only use them when people ask me not to use "junky stick on weights". I laugh to myself when they say this because it saves me money when I re-use hammer on weights that are free versus using stick on weights I have to pay for.
HA!

By the way, many times the clip on the hammer on weights needs to be bent inwards to make the weights hold on properly.
I know.....

Loose hammer on weights fall off just like improperly installed stick on weights.

 

Do you have a Discount Tire store near you? I find them to be super helpful. They fix flats for free and have given me new valve stems and TPMS rebuild kits for free. They go out of their way to make customers happy even if you are not buying anything. They want to impress you so you come back and buy tires from them when you need new tires.

 

I cannot believe no one has come into this thread saying how bubble balancing is no good. I had already put on the fire proof suit!

 

The Hunter Road Force® balance system is a diagnostic wheel balancing solution designed to enhance vehicle performance and ride quality. Key features include:

• Fastest Diagnostic Balancer: The Road Force® Elite is touted as the fastest wheel balancer, capable of performing both traditional balancing and Road Force Measurement in less time than conventional methods.
  
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• Vibration Problem Resolution: It helps solve vibration issues, providing a smoother "new car ride" experience.
  
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• Increased Accuracy: The system's vision technology improves balancing accuracy and allows for single weight solutions, addressing the sensitivity of modern vehicles to static vibration forces.
  
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• Comprehensive Understanding: Road force balancing involves matching the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle's suspension, which can significantly improve ride quality.
  
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  For more detailed information, you can visit the official Hunter Engineering website.
  
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Road Force Balancer is a very expensive machine that very few shops have. It is good for rare problem tires that do not want to balance normally. Not needed for 99.99% of tires. But when you do get that rare problem tire - so handy!

 

I live in a small town and my little 3 bay repair shop has one. I had it done and I really like it. Had to move the tire 3 times on one wheel. I really don't know if it is any better than a regular spin balance. You may be correct and I wasted my money. Dan

 

...Not happening........