Is Wheel Balancing Necessary When Removing Tires?
3 Answers
Wheel balancing is required when removing tires alone, but not necessary when removing both tires and rims together. Here are specific details about wheel balancing: Principle of Wheel Balancing: When a tire is removed separately, it cannot be reinstalled exactly according to its original markings. Since it's not reinstalled according to the original markings, this inevitably leads to uneven mass distribution, necessitating wheel balancing. Corresponding counterweights are added to the lighter areas to ensure uniform mass distribution, preventing dynamic imbalance when the wheel rotates at high speeds, which could cause wheel wobbling or steering wheel vibration during driving. Wheel Balancing Procedures: The operation involves identifying the lightest point on the wheel and adding balancing weights at this location. The balancing weights are calibrated by mass, with the weight chosen matching the mass deficiency in grams at that point.
I've been driving for over ten years and have often dealt with tire removal, encountering issues when changing or repairing tires myself. Once, I skipped the wheel balancing, and the wheel started vibrating severely, even shaking the steering wheel. Later, I found out the tire was internally unbalanced—those small lead weights were misplaced. So, it's essential to perform balancing after every removal and installation to ensure even wheel rotation, prevent shaking and noise, and extend tire life. If you're doing it yourself, you can try using a balancing machine—it's straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Safe driving really depends on this small but crucial detail.
As a regular car owner who commutes in a sedan, I've encountered tire issues. After the last flat tire, I replaced it with a new one, and the repair shop reminded me to get a wheel balance. Otherwise, at high speeds, the wheel might feel unbalanced, causing the car to wobble and affecting braking performance. Now I understand that removing the tire affects the wheel's position, so rebalancing is necessary for smoother and safer driving. Spending a little money on balancing, just a few dozen bucks, is much more cost-effective than dealing with subsequent repairs.
