Wheel balance question

[Chicagolakefront]

I just bought a 2017 SLT that has the 22” wheels. The dealer installed new tires, which I thought was great then after a little closer inspection I noticed these horrid balance weights. Is this the norm? I had C6 vette with very deep star rims and I don’t ever remember seeing the balance weights. Should I take it back to dealer and have them fix?

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks normal to me unless there is a way to attach the weights to the inner part of wheel I am unaware of. They don't want to show on the outside. There may be special weights that attach at the inner lip but again I am unaware of them. You only see these when parked and is the balance smooth?

 

[Tiredmechanic23]

Looks normal to me unless there is a way to attach the weights to the inner part of wheel I am unaware of. They don't want to show on the outside. There may be special weights that attach at the inner lip but again I am unaware of them. You only see these when parked and is the balance smooth?

I think he means for them to be so close to the outer lip where they are visible. Ive never had a shop place stick on weights that close to the spokes where they are visible, I have always seen them closer to the center of the wheel out of sight.

 

[Jason in DLH]

That’s where they are on my wife’s 22” KMC Slides that she got mounted and balanced from Discount Tire.

Interestingly, I’ve never noticed them on my 17” American Racing 901’s that I got mounted and balanced from Tire Rack. I’ll be checking tomorrow.

 

[George B]

There are two ways to balance tires. Static and dynamic. With a static balance they place the weights in the center of the rim and don’t take into account for the location of the imbalance. With a dynamic imbalance the machine calculates the location of the imbalance more precisely and requests weight be added in two spots on the wheel. What you see is normal practice and good for 9” wide wheels like yours. There is more info here:
https://www.derekweaver.com/learn/wheel-balancer/

 

[Chicagolakefront]

I think he means for them to be so close to the outer lip where they are visible. Ive never had a shop place stick on weights that close to the spokes where they are visible, I have always seen them closer to the center of the wheel out of sight.

Yes, they kinda stick out like a sore thumb, not very appealing.

 

[Chicagolakefront]

There are two ways to balance tires. Static and dynamic. With a static balance they place the weights in the center of the rim and don’t take into account for the location of the imbalance. With a dynamic imbalance the machine calculates the location of the imbalance more precisely and requests weight be added in two spots on the wheel. What you see is normal practice and good for 9” wide wheels like yours. There is more info here:
https://www.derekweaver.com/learn/wheel-balancer/

Thanks I’ll check that out

 

[OR VietVet]

I guess I will ask the question again to the OP. Is the balance smooth? I frankly would not care where the weights are put behind the spokes as long as the balance is smooth. Like I said, you cannot see them when driving. It may bug you because you know they are there but I prefer function over form. But that is me. It is your vehicle after all.

By the way, welcome to the forum from Oregon.

 

[Chicagolakefront]

I guess I will ask the question again to the OP. Is the balance smooth? I frankly would not care where the weights are put behind the spokes as long as the balance is smooth. Like I said, you cannot see them when driving. It may bug you because you know they are there but I prefer function over form. But that is me. It is your vehicle after all.

By the way, welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Thanks for the welcome! Happy New Year! The ride seems smooth, the tires are bf Goodrich. I have never had BF before on a truck. Maybe I’ll paint the inner wheel and weights black so the are less noticeable.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, you can always do that.

 

[George B]

Thanks for the welcome! Happy New Year! The ride seems smooth, the tires are bf Goodrich. I have never had BF before on a truck. Maybe I’ll paint the inner wheel and weights black so the are less noticeable.

The weights will oxidize and darken a bit over time. They may not be as noticeable.

 

[Bob2C]

Just had mine done with the mobile tire service from tirerack. Came right to the house. I watched him do all my tires and when he balanced them the computer noted where to place the weight on the inside of the rim with a laser dot. Some were closer to the inside and some near the front where visible. Doesn’t matter to me as long as they are properly balanced.


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[OR VietVet]

The weights will oxidize and darken a bit over time. They may not be as noticeable.

I am only asking because I don't know or remember. Does lead oxidize?

 

[George B]

I am only asking because I don't know or remember. Does lead oxidize?

Yes, to a point. It goes from shiny to a more dark grey which I understood as oxidation. I think it’s like how cast iron turns that dark brown and then the oxidation slows way down. I am not a metallurgist tho so take me with a grain of salt on this.

 

[wjburken]

Yes, to a point. It goes from shiny to a more dark grey which I understood as oxidation. I think it’s like how cast iron turns that dark brown and then the oxidation slows way down. I am not a metallurgist tho so take me with a grain of salt on this.

Between getting a thin layer of lead oxide and road grime, they will get a darker gray.

Wheel weights are one of those necessary evils. They don’t look the greatest, but they have come along way in putting lip stick on that pig.

As others have said, they are only noticeable when the vehicle is sitting still and most people won’t even notice as they are walking by so I wouldn’t get too concerned about it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of truck, please.

As others have already said, a good balance is the most important end result. Everything else is just window dressing.

 

[Yukon not UConn]

FWIW, the 22's on my '19 have quite a few weights near the outside like that -- was like this from the factory. Not my preference either, but as many have said, as long as they are well balanced, that's what is important.

 

[LRob]

Heres my .02......to me thats too many weights. I would take it back and ask for a road force balance. Ive been getting road force balance for several years now and since then, it has cut down on the amount of weights used to balance the wheel. Its really better for everyone, it saves materials for the tire shop, and less weights hanging on your rim to balance. The key with road force balance is matching the high point of the tire with the low point on the rim. Thats done first, and after that very little weight is used to finish the balance. That tire needs to be rotated on the rim to find the sweet spot and a hunter road force balancer can do that.

 

[89Suburban]

Just had mine done with the mobile tire service from tirerack. Came right to the house. I watched him do all my tires and when he balanced them the computer noted where to place the weight on the inside of the rim with a laser dot. Some were closer to the inside and some near the front where visible. Doesn’t matter to me as long as they are properly balanced.


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You like that road service for tire Rack? I was thinking about that myself.

 

[STORMIN08]

in the past, when i see excessive amounts of weights, i have always requested that the tire is to spun to aid in correcting.

generally the tire has a seam ( visible by colored dot), and is to align with the valve stem hole in the wheel...this helps offset the imbalance.

tire brand plays a huge roll in amount of weight needed also.