How to Balance a Tire Yourself - Using a Bubble Balancer by Harbor Freight
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ธ.ค. 2014
- Here is a video where I show you how you can use a bubble balancer to balance a tire. It wont be as accurate as using a machine balancer but if done correctly you can get very close. Also if you like this video you may find these other videos useful as well:
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Link to bubble balancer: amzn.to/2bDjjdr
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchetsand Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchetsand Wrenches. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Good tips on checking for rocks in the tread and dirt inside the rim. Thank you.
i wonder how many fast fit garages do this
I run 4 cars, and am always wearing out tires. I am constantly buying used tires from Craigslist and local tire shops and from local people who I know from Facebook. I have a neighbor who has a air compressor tire changing machine and he mounts the tires on the rim for $3 each. But he does not own a tire balancer. I see bubble balancers for sale and I got to get one. It is a joke how much local shops (in rural Pennsylvania ) charges for mounting tires and spin balancing them, they charge $20 per tire. They are true rip off artists. It is best to learn to do this work yourself! Thanks R&W for the instructions!
rcharne 20$ to mount and balance a tire isnt so bad. If your neighbor is only charging 3$ to do that, he is doing you a favor.
Don't buy crappy used tires and you will change them less? If you can get an 80K mile warranty tire for $55 you will spend less than used tires just on changing them less. You can still mount them yourself and save even more money though.
Tire machines are thousands of dollars gotta pay a guy to do it pay electricity etc how is that a rip-off?
I do over 20,000 miles a year on 1 set of front tyres. Rear ones last even longer. They only cost £60 or $80 each. Don't buy cheap tyres or retreads for cars.
Discount balances for free
Thanks for the detailed video's of these 2 products. You did an outstanding job explaining the step-by-step processes. Have a great day.
Hey thanks for the video! But, just one critique...
I don't know a lot about cars, but I do know a little physics. I know for sure, you can do this on _almost_ any surface, leveled or not. With wheel balancing, the angle of the surface does not matter in most cases. Just, as long as the angle is not so steep, where the support pole would touch the balancing weight while at rest. This may sound counter-intuitive, however the support pole is _separate_ from the balancing weight.
If you're skeptical, you can experiment with this concept at home with a piece of paper and a pencil or pen. The pen or pencil will act like the support pole, and the paper like the balancing weight. Here's what you do:
_1. Find a full sheet of paper and a pencil or pen._
_2. Fold the paper vertically, "hot-dog" down the center, then horizontally_ _"hamburger" down the center (or visa versa). The folds should cross at the very_ _center of the paper._
_3. Unfold the page. Make a little bump in the center for your pen/pencil if you need_ _to._
_4. Fold the page partially into a "V" and balance the page on your pen/pencil. To do_ _this, put the pen/pencil inside the fold with the point of the pen/pencil on the center of the page._ _Lift_ _the page up with the pen/pencil._
You can change the angle of the pen or pencil as much as you want, but the paper will still balance after it rocks back and forth a bit. I doubt it will be perfectly balanced, since its just a pen and paper. All this does is illustrates the concept that your garage does not need to be perfectly flat for you to be able to balance your wheel.
If you read through all of this, wow, thanks!
But the bubble will be off center without the wheel on it. Then when the user puts the wheel on it, it will move the bubble. But he needs to get the bubble back to where it started, which again, was off center somewhere. So it becomes a practical challenge to get the bubble back to an unmarked, off-center spot.
That's where the ability to adjust the bubble comes in. If there were an infinite amount of adjustability in the bubble, it is true it wouldn't matter if you were on level ground or not. But as he said in the video, there is a limited amount of adjustment. He even said that it didn't matter if you were on perfectly level ground, just that the ground was was close enough to level that you could adjust the bubble into the center. So you're point is correct, but already clearly addressed in the video.
That, and those 3 screws are for adjusting the bubble before putting the tire on.
I see what you're saying but the point is a cone not rounded like a ball so starting angles will affect the end balance. So the closer you get the balancer to true the more true your true will be true.
@@mr2loser the bubble is mounted on the top part. They move as one unit. The base moves separately to the top section.
