Wheel balancing - something to remember

One of the most neglected activities is wheel balancing. It is worth taking care of them to avoid failure of the suspension and steering. This will be cheaper and safer.

It happens that, having felt the vibrations of the steering wheel while driving, the car owner decides to replace the elements of the steering system. Meanwhile, in many cases it would be sufficient to balance the wheels. The upcoming replacement of summer tires with winter ones is a good opportunity.

First, washing

Always remember to balance when changing wheels or tires. In most tire shops, this service is included in the price of winter tires. But many motorists who have two sets of tires change them themselves. This operation is not too difficult, it is enough to have a jack, an asphalted yard and a good key. In such a situation, balancing is out of the question. And then problems can arise.

“Wheel balancing is extremely important, also for safety,” emphasizes Marek Wlodarczyk, Head of Gumar Service in Zielona Góra.

As he says, they need to be carried out at least once every 10-15 thousand. km - for both steel and aluminum wheels. The latter need to be controlled even more often, because they are easier to damage, which means changing the weight distribution on the wheel. Wlodarczyk also reminds you that before balancing the wheels, they must be washed thoroughly. While driving, they collect dirt, sand or dust from the brake pads.

Wheel balancing methods.

The simplest, i.e. kettlebells, are the best. We have two types, one studded, the other glued. The former are for steel rims, the latter for aluminum rims. For many years, tests have been conducted on various drugs that get inside the tires. The preparations or powders must be distributed in the tire in such a way as to compensate for any unevenness. However, this method is very troublesome, more expensive than the traditional one, and sometimes unreliable. So let's take a look at the scales.

disturbing vibrations

It is not difficult to admit that the wheels of our car are poorly balanced. The most common symptoms are vibrations in the steering wheel, sometimes the entire body, uneven tire wear, or even a rollover of the rear of the car if the rear wheels are faulty. We add that the vibration of the steering wheel may disappear at higher speeds, but are noticeable at lower speeds.

Having noticed these symptoms, it is necessary to visit the service, even if we have driven only a few thousand kilometers since the last tire change. The same applies to situations where the wheels are heavily loaded (see box) or disassembled.

- It happens, - says Wlodarczyk, - that the driver got into a random workshop, where the steering system was replaced, and the vibrations are still noticeable. The reason is simple - unbalanced wheels.

The result of wheel imbalance is faster and more uneven wear of tires, shock absorbers, joints, tie rods and bearings. Simply put, there is a suspension in the car, and repairs are usually expensive. Meanwhile, in order to balance all the wheels, you will have to pay several tens of zlotys.

When to balance a wheel

1. Always after any collision or accident,

2. After hitting a curb or falling into a large hole,

3. After a sharp but prolonged braking,

4. After a long drive on bad roads or bumps

5. Every time, if for various reasons we removed the wheel,

6. After driving in deep mud or snow

7. Always when changing tires.