Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Wheels & Tyres, Suspension & Brakes => Topic started by: Mave on April 16, 2007, 10:45:09 PM

Title: wheel balancing
Post by: Mave on April 16, 2007, 10:45:09 PM
Just had new F1s fitted to the front of my FD, using a place I\'ve had good service from in the past. First time I hit 50mph I could feel some shimmy. When I looked, one of the wheels has absolutely loads of balance weights on it. Took it back today to ask them to check the balance, the fitter noticed the pile of balance weights, and said that the wheel must be buckled. Now, before changing the tyres there was a single weight, and it was smooth as you like. Anyway, they rebalanced it, there\'s still oads of weights, haven\'t been able to get it up to speed yet but.... IMHO, if it needs loads of weights then either 1) they haven\'t lines up the heavy spot on the tyre properly on the wheel, or 2) the tyre is at fault. Any opinions?
Title: wheel balancing
Post by: kev-yorks on April 16, 2007, 11:05:53 PM
Don\'t forget they are not allowed to use lead anymore its now zinc and you need loads more for the same weight.
Kevin
Title: wheel balancing
Post by: NurburgRob on April 17, 2007, 07:10:18 PM
I know that yokohamas have a significant heavy point which needs to be either inline with or opposite the valve.

I think the red spot is this side facing out and the yellow spot was the heavy point.  Are there any spots on your tyres?
Title: wheel balancing
Post by: Mave on April 18, 2007, 11:53:45 PM
Hmm, on one of the wheels (the one without loads of balance weights) teh spot is not either next to or opposite the valve. The wheel with all the weights has no spot. I noticed that the weights are all right up against the rim, whereas I assume any tyre imbalance is spread across the rim, so really the weights should be mid rim?
Title: wheel balancing
Post by: NurburgRob on April 19, 2007, 07:04:16 PM
I\'m not sure about the position of the weights laterally, your best option would be to go somewhere else and ask them to re-balance them, shouldn\'t cost more than £10 per wheel.
Title: wheel balancing
Post by: Mave on April 25, 2007, 06:44:07 PM
Cheers, got them to move the weights away from the rim and its smooth now, but don\'t like the idea of all the weights so I\'ll be taking your advice and getting someone else for a second opinion.