Page 1 of 1

To balance or not to balance, that is the question

Posted: August 2nd, 2011, 8:56 am
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?

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

Posted: August 2nd, 2011, 9:15 am
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.

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

Posted: August 2nd, 2011, 10:02 am
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.

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

Posted: August 2nd, 2011, 1:13 pm
by brian
do a search, there was a long discussion on this issue including a simple low cost way of doing it at home