Wheel Balancing Issues???
11-13-03, 07:11 AM
#1
Wheel Balancing Issues???
Hello all: Since I have read many threads detailing the different wheel and tire types and sizes, can anyone tell me what kinds of problems they have had with vibrations? Example, my forst set of 18" tires were 245x40x18 Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712's- I could not get them balanced to save my life. I finally got rid of them, and the cheap Enkies I had bought-(CDR-9- 18x7).
Next, I bought a high quality set of wheels- two piece Altstadt Type1 forged wheels-18x8.5 in front, 18x9.5 in rear. I have put a set of Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR's- 235x40x18 in front, and 265x35x18 in the rear. Much better set-up than the previous set. Ride is much better. But, I still get vibrations, now at 70-80 mph after a new balance. My tires can't seem to hold a balance, at first they are great, after a while (couple three weeks), they vibrate. What's up with this?
I have been told by many that it is the tire, and that I have been buying cheap tires. I have been told to buy at least a Dunlop FM901 or Michelin Pilot Sport, or the equivalents, and that due to the different steel belt construction, they will hold their balance. Anybody have any experience with this?
1)What are the best tires?
2)Where to buy them?
3)What is the best type of balance?
4)Your experiences?
Thanks,
Ryan
Next, I bought a high quality set of wheels- two piece Altstadt Type1 forged wheels-18x8.5 in front, 18x9.5 in rear. I have put a set of Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR's- 235x40x18 in front, and 265x35x18 in the rear. Much better set-up than the previous set. Ride is much better. But, I still get vibrations, now at 70-80 mph after a new balance. My tires can't seem to hold a balance, at first they are great, after a while (couple three weeks), they vibrate. What's up with this?
I have been told by many that it is the tire, and that I have been buying cheap tires. I have been told to buy at least a Dunlop FM901 or Michelin Pilot Sport, or the equivalents, and that due to the different steel belt construction, they will hold their balance. Anybody have any experience with this?
1)What are the best tires?
2)Where to buy them?
3)What is the best type of balance?
4)Your experiences?
Thanks,
Ryan
11-13-03, 08:34 AM
#2
Chicago Lexus Club Moderator
I have 245/45/17 BF Goodrich g-force T/A KDWS in front and 275/40/17R BF Goodrich g-force KDW in the rear. They quiet, soft, and overall I love them. I got the tires from Discount Tire. They balanced (statically) and installed them. After 6 months I had to go back to get them re-balanced.
I always thought you're seposed to get the new tires re-balanced once they set in. At Discount Tire the balancing is free if you got the tires from them.
Chris
I always thought you're seposed to get the new tires re-balanced once they set in. At Discount Tire the balancing is free if you got the tires from them.
Chris
Last edited by DIrEctQL; 11-13-03 at 08:35 AM.
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11-14-03, 01:54 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Tire balance
Tires not only have to be balanced correctly, the tire-wheel assembly also has to be perfectly round as well. A good tire-balance machine will tell you exactly where to put the weights on a square-shaped tire to get a perfect rolling balance, but what kind of ride will you actually get on the road? See my point? In addition, the balance machine has to be calibrated properly and the operator has to know what he/she is doing. Next time the tire is on the machine, look carefully at it while it is spinning and see if there is any up-and-down motion or side-to-side wobble. if the shop will not allow you to do this, INSIST on it. If still no, take your business elsewhere.
If you DO see wobble, dismount the tire and mount it on the point opposite its former position on the wheel. Look again while it is spining. If it still has wobble, do a 90-degree remount. if you STILL have visible wobble, then the tire is defective and should be replaced.
Wheels can also be out of round, but this is very unusual on a Lexus because all Lexus products come with precision-cast alloy wheels that are as perfectly round as possible. in almost all cases, the tire, the machine, or the technician is at fault.
If you DO see wobble, dismount the tire and mount it on the point opposite its former position on the wheel. Look again while it is spining. If it still has wobble, do a 90-degree remount. if you STILL have visible wobble, then the tire is defective and should be replaced.
Wheels can also be out of round, but this is very unusual on a Lexus because all Lexus products come with precision-cast alloy wheels that are as perfectly round as possible. in almost all cases, the tire, the machine, or the technician is at fault.
11-14-03, 09:36 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Get on car high speed balancing done. Worth every penny. High end shops do this.
Nittos are junk in my opinion. Michelin makes the 'roundest' tires, but they're expensive. Again, you get what you pay for.
I have Dunlop SP9000's on my car now. Balance is great IF tires are warmed up and the pressures are right. I run hub-centric staggered 19's (HREs) with about 37psi cold all around.
Do you have centering rings if your Alstadts aren't hubcentric?
Oh and what mmarshall says is great.
Finally, you aren't going to get decent balancing done at any 'free' place like Discount Tire.
Nittos are junk in my opinion. Michelin makes the 'roundest' tires, but they're expensive. Again, you get what you pay for.
I have Dunlop SP9000's on my car now. Balance is great IF tires are warmed up and the pressures are right. I run hub-centric staggered 19's (HREs) with about 37psi cold all around.
Do you have centering rings if your Alstadts aren't hubcentric?
Oh and what mmarshall says is great.
Finally, you aren't going to get decent balancing done at any 'free' place like Discount Tire.
Last edited by bitkahuna; 11-14-03 at 09:38 PM.
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