Great video! General conclusion, this works better than at least half of the auto shop work. Why? Let me explain. First, we have to conclude that, if both done correctly, the dynamic balancing machine gives better balance than the bubble one. That's called the technical improvement. However, if a dynamic balancing machine is not operated properly, it GIVES BAD RESULTS and is no way better than, in fact much worse, than a properly used bubble balancer. As a matter of fact, I can say at least half of the auto mechanics in this country who uses the dynamic balancer every day don't know how it works. That gives a problem that based on the working principle of dynamic balancing machines, it needs THE FOLLOWING 3 INPUTS: rim diameter, rim width and the distance from the machine cabinet to the rim edge. It's easy to see that these 3 parameters varies between each setup of different wheels so the mechanic is supposed to DO MEASUREMENT EACH TIME HE DOES BALANCING. And the distance between cabinet and rim edge can ONLY BE MEASURED BY A RULER. So this gives a room to those knowledgeless and lazy ones that they basically just keep one combination of parameters for every wheel they try to balance. Therefore, the result can't be accurate. This also gives us a hint that, next time when you go to do a balance at an auto shop, watch the guy do it. If he basically just put the wheel onto the machine and start the computer without doing anything, he's not doing the right job.
the difference between parallax error and technical error in contrast to the end result. good explanation.
very good explanation of why I have frequently returned to the tire shop with a bouncy set of new tires
I just had new tires installed and paid a “premium” shop to do the work. I suspected a wheel was out of balance, so I bought a bubble balancer. The fronts were perfect, one rear was off by 1/2 oz, the other by 2 oz. I’d rather take a perfectly staticly balanced wheel over a sloppy dynamic balance. No more vibration now either...
Took my 5X13" rims to the shop for new tyres, I thought he did the job quick, but wheel on the car was bouncy. Returned for a re-balance, 4th return, the shop floor manager took the wheel to the machine, measured the rim and stuff, added weights, moved weights, then come told me the machine's computer is conflicted as to where the last weight is to go. It was reading the fitted weights positions themselves. Seems the 5'' wide rim needed to be static balanced. All the weight in a central location, sticky backs center located inbound side of the rim... The wheel still bounced, took it back. He said now way is it the balance, it's the hub. I used dials checking the drum as it rotated, found it was indeed off center. So you see there is more than the wheel you must deal with, but having the wheel balanced now, the wheel is not part of the problem. I'm guessing how much weight it takes to account for the drum. Adding 1/2 ounce magnets, drive, add more, it's frustrating. The bubble could balance the drum alone, tell me actually the weight, and where needs to be. Once all are remounted to the axle, the drum's counter weight could be added to the rim. Well that's the plan anyway.
My first balancer was a Balco B995 who measures all wheel dimensions automatically with sonar sensors. That takes all those errors out.
I got a balancer from HF. Works perfectly. I set it up and used before watching the video - I did also put a dab of grease on the pointer. I need to get some stick on weights but used what I had laying around, cleared up a wicked vibration at 50 mph. I'll redo when I get stickons but I'm happy with the machine. Thanks for the video, confirmed a lot.
Great vid. I've been doing this for years. Old Edden bubble balancer (they were $200 before Harbor Freight), and tire irons originally.
I have one too. It's not perfect, I'd recommend rotating the wheel I/2 turn and rechecking,but it does the job. Good video. Thanks
Thanks for the video. I'm a novice but love to tackle my own jobs. This video was exactly what I needed.
Many thanks, bought several tools without instruction, this is an ideal way of finding how to use them.
Awesome job man! Very detailed and to the point. I love your videos and thank you for taking the time to put these up.
Your video has helped me set-up my machine the correct way, Thank You.
Bought a changer and balancer from HF a few years ago -- haven't been to a tire shop since. Great vid as always -- thanks!
goodfellowsgarage Nice, hate going to tire shops..wait time plus the $$.. no ty I'll keep both haha. Thanks for your comment. Cheers
+RatchetsAnd Wrenches Plus not having the crooked tire shops try to sabotage your car or lie to you. Ken Towery's tried to tell me I needed a new tie rod. COMPLETE BULLSHIT. You don't know what psychopaths like that are going to do to your car --- tamper with your brakelines? Who knows????? My security is not worth "just taking it to a shop" --- that's what all the naysayers never understand.
