To balance or not to balance, that is the question

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jhenn4716
Posts: 50
Joined: October 11th, 2010, 9:11 am

To balance or not to balance, that is the question

Post by jhenn4716 »

I have a question regarding balancing your tires. I have been told you do need to balance your tires and that you don't need to. Which is it? If it is needed, are there any drawbacks to not getting it done?
Jeff
Mysterian #55
problemchild
Posts: 901
Joined: June 25th, 2006, 9:34 am

Re: To balance or not to balance, that is the question

Post by problemchild »

Drawback: It will shake so bad you cannot drive it or will shake itself apart. At best, distracting and annoying.

You'll get the odd wheel and tire that won't need balancing .... but you'll get some that needs lots of weight. Not a good way to save momey, IMO.
Greg Rice
"Happy 50th Birthday"
SR Racing
Posts: 1205
Joined: June 24th, 2006, 1:58 pm

Re: To balance or not to balance, that is the question

Post by SR Racing »

Since you are seldom driving at a constant speed, unless the balance is WAY off, you will may never feel it since no harmonics can develop fast enough. However, any out of balance causes wear and loss of HP. (and as Greg points out can be significant if off a lot.) We spin balance here, but one of the cheap bubble balances work fine for the Vees narrow tires. We would never assemble an engine without balancing. Same issues involved.
brian
Posts: 1348
Joined: June 26th, 2006, 12:31 pm

Re: To balance or not to balance, that is the question

Post by brian »

do a search, there was a long discussion on this issue including a simple low cost way of doing it at home
The above post is for reference only and your results may vary. This post is not intended to reflect the views or opinions of SCCA and should not be considered an analysis or opinion of the rules written in the GCR.
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