Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

When I had the first set of BFG ATs fitted at delivery the tyre place used the stick on weights inside the rims. I found the front would always have a slight wobble no matter how many times I had the wheels balanced. When I had the second set of BFG ATs fitted this week I asked the tyre place (different to first tyre place) about the weights. He said they only use the weights you hammer on the rim lip as the stick on type don't balance properly. So far the Prado drives even smoother than before and there is no noticeable wobble. Time will tell...

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Re: Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

When a wheel is balanced there are two different types of balance that can be done electronically - Static and Dynamic a static balance only tends to balance a tyre in one plane where a dynamic balance balances both sides of the tyre, hence why they can get away with putting weights just on the inside of the rim as opposed to weights on both sides of the outer edge of the rim. Some people get really fussy with adding weights onto the outside of polished alloys and demand that they be put on the inside so they do not show, but of course they are then not getting a true dynamic balance.

I have just had Mickey Thompson ATZ M/T's fitted and I was watching the fitters do the job (actually assessing their competence) and two of the tyres needed nearly a quarter of a kilo of weight to balance them. This is not acceptable and it did not matter how many times we stripped rotated and refitted the tyres, we could not get it lower. Anyway the result is they are balanced, we drove to Adelaide and now the dealer has got replacement tyres in stock to replace them. Bloody noisy though compared to the Dunlops and fuel economy has increased by about 1 litre/100km

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

nearly a quarter of a kilo of weight to balance them

:shock: :shock:

ATZ M/T's

Typo? Do you mean MTZ?

Mick

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Re: Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

No typo ATZ 4 ribs are actually designated a M/T but not as aggressive as the MTZ

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

No typo ATZ 4 ribs are actually designated a M/T but not as aggressive as the MTZ

Ah ok... nice looking tyre in the 4 rib. Still got side biters too.

So do you think they are noisey because you got a couple of duds or just they way they are?

Did they replace them, no questions asked??

Mick

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Re: Wheel Balance Issues and Weights

I have driven a lot of mud terrains in the mining industry and they are really noisy. The ATZ 4 rib are noisy but that is comparing them against the Grandtreks and you do get used to it. What disappointed me more was the increased fuel consumption but I have been stuck with the Dunlops so noise and fuel will pay off in the long run I guess. The speedo is still 2km/h out (reads 100 but doing 98 on GPS) so it is still in my favour. Went down to Stockton beach on the weekend and they performed excellent in the sand dunes even though at 16psi they were still standing up fairly straight so I reckon I could go down to 12psi no problems. The sidebiters I am not sure about being any good as they are not as aggressive as the MTZ's but we will see.

The dealer has replacement tyres in stock and he was aware of the problem at the time of fitting, he just didn't have tyres in stock and will replace them no questions. I have trainee tyre fitters there so he has to do the right thing. Now to find some mud!!