Just got one, priceless. Seems to work good, just have to zero it everytime you use it. Pays for itself after 4 tires. Would recomend this for a do-it-yourselfer. Waited for the sale price and used the 25% coupon and got mine for $50.00. Well worth it, a lot of shops dont want to be bothered with balancing 1 or 2 tires.
Just ordered one of these, nice explanation! Thanks!
thanks for another great video, very informative as always, clear and to the point, and thanks for clean language, you're awesome, have been following for about a year now
Great instructional video. Thanks for the help.
Works perfectly, I use it to balance all my tires now
Do you think bubble balancer’s are not accurate?
They balance helicopter rotors and airplane propellers with bubble balancer’s
When you buy brand new tires, and they sell you a balance job for $15 a tire. They tell you they balance the tires to the micron, whatever that is. I tell the salesman I have an old Atlas balance machine that was used in service stations up until they came out with spin balancers.
Sometimes they Skoff at me and say but we balance to the micron with our super Duper up-to-date spin balancer.
I ask if they clean my wheel completely before they balance. They say no, I ask if they cut all the whiskers from the tire mold when the tire was made off of the tire before they spin balance they say no.
I say, then I’ll pass on your micron balance job because if you’re not cleaning the entire wheel and tire and get all those little whiskers off the tire that are going to disappear after 20 miles of driving, that’s going to change your micron balance so I’d be wasting my money. I’ll balance them at home myself ...I will clean the wheel, and the tires will have the whiskers removed for me driving the tires for about 50 miles first..
Bubble levelers are still used in construction squares, even in surveyors laser GPS equipment, they rely on bubbles. Bubbles don’t lie, and neither bubble balancers
It is not that those spin balancers are that more accurate. Those can balance within 1-2 grams, but mostly set to 5 gram. The difference is that with spin balancers you can balance dynamic, instead of static.
If the imbalance is in a single plane, the wheel will only bounce. If there is dynamic imbalance (wider rims) on a static balanced wheel, it can wobble.
In case anyone needs any more validity added to bubble balancers:
I used to work in an aircraft hanger doing laser metrology, where we would place hundred thousand dollar laser trackers on stands that we bubble balance. The aircraft is measured to 0.001" degree of accuracy, and they rely on bubble balancers to get that job done. Yeah there are probably better digital balancers out there that could do the job but a bubble balancer works just as well at a fraction of the cost.
@@koyaanisqatsi316 is it possible to balance static and dynamic with this bubble machine
How accurate are they though? I have a Lotus Elise which has front wheels which have to be perfectly balanced or you can feel vibration, as the steering is so sensitive. Most fitters screw it up and I'd do it myself if I could :/
Damn ....the power of bubbles
Great job. It took me a while to get the tires onto the rims. I had notice if the bottom portion sits all around the bead. It made it near impossible for men to get the tires onto the upper portion of the rim.
Once I moved the bottom bead toward the top of the rim a
little, it gave me more of a slack on the upper portion of the tire to pry it over the rim 🫣😫.
Tomorrow I’ll do the rock removal from the treads of the and I’ll balance them. Thank you for the video. I also bought this balancer and manual tire changer.
Bendiciones, God blessings to
All. I started at 10 am and finished at 2am. 😬. I had to do 8 tires in total.
Thanks Man, Yet another great video As Always!
Very professionally done, only facts, tips etc...
Excellent video. Thank you!
awesome videos thanks man...i knew there must of been a manual way of doing it :)
Great videos on the tire changer and bubble balance.
Yet another great and informative video, thanks.
Hi, I like when you explained everything with the all details. So my question is, so if I do that & I take it the tire in the Mashine to compared if is even? That will be okay?
you know in the balance Mashine got to be 0.0.0
to be perfect..... and thanks again, Chicago, I am mitad del mundo, thanks!!
Thank you for this well done video.
Is there a limit to the size you can accurately balance on a device like this? Many new vehicles are coming with 18 and 20 inch wheels. Would it be more difficult to balance larger wheels?
Excellent and informative video
Cool. Now I know how tires are balanced. Of course the shops will have computer precision balancing equipment, but this.. this is gold. Thanks.
MattHumanPizza Yes its not as accurate but done right it will get the job done. And after the initial investment its free!! Tx for your comment!
