RedHot94

I posted this earlier in Wheels & Tires...

I've got new wheels comming from AFS for my 94. I'm pulling the tires off the old wheels and moving them to the new ones. What's the best balance for this? Currently I have them static balanced. Don't want any wheel weights on the front to mar the finish. I've also looked at local tire store that has a Hunter GSP 9700. Not sure which way I want to go. I do know that I want to protect the finish on the wheels from weights.
Option 1: Static balance, clip-on weights on back side, price $70-$80.
Option 2: Hunter GSP9700, taped on weights front and back side of wheels, price $200 :eek: :skep:

I've been told static balancing isn't as good, but I think $200 just to put the new wheels on is too high. I think I'll just do the static again, but is there anything else I should be considering?

Thanks...

Q1KSLVR

I've had static balancing done to all my tires without problems (even to my other cars/trucks).

On this current set, I had them balanced with a "mag" setting. This puts a clip on weight on the inside, and tape on in the middle.

You can't see a thing! :thumbs:


[Modified by Q1KSLVR, 2:54 AM 11/6/2003]

DON M

I had mine done on the Hunter machine and they are perfect. The Corvette wheels have so much backspace that they can put the tape weights on the inside and outside edges without any problems and nothing shows. :thumbs:


[Modified by DON M, 5:24 AM 11/6/2003]

mikestuff

I think $200 is a supreme rip. I got a tirerack set put on mine locally for $60. The tape weights are the only way to go.

c4cruiser

$200 sounds like a pretty high price for using the GSP 9700. But it will give you the best balance. The machine will allow weights to be placed not only on the inside of the rim, but the inside surfaces of the spokes. This is a true dual-plane machine. It will balance wheels using a combination of the inside plane and outside plane and can even define where the inside or outside plane is in relation to the inside or outside edge of the wheel. Balance weight can also be split between two adjacent spokes.

Make sure the guy running the machine knows his stuff. There are a lot of options that the operator can select from.

vinnies87

Nice to know....

MyBlueC5

:iagree:

There is NO WAY I'd pay 200 to mount and balance. It shouldn't cost you more than 75 TOPS.

I'd check with another reputable dealer/tire store.

Mark

dburgjohn

My local tire place has what they call a road-force balancer. It has a wheel that sits against the tire to simulate road contact. They used tap on weights in back and stick ons for front. Looks good, rides perfect, $70.00

Fuzzy Dice

:iagree: I have mine "Road Force" balanced...weights on the inside...$48.00 and it works great... :thumbs:

CoolVette86

I failed to understand why a Hunter 9700 balance would cost $200. The infamous 'Corvette Surcharge' perhaps? The one local tire store charges me $54 including taxes, for a 4 tire balance job from their Hunter 9700. I nearly choked on my gum when their service manager told me the price. "Too much?!", the worried looking manager said. "No, this is great!"says I, mighty happy, I might add. :D My '86 have been super smooth ever since... even in triple digits (shhhhh)

Shop around!

RedHot94

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've looked around and found another place that has a Hunter 9700. They'll do all of it for $80. So much for $200. That place will never get my business again. I'll make sure other know of the rip off too! :mad

robertpel9

the 9700 is the only way to go. North Providence tire did mine for 12 bucks a wheel last year, car is smooth as could be ever since. The balance and 4 wheel alignment was less than 150 bucks.

Sparky_OKC

$60 in OKC for a mount and balance, Watched the fellow like a hawk - he did it by the book and with great care. Tipped him $20. Nothing's too good for the Corvette.

LowFlight

WEights on both sides is always the way to go. Sometimes you get lucky, but it is always a better balance. If you can't stand weights on the outside...use the stick-ons