Clem Smith
Member
After I mount my new Goodyears...how do you balance 19" Model A tires/wheels? Or do you balance them?
Thanks, Clem
Thanks, Clem
Wheel balancing
- Thread starter Clem Smith
- Start date
Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
There are several methods depending on the amount of imbalance, sometimes just changing the position of the tire on the rim is enough -matching the heavy spot of the tire to the light spot of the rim.
If you don't mind the look "normal" weights fit.
Then there is the method of using weighted patches in the tire -
http://www.patchrubber.com/tire_repair/14601.html
Another is a product called Dynabeads
http://innovativebalancing.com/
Some people just wrap lead solder around spokes.
If you don't drive over 45 you probably won't notice any difference balanced or not.
Most balancing machines will not mount the A wheel easily or accuratly, an old drum on a spindle with lightly oiled bearings works.
If you don't mind the look "normal" weights fit.
Then there is the method of using weighted patches in the tire -
http://www.patchrubber.com/tire_repair/14601.html
Another is a product called Dynabeads
http://innovativebalancing.com/
Some people just wrap lead solder around spokes.
If you don't drive over 45 you probably won't notice any difference balanced or not.
Most balancing machines will not mount the A wheel easily or accuratly, an old drum on a spindle with lightly oiled bearings works.
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
Recently I mounted 5 Goodyears.
They will have dots with different colors. It is not clear what they all mean. One color is the heavy spot and another is for a high spot.
Based on what guys with a lot of A experience say you best bet is to consider Dynabeads. First see what you have.
Mount a spindle on a bench and put some lightly oiled well spinning bearings on a hub.
Get your tire mounted and up in pressure. Be sure you watch the bead seat properly.
Spin the tire and make sure it is fairly round, the Goodyears tend to be round from what I experienced and others have told me.
Start with the dot near the valve stem and see how the wheel settles. If it rapidly settles on a spot, split the difference with the dot and see what happens.
I found by moving the tire around the rim I was able to almost balance one wheel and noticeably reduce the imbalance in the others. One wheel was pretty good just by putting the dot at the valve.
It is a bit more work, but you end up with a bit more naturally settled balance. Depending on your driving habits you may be close enough without balancing. Keep in mind the A suspension has a lot of sprung weight that will naturally absorb the wheel imbalance.
If you are using freshly painted or (worse) powder coated wheels then you need to make sure the wheel to drum contact points are smooth. Too much paint or powder coat can cause the drum to distort up to .012" based on my wheels. You will also get loose lug nuts as the paint wears off.
They will have dots with different colors. It is not clear what they all mean. One color is the heavy spot and another is for a high spot.
Based on what guys with a lot of A experience say you best bet is to consider Dynabeads. First see what you have.
Mount a spindle on a bench and put some lightly oiled well spinning bearings on a hub.
Get your tire mounted and up in pressure. Be sure you watch the bead seat properly.
Spin the tire and make sure it is fairly round, the Goodyears tend to be round from what I experienced and others have told me.
Start with the dot near the valve stem and see how the wheel settles. If it rapidly settles on a spot, split the difference with the dot and see what happens.
I found by moving the tire around the rim I was able to almost balance one wheel and noticeably reduce the imbalance in the others. One wheel was pretty good just by putting the dot at the valve.
It is a bit more work, but you end up with a bit more naturally settled balance. Depending on your driving habits you may be close enough without balancing. Keep in mind the A suspension has a lot of sprung weight that will naturally absorb the wheel imbalance.
If you are using freshly painted or (worse) powder coated wheels then you need to make sure the wheel to drum contact points are smooth. Too much paint or powder coat can cause the drum to distort up to .012" based on my wheels. You will also get loose lug nuts as the paint wears off.