Before the tech digital age this is how it was done
Great videos. Thanks for the help!
I've got one of these and to be fair, they do work.
Thanks for posting. Good job
It would be cool if you put it on a digital tire machine to test your results.
Just put it on the car and drive if it shakes you know it ain’t balance
@@_beastmode_rc yeah, no doubt, I totally get it but I grew out of the whole "trial and error" process a long time ago.
so does this method balance tires as well as a tire shop expensive machine balance?also how much for this?Can you recommend a good tire mounting device that works well and won't damage rims? Thanks for the great instructional video. ..
Excellent. Yes, I get BETTER results every time with my bubble balancer than I ever got at a service center. It is funny whenever bubble balancers are brought up, hordes of trolls show up and try to shout me down that "they don't work". Anyway, using the service center, the shady guys always try to break something on my car and claim it was "like that". Never mind the $50 I save ever time i want a balance, I don't trust these jerks to put their jealous psycho hands on my cars!
I have a custom import car I have spent wayyy to much on and can't stand when these fucks who make $9.00 a hr work on it. I'm buying that thing lol
Louie Watson Mechanics, no. Wheel shop monkies, YES. I used a tire shop that rhymes with "Ben Bowery's" once. I asked politely for the guy to torque the wheel lugs down to a spec (I gave him), which they should do all the time, but was important because this wheel had adapaters. Then I watch the guy use an impact gun to put the bolts on! This could have CRACKED the adapter and caused me to careen into a schoolbus full of children or something! Then he tells me that I "need a new upper control arm for $900". Sorry Ben Bowery's employee, I had them replaced with TOYOTA genuine parts only one month prior! (and they were only $250 for both sides on the front!)
Slappy Fistwad im with you i do all my repairs on my car i know it backward and frontward. i go for tires shaking my wheel they look at the boot of a tie rod outter and it had some grease on it the tech say your tierods are bad i said no i just changed them 20k miles ago theres no way so i shake it whille on the jack and its tight as new tried to sell me brakes tires tie rod all kinds of stuff. tirned out i had a bad tire bouncing they tried to chatge me 45 dollars for a balance!!!
Yeah I've had a similar problem and it was a simple matter of a metal fragment embedded in the tire, which a simple patch fixed. For nuisance vibrations, I reinflate all tires to same pressure, then road test. If it's still there, I retorque lug nuts, then road test. Still there? Rotate, road test. If it's still there, I try to see if the vibrations are coming from the same location (something's up with that tire then). Still there? then balance.
Slappy Fistwad Explain to me how you would perform a dynamic balance with a bubble balancer?
Thank so much for the great details video
I'm thinking of getting one. Will it work with a rim that has a 4.5" hub opening? Thanks.
in a pinch you can balance a tire by hanging it with a rope from it center and using a floor level.
Poor mans off road racing technique.
haha nice, thats pretty cool.
@Do One i said poor mans off road racing technique didn't I?
@therockkkkher you'd have to make some sort of adapters for your giant hub opening.
That brings back memories. I used to work at a gas station when I was 11 years old. I did oil changes, fixed flats, and I even drove the service truck. I had the keys to the local funeral home and I used to do the oil changes, and detailing on the hurses and family cars every Friday night. I even did water pump replacements, alternator replacements etc. I know I spelled hurses wrong, but I just can't remember how it's properly spelled.
Leo Ryan isn't it a crime to have someone work at such a young age?
You get a work permit...
Leo & Dan Ryan no one cares
I had new tyres balanced like that and they were just as smooth as electronic balancers. I think if your car is sensitive to critical wheel balance then you probably have a suspension problem. How did it drive?
👌great review - thanks 👍👍👍👍👍
The tire changer and the balancer are cheaply made. I have had to weld gussets on the bead breaker and the main stem of the frame, but it is sturdy after doing so. The balancer just takes some practice. I do my Ram 2500 tires, S10 and Blazer tires, and all 4 tires on my 115 mph drag car. Old drag racers will know who I mean when I say "it (bubble balancing) was good enough for Bill Jenkins - it is damn sure good enough for me". One of the best reasons to have this equipment around is that you can do a tire when it suits you, not just when Pep Brothers is open.
