[Z06] Road Force Balancing?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Hills CA
Road Force Balancing?
I'm installing my tires tomorrow (PS2's), and the shop I'm going to has the option for "Road Force Balancing"....is it a gimmick? He said the "higher end cars" require this....I told him I will let him know because I wanted to hit up the forums first.
For mounting, balance, road force balancing, and alignment check he's charging me $168.
Is this the equivalent of corner balancing or what? What is the difference?
Also, if I need an alignment, should I just go to the dealership or trust him/them?
For mounting, balance, road force balancing, and alignment check he's charging me $168.
Is this the equivalent of corner balancing or what? What is the difference?
Also, if I need an alignment, should I just go to the dealership or trust him/them?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by pb24dagrk
I'm installing my tires tomorrow (PS2's), and the shop I'm going to has the option for "Road Force Balancing"....is it a gimmick? He said the "higher end cars" require this....I told him I will let him know because I wanted to hit up the forums first.
For mounting, balance, road force balancing, and alignment check he's charging me $168.
Is this the equivalent of corner balancing or what? What is the difference?
Also, if I need an alignment, should I just go to the dealership or trust him/them?
For mounting, balance, road force balancing, and alignment check he's charging me $168.
Is this the equivalent of corner balancing or what? What is the difference?
Also, if I need an alignment, should I just go to the dealership or trust him/them?
Road force balance just simulated high speed conditions, and since you have a vette im sure thats why he suggested it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Standard balancing only checks for lateral movement of the wheel/tire assembly. Road force balancing matches the tire and wheel up the best so that it rolls true, it balances in the vertical direction too. The machine will tell them the exact orientation on the wheel of the tire for the best result. Sometimes they have to take the tire on/off a few times to get it perfect. It's the best balance.
However... the first launch you do... if the tire moves on the rim some it will negate that =)
However... the first launch you do... if the tire moves on the rim some it will negate that =)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
Standard balancing only checks for lateral movement of the wheel/tire assembly. Road force balancing matches the tire and wheel up the best so that it rolls true, it balances in the vertical direction too. The machine will tell them the exact orientation on the wheel of the tire for the best result. Sometimes they have to take the tire on/off a few times to get it perfect. It's the best balance.
However... the first launch you do... if the tire moves on the rim some it will negate that =)
However... the first launch you do... if the tire moves on the rim some it will negate that =)
Goose
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 35
From: INDIANA
Road force balancing, which most Discount Tire as well as Tire Rack stores use, uses a balancer machine that has a roller which presses up against the tire as it spins while balancing, which indicates variations in the belt stiffness. That can cause vibrations, especially at speed. Yes, that vibration can often be minimized by tire matching, but a more IMPORTANT feature is it can indicate tires that are unsuitable for true high speed activities. My tire store went thru 7 tires to get 4 good ones for me to use in open road racing.( 90 miles at 150-165mph). Well worth piece of mind.
