Wheel Balancing

[AzzurrA]

I have a set of standard R32 GTS-t rims that i am using for my track tyres (so will see some high speeds).

I found out the other day that one of them has a slight 'hop' or buckle in it from some time in the past... not much, its out of round at one point by a couple of mm.

now, the tyre shop that mounted the tyres to the rims (yesterday) and did a balance, claim that they were able to balance the wheel with the buckle/hop to within 4 grams, and the other 3 wheels to within 1 or 0 grams. They say that their usual tolerance is 7 grams, and that with the balance being that good, that i wouldn't even notice the hop/buckle...

what are your thoughts on this?

[DaFuca]

if the buckle is only tiny, i mean as you said a couple of mm. then yes when it is balanced the hop will almost disapear, but i mean if you are getting up around 160 - 200 km/h then you may still feel something, your bes bet would be put the rim with the most hop in it on the rear of the car then that way you will feel it even less.

[ellie]

Within 5 grams for road use would be acceptable as you not hitting really high speeds but being a perfectionist I like to get mine to within 1 gram.

BUT there are other tings to consider = How much wieght did it take to balance out the rim? General rule of thumb = 60 grams is about the maximum allowable but again I'd reduce that for high speed work and also you must consider your tyres. If it is only a small buckle, it shouldn't be a problem but if it is larger than the tyre will form to the buckle which will give you a vibe at best and start wearing struts, bushes, ball joints etc at very worst.

IMO if it is only a couple of mm out and it didn't take much wieght to balance out - put it on the back and it should be sweet!

What tyres did you get track whore? I was thinking of doing the same but couldn't decide wether to put semis on my stockies, Enkei's or trade my practically new sets off both sets of wheels for one semi set on the Enkei's

because for road use you'll get up to about 25-30,000 kms out of a set if W/A and pressures etc. are right and I don't drive mine that often.

Edited August 30, 2006 by ellie

[AzzurrA]

Within 5 grams for road use would be acceptable as you not hitting really high speeds but being a perfectionist I like to get mine to within 1 gram.

BUT there are other tings to consider = How much wieght did it take to balance out the rim? General rule of thumb = 60 grams is about the maximum allowable but again I'd reduce that for high speed work and also you must consider your tyres. If it is only a small buckle, it shouldn't be a problem but if it is larger than the tyre will form to the buckle which will give you a vibe at best and start wearing struts, bushes, ball joints etc at very worst.

IMO if it is only a couple of mm out and it didn't take much wieght to balance out - put it on the back and it should be sweet!

What tyres did you get track whore? I was thinking of doing the same but couldn't decide wether to put semis on my stockies, Enkei's or trade my practically new sets off both sets of wheels for one semi set on the Enkei's

because for road use you'll get up to about 25-30,000 kms out of a set if W/A and pressures etc. are right and I don't drive mine that often.

well, i just looked at the weights on the tyres then...

they read like this:

Wheel 1: 2 x 15g

Wheel 2: 1 x 30g, 1 x 15g

Wheel 3: 2 x 10g

Wheel 4 (that we identified as having the hop in it): 1 x 10g, 1 x 20g

I'm not driving the car with these rims/tyres every day... they're being used solely for track work (i.e. not very often at all)... so hopefully it won't come to the point of wearing shocks etc.... realistically, i should feel the car shaking before it comes to that anyway, shouldn't I? I guess if it is shaking more than just a little bit i'll probably just put my street tyres back on in place or something

I got myself 4 x second hand (good condition) Bridgestone RE55s in SR compound (according to this diagram, the 'hardest')

[ellie]

Suspension damage at the very worst for very bad buckles! sorry, I should of said it clearer!

BUT if the wieghts are that low I'd be surprised if they couldn't have been balanced better.

BUT that amount of weight on each rim is pretty good!

[AzzurrA]

Suspension damage at the very worst for very bad buckles! sorry, I should of said it clearer!

BUT if the wieghts are that low I'd be surprised if they couldn't have been balanced better.

BUT that amount of weight on each rim is pretty good!

i'm happy to bring them down to you to balance

[r33_racer]

Just make sure you put 100mph tape over the weights as they have a tendancy to fly off at high speeds, or if you run off the track gravel/stones either damage or help tear them off