Signs of improper wheel balancing: how to check it yourself. The danger of poor balancing
Content
The main indicator of a problem with the wheels is the beating of the steering column at high speeds or during rapid acceleration. Violated maneuverability, the car constantly leads in one direction. These signs of improper wheel balancing lead to premature wear of other parts of the machine - suspension elements, universal joint and steering column.
Incorrect balancing of the machine can lead to damage to equipment and mechanisms. The reasons for the imbalance are different - from the quality of the tires to the violation of the installation rules. The main signs of poor wheel balancing are wobble, vibrations and extraneous noises when driving.
Causes and symptoms of imbalance
A uniformly rotating disk has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the center of gravity, and located at the same distance from the middle of the circle point. These characteristics are satisfied by the balanced wheels of the car. To avoid breakdowns, it is necessary to regularly check the uniform rotation of the discs assembled with tires on the stand.
Types of incorrect wheel balancing:
- Static - in which the center of gravity and the axis of rotation are shifted. This leads to vertical wobble and serious problems with the control systems and suspension.
- Dynamic - consists in the mismatch of the axes of inertia and rotation. This type of deviation from the norm affects the rapid wear of the tires and suspension parts of the car.
Types of wheel imbalance
Symptoms of signs of improper wheel balancing - when the vibration of the body and steering column is felt on the road in motion. The car pulls in one direction, a rumble is heard when the wheels rotate, the tread wears unevenly.
When to check balance
If there is extraneous noise and vibration transmitted through the body and steering column of the machine, it is necessary to carry out unscheduled maintenance.
Typical signs of poor wheel balance:
- Vibrations on the front axle transmitted to the steering wheel at vehicle speeds above 60 km/h.
- The appearance of bald rubber instead of a tread pattern on the more loaded side of the tires.
- When driving on a flat road from 100 km / h, the shock absorbers do not work - the back of the car sways and jumps.
- There is a noticeable increase in fuel consumption even when driving on the highway at a constant speed.
- A loud hum is heard, drowning out other sounds, in the passenger compartment when driving fast.
Wheel imbalance interferes with steering
When checking the wheel balance, it is necessary to test the wheels on the stand. Out-of-roundness or deformation can lead to runout even after quality tire work has been done.
What balancing errors can be
Changing the shoes of a car in a car service is sometimes carried out in violation of technology. This is usually a consequence of the low qualification of the performer or haste.
The main signs of poor wheel balancing as a result of erroneous actions:
- Dust and dirt on the surface, stuck objects in the tread.
- The inner side of the disc is poorly lubricated, the rubber does not rise evenly when pumped with air.
- A cluttered workplace, a dirty machine and foreign objects that interfere with wheel balance.
- The mark on the tire does not match the location of the nipple, which violates the distribution of mass around the circumference.
The yellow mark must line up with the nipple hole
The balancing machine must be calibrated and securely fixed. On alloy wheels, weights are glued to a degreased surface. At the stand, the values of the indicators should be zero. The mass of weights on one side is not more than 60 grams. During installation, a torque wrench is used. Observe the correct tightening of the nuts - crosswise.
Signs of poor balance
The main indicator of a problem with the wheels is the beating of the steering column at high speeds or during rapid acceleration. Violated maneuverability, the car constantly leads in one direction. These signs of improper wheel balancing lead to premature wear of other parts of the machine - suspension elements, universal joint and steering column.
Find out about the problem usually when replacing seasonal tires. Just changing tires is not enough. It is necessary to balance the disk assembly with the tire on the stand. Tire fitting equipment must be calibrated by a metrological organization.
Balancing stand
How to check the balance on the car with your own hands
For tire fitting, a spacious room is usually provided, where there is a powerful power supply for the machine and a large supply of consumables. Most drivers cannot accommodate complex equipment in the garage on their own. Therefore, in order to check the wheel balance on the car for free with your own hands, you need to use improvised means.
Sequencing:
- Jack up the car.
- Turn the disc hard.
- Make a chalk line at the bottom of the tire.
- Repeat the procedure several times.
Wheel balance check
If all the marks are gathered in one area, then these are signs of improper wheel balancing.
When the indicators are checked by the drivers themselves at home, diagnostic errors are possible due to dirt on the tires, uneven bolt tightening and disk deformation.
The result of incorrect wheel balancing
The condition for maintaining the car in good working order and a comfortable ride is regular maintenance. Part of this procedure is running gear diagnostics. If the signs of wheel balancing indicate possible problems, you need to fix the problem on a special stand. Radial and end runout of the disc when the car is moving can lead to serious damage.
Consequences of incorrect balancing:
- Reduced tire grip, increased stopping distance.
- Rapid wear of the suspension - ball joint, wheel bearing, levers and silent blocks.
- Deterioration of the stability of the car on the road and the quality of handling when driving at high speed.
- Increased risk of accidents and frequent breakdowns of vehicle parts and systems.
- Strong noise and vibration, discomfort in the car.
Unbalanced wheels in motion create large shock loads, which naturally leads to vehicle malfunction and expensive repairs.