You rock! Thanks for the tips.
Thanks another great video.
Thanks for the video. I’m a mechanic at a garage that does high volume tire mount, balance and alignments. I would be interested in seeing how far out of balance you are once you throw a tire on the manual balancer compared to digital balancing.
Not trying to be a nay sayer, but considering you can’t account for all aspects of balance, it would be off quite a bit.
Thanks for the video. A follow up with this would be awesome.
If you aren’t able to, let me know. I can probably swing picking up this balancer, trying it and throwing the tire on one of our balancers.
to me it balances better than a balancing machine, as you can see the level with your eyes and balance it
tnx dude i learn alot
Great video !
Great video good explanation
Great video 👍
Tried this on some tyres I did, put the weight on and when driving was feeling the vibration around 30/40mph, I think the machine is the best option
great video thanks
how do you know where put "weight" inside or outside side of rim?
The specs on most of these say they only work for hubs up to 4". A set of my wheels just happen to be around 4 1/4. Possible that this balancer would still work?
Could you use this to check alloys for buckles?
hello sir, well my bubble balance is much as the one you have , i got a little arrow point next to the bubble what i thought was the start place and to line the arrow up with the arrow, the arrow looks like this > , and , well you know the 3 little devil feet legs on the bottom of the base lol, well i ground them off to make the bottom all flush, so that it couldn't tip, and it will tip to one side or the other, and it do not matter if the floor is level or not, did you ever see a chair with 3 legs > and try to sit on it what would happen? it would tip over, but now if the legs was only 1/8 of an inch long the sides would stop the chair from tipping over, the same as the balance is doing , you think it isn't tipping but it defiantly is tipping to one side, and maybe i might put 4 stable adjustable legs on mine to make it better yet,
hello sir, i know this video is 2014 , but they are still selling the same balancers , and i have a bubble balancer just like the one you have sir, and i set up every thing perfect, check in every spot on the bubble by turning around , and the bubble is centered good , and then balanced my wheel, and when i had the wheel all balanced the led was added on the light spot of the wheel like every one is doing on here, when back to the balancer but before i put on the tire that i have already balancer i turned the top cone to a different direction then put the wheel down nice in place, and every time i do this in a different place and turn the top cone it's giving me a different light spot to add the led , to add the Waite led , like the balancer do not have the erect light spot, if a wheel is balanced off the erect and only 1 light spot on the wheel what kind of a balance are we getting here, and if i did find the right light spot how would i know that it's the right place, if the balancer did find it , i was wondering if all the bubble balancers are working like mine and if you would be kind and let me know if it is so the same sir, have a great and wonderful evening sir , that you.
Good job, and great video.
I've been changing tyres at a shop for a few years, using "normal" machines.
If you're just balancing (not new tyre), don't remove the weights. Most often, and as it looks like in your video, the weights end up at the same place as before. You normally have to add, or remove just a little bit.
Small rocks in tyre doesn't affect to much as they are normally spread out pretty evenly. Also, a little dirt on the rim as you had, has so little weight to it, and is so evenly spread out that it's really nothing.
+Rayner Bønå Cleaning is good so you don't try to stick weights to an unclean surface.
It is possible to clean just the spot you're setting the weight....
It would be impractical. Plus the wheels deserve some love.
good job. thanks for the info. but I'll stick to free balance and rotate from discount tire
After two shops told me they couldn't mount my tires unless I bought them from their store I decided to learn how to do this myself. I already mount and balance my motorcycle tires.
I hope I’m your one millionth subscriber!
Cool video man
Very good video
Have you had any issues with bubble balancing a tire? Like while driving over 50mph, has there been any vibration?
Do you have to have the weights on the rim after your balance a new tires? I just got new tires at the shop and 3 have the weights but one has no visible weights on the rim.
Thank you
The one without weight balanced perfectly, hence no weights on the rim
Ever try those balancing beads u put inside the tires? I'm kinda new to all this.. I want to start doing everything at home.. tires, breaks, shox etc.. good vid thanx.
John Ludwig Don't do it at home unless you have been trained to do it right. Tires are far more complicated than people give them credit for.
If you want to balance a tire correctly you need a dynamic machine balance. If you want to do it half assed then by all means buy this crap and do it.
