What You Should Know About Wheel Balancing
The balance problem will become apparent through vibration. It might be a slight vibration at all speed ranges, a vibration that only shows up between certain speeds, or a bone-rattling shake that starts as soon as you start rolling. It might be felt through the steering wheel, through the seatback, the gas pedal, or the floorboard, but it’ll be an unmistakable vibration nonetheless. There are a few different methods for balancing a wheel and tire. The oldest is to set the tire on a jig with a liquid-filled glass capsule in the center. The capsule has a bubble in it, and the technician sets wheel weights at various spots until the bubble is dead-center in the capsule (like using a carpenter’s level). Other methods include road-force balancing and spin balancing, which are a little more accurate than static balancing.
How To Know If You Need Your Wheels Balanced
Is your vehicle vibrating at certain speeds, say, between 50 and 70 mph? If so, chances are your wheel is out of balance. One section of your tire is heavier than the other because it’s endured more exposure to the friction and heat of the road. Most people are delighted with the difference such a simple and inexpensive procedure makes. Look for these signs:
- The scalloped, erratic wear pattern on tires
- Vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard at certain speeds
Why Wheel Balancing Is Important
If left too long, the vibration from an out-of-balance wheel can start causing all sorts of other problems. It can harm wheel bearings, CV joints, and half-shafts, and even steering components over enough time and enough thousands of miles, turning a simple wheel balancing job into a major repair.
Schedule Your Wheel Balancing
Don’t just put up with that vibration because one thing’s for sure – it’s not going to get better again on its own magically. Make an appointment with us today at a Trusted Tire & Auto location near you! Our expert technicians will determine where that vibration and roughness are coming from and then perform a wheel balancing job on all four wheels. You’ll notice the difference right away, and you’ll again have a vehicle that’s a pleasure to drive.