Proper tire balancing?

[03coloradowrangler]

I honestly think the “road force” pitch is a sales gimmick. Sounds silly, But to each their own. That was the first counter argument I was offered for asking why I wanted to re balance the tires when I was just there a few weeks prior. They were road force balanced with lasers and the hunter tech was just there and the machines were all within tolerance.

the problem with tire balancing is that it is always a rush job and you kinda just need to take their word that they are balanced correctly and leave.

 

[williambmac]

I honestly think the “road force” pitch is a sales gimmick. Sounds silly, But to each their own. That was the first counter argument I was offered for asking why I wanted to re balance the tires when I was just there a few weeks prior. They were road force balanced with lasers and the hunter tech was just there and the machines were all within tolerance.

the problem with tire balancing is that it is always a rush job and you kinda just need to take their word that they are balanced correctly and leave.

I can tell you first hand that the Hunter GPS9700 Road force balance is not a "gimmick"

I get the pleasure of diagnosing electrical, drivability and internal engine concerns on GM vehicles.
Unfortunately from time to time I get to deal with a tire vibration, usually under warranty.

GM has very specific procedures for diagnosing tire vibrations.

First I have to install a pico scope into the vehicle and road test and record 1st, 2nd and 3rd order tire vibrations.

Then I have the pleasure of spinning all the tire/wheel assemblies on the Hunter machine.
depending on the type of tire the road force needs to be below a certain spec.
18lbs for a p-metric
24lbs for p-metric truck
35lbs for lt tires

Any tire/wheel assembly that does not meet the spec must be broken down and the tire rotated on the rim until it comes within spec or the tire is replaced.

Once all four tires are properly balanced and fall within the spec for Road force, I then have to road test the vehicle again with the Pico scope and record the readings all over again.

All of this info gets send to GM just so they will cover the repair if it is under warranty.

Bottom line is..... Once the tire/wheel assemblies are properly balanced, there is a substantial if not complete reduction in tire vibration.

There are of course some exceptions like mud tires. You will almost always have a slow speed/rolling vibration due to the large lugs.

My last couple of sets of tires ended up being nightmares. My current Mickey Thompsons, I went through 4 complete sets before I had 5 that would road force under 20lbs a tire and didn't take a ton of weight.

If your having your tires Road Force balanced, who ever is doing it should give you a print out of the before and after specs.

 

[rasband]

Bottom line is..... Once the tire/wheel assemblies are properly balanced, there is a substantial if not complete reduction in tire vibration.

No one disagrees that a balance is necessary to reduce/eliminate vibrations, but people are questioning if road force is what makes all the difference. I’m not sure your procedure suggests it is, though it is interesting to read.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I can tell you first hand that the Hunter GPS9700 Road force balance is not a "gimmick"

No it's not a gimmick but neither is it assurance you'll get a good balance when it comes to bigger tires. I know because it didn't give me what I expected and hoped for after paying extra for it several times. I noticed no better results with it. As said above, I stopped using it as the extra charge was not getting me any better results. I actually got better results with a tire balancing machine straight out of the 50's.

 

[03coloradowrangler]

I can tell you first hand that the Hunter GPS9700 Road force balance is not a "gimmick"

I get the pleasure of diagnosing electrical, drivability and internal engine concerns on GM vehicles.
Unfortunately from time to time I get to deal with a tire vibration, usually under warranty.

GM has very specific procedures for diagnosing tire vibrations.

First I have to install a pico scope into the vehicle and road test and record 1st, 2nd and 3rd order tire vibrations.

Then I have the pleasure of spinning all the tire/wheel assemblies on the Hunter machine.
depending on the type of tire the road force needs to be below a certain spec.
18lbs for a p-metric
24lbs for p-metric truck
35lbs for lt tires

Any tire/wheel assembly that does not meet the spec must be broken down and the tire rotated on the rim until it comes within spec or the tire is replaced.

Once all four tires are properly balanced and fall within the spec for Road force, I then have to road test the vehicle again with the Pico scope and record the readings all over again.

All of this info gets send to GM just so they will cover the repair if it is under warranty.

Bottom line is..... Once the tire/wheel assemblies are properly balanced, there is a substantial if not complete reduction in tire vibration.

There are of course some exceptions like mud tires. You will almost always have a slow speed/rolling vibration due to the large lugs.

My last couple of sets of tires ended up being nightmares. My current Mickey Thompsons, I went through 4 complete sets before I had 5 that would road force under 20lbs a tire and didn't take a ton of weight.

If your having your tires Road Force balanced, who ever is doing it should give you a print out of the before and after specs.

I should clarify that discount tire Road force balancing my tires is more of a sales pitch gimmick. I think just adding a bunch of weights and shipping them out the door is the answer to their quick in and out balancing. I dont think they truly take the time to get things perfect unless you go back 2 or three times complaining somethings not right which at that point they take some time.

I just completley solved my 55'ish mph wobble Sunday night. I looked over all the tires on the hubs and observed the front left tire had a equal substantial amount of weights on the inside and outside edge of the rim at the 6 o clock position. attempting again I swapped it out with the tire on the spare rear of the jeep and its rolling completely smooth now at 55.