@Do One The reason you can get away with it on bike tyres is the same reason you can get away with it on vintage tyres. Width.
The only reason dynamic balancing became the way to balance car tyres was because the became too wide for static balance to keep as accurate.
The bike tyres that are wide and low diameter are the same. They can be static balanced, but it isn't as accurate as dynamic.
With most narrow bike tyres it doesn't make enough of a difference.
Someone suggested 4-point balance with the bubble balancer could achieve the best result. Do anyone know or has tried it?
Excellent video. I'm tired of throwing my money away everytime I purchase new tires. Thanks you so much!
Mega Pijon np, glad you liked the video. Thanks for commenting. cheers
+Mega Pijon buying this crap is not "throwing away"? modern mechanic shops offer $40-80 tire installation and balance. Yet people still complain about it and want to DIY with these bullshits. no wonder poor people will remain being poor
+yuchen 123 Yuchen, please send me $60. Otherwise don't complain that this amount is NOTHING. Prove your point by sending me free $60. That is what you are asking ME to do
+Slappy Fistwad $80 paid to shop for balancing worth the money. DIYer most likely would screw up a job and bubble balancer is not sufficient for modern cars with nice mags going over 80mph daily. This is a waste of money and waste of time
yuchen 123 Wrong. I balanced my tires on a 93 ls400. Smooth as glass all the way up to 130 mph (yeah I really shouldn't have been going that fast, so sue me)
also if you guys don't want to mess with the balancer, just buy dyna beads. they balance your bearings, rotor, tires, etc. just add them through the stem then put core in and air up
Do you know of a Tire Bubble Balancer that will work on 8 Lug Ford Tires? The Center Bore of an 8 Lug Ford rim is 4 3/4 inches. All I have been able to find are bubble balancers that go up to four inches... And/or some sore of adapter that I can use! By the way! Great Video!
Nice work on the vid. Right this second I am trying to think of a way to mount a more accurate level. When I win this battle of wits I will report back. Stay gold.
***** haha, sounds good. Thanks for watching and all your comments! cheers
I like how this guy works
Correct me if I'm wrong (please), but when placing the rim on the balancer, shouldn't the concave/backside of the rim be facing UP rather than down? Seems like the way you have it would be a lot less sensitive to uneven weight distribution.
Absolutely what i thought. The effect of the mass of the weights increases pro-quo the farther from the pivot axis. All done for also spotting this.
Again, I recommend NOT removing old weights. Sometimes you don't have to mess with the weights at all or just remove piece by piece
yep, and as he said this does only the static balancing not the dinamic balance ! At the tyre shop, dont let them fit the wheel on a taper of the balancing machine on the centre hole of the rim ! It must be fitted as on the car with equal nuts. Some times the centre hole is not in the centre of the rim....been there, done that !
Hey good stuff to know, thanks alot, who doesn't like to save money right!
Can anyone measure the max diameter of the cone for me? I have landcruiser rims with inner hub diameter of 110mm, want to know if I could use one of these
Thanks
good video
That's pretty cool
A great easy way to balance tires if you're going to go thru the hassle of mounting them yourself, before you inflate the tire to seat the bead,m go to your auto parts store and ask for balancing beads, they'll ask you for your tire size, and give you a bag (in ounces) matching for the certain size tire you out the bag (un opened) in the tire, inflate to proper PSI, and mount to you car, go for a quick ride around the block or down a back ally, the vibration will break the bag open and these little ceramic beads automaticly balance the tire for you. It if you want to go to Walmart and get a bottle of plastic airsoft BBs and toss a hand full into each tire. Works every time for me and have never had a customer come back complaining of vibrations from an un balanced tire.
Balancing beads are not, repeat, not recommended for anything less than a 32 in tire, they will not work, repeat, they will not work, creates serious in balance. Tried it on 275-55-20s and 275-75-17, did not work felt like a bent rim
So does method really work .
to balance you have to put the weight actually where it will be stuck to the rim, not on the tire. the moment arm changes if you put it on the tire when you "balance" it.
