DIY Wheel Balancer VS A Shop (1 Viewer)

[Les Summer]

SO, I have this Pittsburg Wheel Balancer I bought from Harbor Frightening a few years ago. I recently rotated my 18 inch BFG KO2's (275/70R18) from rear to front and I've been getting a steering wheel pulsation anytime I'm over 55MPH. I have pressure set to 38 front and 41 rear, since that was what it was before and all was fine. My alignment is tracking straight down the road, so no issues there.

So I placed each wheel on my Pittsburg balancer, and the bubble is pretty dead center in my little circle on the balancer, but all of a sudden I don't trust the balancer, and I'm thinking maybe it's time to take the wheels off and let a pro shop balance them. The only trouble is, I do not like anyone taking off my wheels but me. I've had too many instances where my wheel studs were returned to me all bogeyed up, and in some cases completely destroyed. I'm still considering parking on a lot, removing the wheels (risking getting yelled at about doing it), and bringing in each wheel 1 by 1 to get them balanced. I'm pretty OCD about my truck, even though it's not a pageant winner and it has almost 300k, buy hey it's mine and I love it. The only living people I'd ever let touch it are probably people I already talk to here on mud, who live states away from me.

Does the Pittsburg Balancer stand a chance against a shop balancer? I noticed both of my front wheels only have a couple of the sticky balance magnets on them, and it looks like at some time in the past there were more, but they are gone. Still the balance looks fine according to my DIY balancer. I do not have a lot of experience with balancers, and I do not understand if there are subtle differences that would greatly affect my tire /wheel balance and ride quality. I do not go off road, and my wheels are pristine. I have read that balancing should be done every 5 to 8K, but I've never done that. Ever. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[MechE30]

SO, I have this Pittsburg Wheel Balancer I bought from Harbor Frightening a few years ago. I recently rotated my 18 inch BFG KO2's (275/70R18) from rear to front and I've been getting a steering wheel pulsation anytime I'm over 55MPH. I have pressure set to 38 front and 41 rear, since that was what it was before and all was fine. My alignment is tracking straight down the road, so no issues there.

So I placed each wheel on my Pittsburg balancer, and the bubble is pretty dead center in my little circle on the balancer, but all of a sudden I don't trust the balancer, and I'm thinking maybe it's time to take the wheels off and let a pro shop balance them. The only trouble is, I do not like anyone taking off my wheels but me. I've had too many instances where my wheel studs were returned to me all bogeyed up, and in some cases completely destroyed. I'm still considering parking on a lot, removing the wheels (risking getting yelled at about doing it), and bringing in each wheel 1 by 1 to get them balanced. I'm pretty OCD about my truck, even though it's not a pageant winner and it has almost 300k, buy hey it's mine and I love it. The only living people I'd ever let touch it are probably people I already talk to here on mud, who live states away from me.

Does the Pittsburg Balancer stand a chance against a shop balancer? I noticed both of my front wheels only have a couple of the sticky balance magnets on them, and it looks like at some time in the past there were more, but they are gone. Still the balance looks fine according to my DIY balancer. I do not have a lot of experience with balancers, and I do not understand if there are subtle differences that would greatly affect my tire /wheel balance and ride quality. I do not go off road, and my wheels are pristine. I have read that balancing should be done every 5 to 8K, but I've never done that. Ever. Thoughts? Thanks.

You sound like you would benefit from finding a reputable small shop where you can meet the single guy working there and having him balance the tires. Or just pull the wheels and drive them to a big shop in a different vehicle.

 

[badlander]

You can also specify that you want them hand torqued with a torque wrench as part of the deal and watch them do it.

 

[FxFormat]

KO2's are oversized, big and heavy, they can be tough to balance. You need to find a shop with a Hunter road forced machine, that should help with the vibration so long as your tires aren't old and cupping.

 

[JBerger]

Road force balance is the key, makes all the difference. I'm sure there is a quality shop in your area with the equipment and expertise. I'd suggest ask in your local race community where they get their tires done and start with them. The shop might laugh when you show up with KO's not track tires, but they know how to take care and do it right.

 

[SteveH]

I have read that balancing should be done every 5 to 8K, but I've never done that. Ever.

I think this is a waste of time and money, unless you have wheel shake or you have lost weights. I can see doing a rebalance after the tire is 1/3 or 1/2 worn.

