A bubble balancer, although better than nothing, will only static balance your wheels and tires. There's a reason why techs know how to use them, but never do.
@@VitoVeccia Yes, and bias ply tires, too. Before then, there was no need to balance assemblies because speeds weren't fast enough. Your point is moot.
@@phillipbainbridge9107 no, not really. When larger rims with stick on weights became standard on cars, many guys refused to do both static and dynamic. Reason why, is because of comebacks for tire vibration. So they would use the "static only" option on the balancer. Basically same concept as using a bubble balancer. Don't know if they still do that. I moved into trucks in 2014.
@@VitoVeccia That has nothing to do with the 60s and 70s. Regardless, the advent of more sophisticated spin balancers became necessary for proper weight distribution on custom wheels. I was an alignment tech at a large-chain tire shop that frequently did 22 and up. I left there in 2009 and we never had comebacks for poor balance. You just have to know what you're doing in the first place. Yes, I've seen plenty of fudds who would use static only. Those jokers typically couldn't tell the difference between a torque converter and a turbocharger anyway. Static only balancing is always a recipe for plenty of comebacks.
An old time local independent shop has been using a bubble balancer as of late. The control board on his spin balancer went bad and is discontinued. Since he is close to retirement age he isn't going to invest in a new spin balance machine. He doesn't do a lot of tires and says that the bubble balancer does a pretty decent job.
I remember 18 years ago when I had two coats spin balancers from a Firestone I used to work at and I couldn't give them away. Now everybody wants one and a good, basic used one will bring around $500. It must have something to do with the life cycle of the machines.
A bubble balancer, although better than nothing, will only static balance your wheels and tires. There's a reason why techs know how to use them, but never do.
It worked for me at home, not the best tool for the job but it works
Back in the 60's and 70's, that's all they had.
@@VitoVeccia Yes, and bias ply tires, too. Before then, there was no need to balance assemblies because speeds weren't fast enough. Your point is moot.
@@phillipbainbridge9107 no, not really.
When larger rims with stick on weights became standard on cars, many guys refused to do both static and dynamic.
Reason why, is because of comebacks for tire vibration.
So they would use the "static only" option on the balancer. Basically same concept as using a bubble balancer. Don't know if they still do that. I moved into trucks in 2014.
@@VitoVeccia That has nothing to do with the 60s and 70s. Regardless, the advent of more sophisticated spin balancers became necessary for proper weight distribution on custom wheels. I was an alignment tech at a large-chain tire shop that frequently did 22 and up. I left there in 2009 and we never had comebacks for poor balance. You just have to know what you're doing in the first place. Yes, I've seen plenty of fudds who would use static only. Those jokers typically couldn't tell the difference between a torque converter and a turbocharger anyway. Static only balancing is always a recipe for plenty of comebacks.
An old time local independent shop has been using a bubble balancer as of late. The control board on his spin balancer went bad and is discontinued. Since he is close to retirement age he isn't going to invest in a new spin balance machine. He doesn't do a lot of tires and says that the bubble balancer does a pretty decent job.
It does!
I remember 18 years ago when I had two coats spin balancers from a Firestone I used to work at and I couldn't give them away. Now everybody wants one and a good, basic used one will bring around $500. It must have something to do with the life cycle of the machines.
Budget friendly is getting lifetime balance at discount tire.
Please understand that this video is about being a self sufficient home shop and doing the work yourself, that’s why DIY is in the title.
Another solution: Get your tires at a shop which offers free lifetime balance and flat repair. Even the discount shops offer that.
Just felt like trying some old diy methods