Is Wheel Balancing Necessary During Tire Rotation?
2 Answers
Tire rotation does not require wheel balancing, as it merely involves swapping the positions of the wheels without altering the mass balance between the tires and rims. Therefore, dynamic balancing of the tires is unnecessary. However, when installing new tires, which involves changing the mass distribution of the wheel assembly, dynamic balancing is required. Automotive tires are one of the critical components of a vehicle, directly contacting the road surface and working in conjunction with the suspension system to absorb shocks during driving. Structurally, tires can be categorized into radial tires and bias-ply tires. Based on tread patterns, they can be classified into rib tread tires, lateral tread tires, mixed tread tires, and off-road tread tires.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've changed tires countless times. Rotating tires simply means swapping the front and rear wheels to ensure even wear across all four tires. In this case, wheel balancing isn't strictly necessary because the tire's inherent balance remains unchanged. However, it's crucial to check the wheel balance before rotation, especially if you notice steering wheel vibrations. Last time I rotated my tires, I discovered the front wheels were unbalanced—the technician said some balancing weights inside the rims had fallen off. Adding lead weights fixed the issue, and now the car drives much smoother. Honestly, taking a quick glance at the rim weights during routine maintenance can save you a lot of trouble.
