Balancing tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Balancing tires
Does anyone know if there is a limit as to how much lead weight should be used to balance a tire/wheel assembly? I just purchased new aftermarket Z06 wheels ( Topline Brand ) and the vender used 6OZ. of lead weight to balance one of the tires. The same tire had normal size lead pieces of lead on the factory rim. To reassure me the new rim is OK he remounted a new Kumho tire on the questionable new rim , and it took 3OZ. of lead (without pressure sensors installed ) to balance the tire. This still seems to be too much to me.Am I being **** or what? Your opinions PLEASE.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Just North of Buffalo NY
If it needs that much weight, I would think the tire should be rotated 180 degrees then balanced again. Sometimes 90 or 120 deg. will correct it. Read any of the tire company's websites and they will all say this. Perhaps the tire itself is weighted to one side or the rim is out of whack. Not all tires or rims are "perfect". Good luck. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
If it needs that much weight, I would think the tire should be rotated 180 degrees then balanced again. Sometimes 90 or 120 deg. will correct it. Read any of the tire company's websites and they will all say this. Perhaps the tire itself is weighted to one side or the rim is out of whack. Not all tires or rims are "perfect". Good luck.
Most 'techs' do not understand to try to rotate the tire on the rim after a balance that calls for that much lead. They just pund it on and it looks like hell. See if you can get them to rotate the tire and re-balance.
