Tire or wheel balancing is the process where you equalize the weight of the combined tire and wheel assembly so that it spins smoothly at high speeds. A wheel balancer spins an inflated tire and wheel assembly and senses where the heavy spot is with unique piezo-electric sensors. The software in the balancer can then determine where to place weight on the rim to even out the imbalance and reduce vibration.

Balanced tires will not only ride smoother making for a more enjoyable driving experience but it will also increase the life of the tire, the suspension and increase fuel economy.

There are different types of balancers and different balancing processes and the experts at Rock Solid can help determine which type will best suit your needs and fit your budget.

Types of Balancing:

•  Static Balancing
• Static balancing is popular on trailer tires or larger off-road tires. It balances only one direction or a single-plane so it doesn’t matter if the weight is placed on the outside, inside or center of the wheel as long as its at the correct place (usually 12 or 6 o’clock)
• Dynamic Balancing:
• Dynamic balancing is the most popular way to balance passenger and light truck vehicles and is typically what most tire shops and dealerships do as a “standard” balance. Dynamic balancing usually requires weights placed on both the inside and the outside of the wheels. It is an improvement on static balancing because both couple and static forces are measured and corrected.
• RoadForce or Diagnostic Wheel Balancing
• RoadForce balancing simulates road conditions by applying force to the tire while on the wheel balancer to help detect issues not visible in static or dynamic balancing. Diagnostic balancers will use lasers or sonar to measure runout and roundness of the wheel and tire to give data to reduce the weight required or allow for “match-mounting” which is the process of rotating the tire and the rim to compensate or match the two in a more ideal position.

Balancer Components and Terminology:

• Shaft or Spindle - Can be threaded or pneumatically or electronically clamped. It is where the cones or mounting accessories are slid onto the balancer to mount the wheel
• Hub - Replicates the hub of the vehicle. Usually there is back pressure via a spring to properly mount the wheel to the balancer.
• Hood - Optional part of the balancer, but common as a safety and cleanliness feature to prevent dirty wheels from spraying water or contaminants when the wheel is rotating.
• Monitor, Display or Screen - The Visual readout of the balancer to illustrate where to put the weights and how much weight is required. Some balancers have a touch-screen interface while others have buttons to navigate through the menus.

• Wing Nut - This is used for threaded balancer shafts to tighten the wheel onto the balancer. Rock Solid Balancers come with “quick release” wing nuts to increase speed while mounting and dismounting wheels from the balancers.

• Cones or Collets - These accessories are required to properly mount wheels to the balancer and center them on the shaft. Cones have a taper so they can be used for a variety of rim sizes but they are less accurate than collets. Collets have less of a taper and therefore require more (typically 9-12 pieces) compared to cones (typically 4-5 pieces)

• Flange Plates or Finger Plates - These accessories replicate the wheel studs and nuts mounting a wheel on a vehicle and are therefore the most accurate way to mount wheels to a balancer. They are an optional accessory to be used in conjunction with collet sets.

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How to Balance:

All balancers that spin the tire to measure imbalance require 3 Measurements or “Data Points” to be able to properly read the imbalance.

1. Distance: The Distance from the balancer to the wheel when the wheel is mounted on the balancer shaft.
2. Diameter: 
3. Width

KEY FEATURES TO CONSIDER:

• Speed and Efficiency
• Set up times are usually quicker with automatic data entry machines
• Cycle times can be lower on higher end machines
• User-Friendly interface
• A clear, intuitive interface can reduce training for technicians
• Touchscreen or easy to navigate menus reduce errors and improper use
• Electrical requirements
• Some balancers require special 220V or special electrical plug-ins
• Rock Solid balancers come with a standard 110V plug that is commonly found in canadian buildings
• Footprint or space requirements
• Some balancers have larger cabinets, hoods or require more floor space than other compact options.
• Balancer performance can be altered if the floor is uneven or flexible. It is not recommended to balance on a pallet or wood floor because the wood can absorb some of the vibration. Concrete floors are recommended.
• Ambient temperature swings can also affect the performance of a balancer if it is placed in a heated or air-conditioned shop close to a door where the inside and outside temperature vary greatly in short periods of time.
• Weight and size capabilities
• Some balancers can do larger or smaller wheels. Be sure to check the dimensions for rim size, overall tire size, width and weight of the wheels you plan to balance
• Rock solid balancers have optional motorcycle adapters or medium duty adapters which are unique from regular car and truck tires.
• Volume and durability
• Some balancers have stronger motors and components that are designed to maintain accuracy and repeatability after more use. 
• Consider your shops growth potential and usage requirements if you anticipate increased service volume.
• Warranty and Support
• Choose manufacturers and distributors that provide robust warranties and reliable customer support. All balancers will experience breakdowns or require service at some point and its important to choose a reputable brand that can help reduce downtime and headaches when that happens.
• Training and Maintenance
• Consider the availability of training resources. Some balancers have self-calibration and self-diagnostic features for easier troubleshooting.