Is Wheel Balancing the Same as Wheel Alignment?
1 Answers
No, they are not the same. Wheel balancing addresses the weight deviation between the tire and the wheel rim, which manifests as steering wheel vibration when driving, typically within a specific speed range, such as 60-80 km/h. Below 60 km/h or above 80 km/h, the vibration usually disappears. Wheel alignment, on the other hand, deals with angular deviations between the chassis components and the wheels, often caused by issues with chassis parts like ball joints, control arms, or camber angles. Below are the differences between wheel alignment and wheel balancing: Different Functions: Wheel alignment involves inspecting and correcting the vehicle's driving trajectory, including adjustments to the suspension, chassis, and other components; wheel balancing simply equalizes the weight distribution of the wheel to ensure smoother rotation. Different Responsibilities: Wheel alignment adjusts the data for all four wheels, while wheel balancing adds counterweights to each individual wheel. Different Definitions: Front-wheel alignment includes four aspects: caster angle, kingpin inclination, camber angle, and toe-in; rear-wheel alignment includes camber angle and toe-in for each rear wheel. Collectively, front and rear wheel alignment is referred to as four-wheel alignment. Wheel balancing refers to the equilibrium between wheels during vehicle operation, where balance weights are added because the mass distribution of a tire cannot be perfectly uniform during manufacturing.
