Why is wheel balancing not performed after rear tire repair?
2 Answers
Wheel balancing should be performed after rear tire repair. Tires and rims are mounted on the axle and rotate at high speeds. If some areas of the tire are lighter while others are heavier, vibration will occur during high-speed rotation. To prevent tire vibration during high-speed driving, wheel balancing is required whenever there is a change in the tire's mass distribution. Hazards of unbalanced tires: 1. It causes vehicle body vibration, with the vibration frequency proportional to the vehicle speed—the faster the speed, the more severe the vibration, significantly affecting driving comfort. 2. Over time, it leads to abnormal tire wear, compromising the tire's service life and safety. 3. It accelerates abnormal wear of the wheel bearings.
I started as an auto repair apprentice and have been running my own shop for over ten years. I often explain why we don’t perform wheel balancing after patching rear tires. The main reason is that the rear wheels are located at the back of the vehicle, and minor vibrations caused by weight imbalance are less likely to transfer to the steering wheel, unlike the front wheels, which noticeably affect driving comfort. During repairs, we prioritize wheel balancing for the front tires because front-wheel vibrations can make drivers feel uncomfortable or impact steering. After patching a rear tire, the change in balance is minimal and often unnoticeable, so skipping it saves time and costs, and customers pay less. However, if a tire has been patched multiple times or has multiple damages, I recommend performing wheel balancing to avoid long-term imbalance accelerating wear or increasing suspension stress. Balancing can extend tire life and ensure safe driving, especially during long-distance highway trips—don’t overlook it.