For those of you arguing over the stated price of the balancer: this exact balancer is $79.99 USD at Harbor Freight Tools online or in store. I missed where he said what he paid in the video but that's what I paid for mine. m.harborfreight.com/portable-wheel-balancer-39741.html
Can you just flip the tire over and balance it from the other side to eliminate drawing that line?
If - & I say *IF* - you don't run into any issues with raised areas on the front side of the wheel, such as the lugnut seats or the stamped ridges between them, I suppose it would work, but the wheel must rest flat & secure against the seat of the balancer for it to work properly. Certain aluminum rims I've seen have a flatness to the front side that might very well work that way, But I'd rather just use a dry erase marker to index the spot for the weight(s). Lot easier that way. A pencil would also be a non permanent way to mark the rim...
How can I know if the waights going inside or outside?
Can you just turn the tire and wheel over to balance it?
nah, it would be more top heavy that way, it might work though
Got one!! Rubbish on small, lighter car wheels where slippage occurs on the top ring when lifting under the compression spring pressure after the cone alignment. No matter how careful you release the wheel you cant ensure the cone alignment stays.
Further to my comment I have learned a major UK specialist classic vehicle company, 'Frost Auto Restoration' have determined a set of weaker springs for the balancer to accommodate lighter wheels. These cost around £6 (10 USD) for the set of four.
+thunderc45 Good to know. When I first view where the weights should be placed then pick up the tire and turn it, and place it back on the balancer the tire balance isn't moving with the previous location. This might be why...
static balancing get be just as accurate if not more... I do my motorcycle tires with the 'rod stand' and my car and truck tires with the bubble stand- never a problem.
you deserve a pressure washer. great vid & very easy to follow
With tape weights can't you flip the rim upside down so you know where to tape them. I have never used one of them ..i all ways used a tire balancer
Yeah, that's what I was going to ask
This makes $10 per tire not seem that bad
Why can you balance the tire by sticking weight on the inside of the rim, shouldn t be sticking on the out side and inside of the rims ? i mean when you balancing on the manchine the point out where you need to stick weight on the inside or/and outside of the rims. i am quite confuse about the methode. Don t get me wrong its nice how to video!! My question its the methode how it been balances. can you explaine more about this methode thanks!!
well since the wheel on the balancer is free to wobble around and only has 1 supporting point, it acts like a lever so sticking the weights on the inside or outside shouldn't matter too much balance wise unless your rims are really thick. You want to place the weights on the outside of the rims so that it is easier to test out the balance, but you don't want to stick them to the outside of the rims because it would not look good and it would fall off easily. Once you test out the balance by placing the weights on the outside of the rims, mark the position of the weight and draw a line straight down and to the inside of the rims so that they will apply as close force as when you placed them on the outside. This is why the results won't be as accurate as doing it with computer programs so I suggest checking it with the bubble balance again after you stick the weights on the inside to see if the results are the same. Hope this helps :)
I am surprised no one on here seems to know about dynamic balancing vs. static, which is all the bubble balancer can do. However, it's moot as far as I am concerned, because I don't balance my wheels at all, because I do very little freeway driving.
Do you still use this? Thanks
Here's a little garage secret thatll only cost a dollar, it called "totally awesome cleaner" the best degrease I've ever used. dollar tree is where u get it for a dollar, other places sell it for more.
Edgar Bravo been using that too all around the house specially at the garage...
Edgar Bravo ether
Good stuff use it on all my cars interior to clean em
Excellent product!
It is good for the backyard mechanic or the do-it-yourselfer remember you get what you pay for
how do you know if the weight has to be mounted on the outside or inside of the rim ?
you dont but u could just use common sense and do a little of each, im looking to do this so i can hide wheel weights at the back of some custom wheels, they used the machine and stuck weights all over my nice wheels.
OK BRAVO
Does this actually do a good enough job for a modern car? I've had tire balancing go badly at so many tire shops. I've probably spent over a thousand dollars on balancing in the last ten years. How might one do a proper "front and back" balance the way the $$$ machines do with a bubble balancer?
+hetouahta htneuohtnueo works great on my 93 ls400. I had a guy at Ken Towery's try to sabotage that car and then charge me $900.
Will it work on a larger rim like a 20"
It is not how large the rim is, but how wide. Wider wheels can have dynamic imbalance and you can't compensate that with a bubble.