You might take a photo of each wheel after balancing so you know how many weights were on them and where they were located, in case they fall off (might have to remove the wheel if the weights are on the inside). Some folks also take a hair dryer and heat the weights and jam them into the rim, after they get home from the tire balance shop, to be SURE the weights are gripping the wheel firmly. The tire shop is more interested in getting you out of the shop than being sure the weights don't fall off.

 

[Patron100LC]

If the vibes started after a rotation, might be that there was some rust/pitting/dirt/foreign objects/paint/squished ants between the brake disc and back of rim, creating an un-balanced situation that wasn't there before. You might want to re-do the job but make sure you brush the mating surfaces and clean good before mounting the wheels. It happened to me a couple times, a slight paint chip in the wheel hub and it's magnified by the wheel radius creating vibes.

 

[ed94r]

Discount Tire shops around here all have road force balancers. They do a good job getting my KO2 and KO3's balanced the first time, every time.

Edit: I do bring them the wheels for them to mount tires and RF balance. I do the mount/dismount/torque in my driveway.

 

[Les Summer]

You can also specify that you want them hand torqued with a torque wrench as part of the deal and watch them do it.

I always make sure I use a torque wrench on my lug nuts and do a star pattern

If the vibes started after a rotation, might be that there was some rust/pitting/dirt/foreign objects/paint/squished ants between the brake disc and back of rim, creating an un-balanced situation that wasn't there before. You might want to re-do the job but make sure you brush the mating surfaces and clean good before mounting the wheels. It happened to me a couple times, a slight paint chip in the wheel hub and it's magnified by the wheel radius creating vibes.

That was the first thing I did after I checked the balance myself I took a wire brush to the meeting surfaces

I have read that balancing should be done every 5 to 8K, but I've never done that. Ever.

I think this is a waste of time and money, unless you have wheel shake or you have lost weights. I can see doing a rebalance after the tire is 1/3 or 1/2 worn.

You might take a photo of each wheel after balancing so you know how many weights were on them and where they were located, in case they fall off (might have to remove the wheel if the weights are on the inside). Some folks also take a hair dryer and heat the weights and jam them into the rim, after they get home from the tire balance shop, to be SURE the weights are gripping the wheel firmly. The tire shop is more interested in getting you out of the shop than being sure the weights don't fall off.

I bought the complete wheel set with the tires used. I have no idea if they were ever balanced correctly. The tires were in like new condition.

 

[saucebox]

Talk to the shop first, but do them one at a time in a parking lot. The only downside is that it takes a bit longer.

That's basically been my MO for the last few years with beadlocks. Shops won't touch them until things are mounted up—somewhat annoying when the balancer asks the tire to be rotated on the rim itself to get a better balance, but that's what I signed up for, I guess.

I wouldn't even give the HF tool a second look. E-rated 35s (and the 37s going on it shortly) + heavy beadlocks are (IMO) way beyond its capability.

 

[ed94r]

Talk to the shop first, but do them one at a time in a parking lot. The only downside is that it takes a bit longer.

That's basically been my MO for the last few years with beadlocks. Shops won't touch them until things are mounted up—somewhat annoying when the balancer asks the tire to be rotated on the rim itself to get a better balance, but that's what I signed up for, I guess.

I wouldn't even give the HF tool a second look. E-rated 35s (and the 37s going on it shortly) + heavy beadlocks are (IMO) way beyond its capability.

You yourself mount tires to beadlocks in the parking lot? BEAST.

 

[saucebox]

You yourself mount tires to beadlocks in the parking lot? BEAST.

Hah, they're not that bad. Hutchinsons are a lot more straightforward than a normal beadlock, no wrestling tires over the lip. Same as other things in life...TONS of lube.

 

[GTV]

I don’t allow tire shops to touch my vehicle either. They always f**k something up.

If there is a mobile tire service in your area that would be the way to go.

 

[Les Summer]

I don’t allow tire shops to touch my vehicle either. They always f**k something up.

If there is a mobile tire service in your area that would be the way to go.

I've decided to purchase one more 18 inch wheel. I'm going to remove my spare, and then fit both with a TAKO2 tire. I'll swap them in, drive to the shop to get my front two balanced, and then I'll put them back on. I'll then put the spare back under the LC, and the extra I'll keep in my garage just in case I ever need it. problem solved.