So, I'm coming up completely empty on getting my 10" wheels/tires balanced. Everyone tells me that their machines won't do it. Any suggestions? I live in SE Wisconsin........

Thanks!

 

you have to mount 10" tires by hand... You might try a golf cart shop though...

 

You may venture to locate a real old school shop that still has a static balancer. (Basically the same way you balance a lawnmower blade). It's better than nothing. I know trailer tires in that size they don't really want to change the tire anymore cause its easier and about the same price to pitch the whole thing and get a new rim with a tire on it.

 

It may just be hubris on their part, but both our local Firestone retailers claim they can mount and balance 10"ers. The first set I had were balanced by another local tire retailer. Have you actually walked into the shop with one of the wheels, or have you just asked at the counter or on the phone? Sometimes a lot more is possible when they have to show you why it won't work.....

 

Traverllering - That may be a good idea. It seemed like I talked to a "Person Who Would Know" at the shops, but if I've got a wheel in hand, maybe they'd be more apt to try it.

 

Like was said, they may be picturing a trailer wheel with a small axle opening. I've run several balancers and the mini wheel has fit on all of them. Sometimes the smallest diameter that is pre-programed into the machine is 12" but it has still worked to get the wheel balanced.

And mounting 10" tires by hand? No way. Machines will do them, too. It's just that few shops are willing to reconfigure the rim clamps (or the yahoos don't know how to) because the trend is to mount tires to a million 24" wheels a day.

--Spank

 

I tried a couple of places...one local goodyear place said of course and ruined a tire-----then I went to a local Firestone shop (another local place simply didn't have the machine)...and the local Firestone shop did a good job....took the car in / everybody gathered around and got interested in the car...and the result was just fine....but they have to have a machine to handle it ....

 

I think the secret is to find a place that gives a damn .... and that can be difficult.

When I lived in VA I used a local shop that I heard about from the local BMW folks - the racers considered the shop "the place" for quality BMW work ... he raced BMWs and would work on anything else but Beemers were his specialty. I was one of the first to see him with a MINI in 02 and he quickly became known in that arena.

When I got OC that's where I took it for a check-up. He mounted new rubber and balanced my 6x10s without batting an eye. Just as he never charged extra for runflats. He was a TireRack recommended installer.

I need new rubber on OC again .... and I WISH I was back in Norfolk cuz I have not found "that guy" where I live now. Asking the local classic folks has not produced a recommendation (Space Coast area .... still asking ....) I too have had a local chain store say "no problem, just bring it in" but I'm afraid of risking a new tire and a wheel just to find out SO .... I've bought a steel 10 inch wheel and a used tire to be my test bed.

Case pends.....

 

I'm sure if you inquire around you can find someone with a bubble balancer. They should spilt the amount of weight equally front to back. Then split
the front amount in half and place the weights from the front balance point 11 degrees above and below the front balance point. Repeat on back side and you'll be balanced ever so close. Done it this way for years. We used to have people want their tires rebalanced. We would put them on the bubble balancer before we computer balanced them. A good portion of the time the tire didn't need rebalancing and wouldn't charge them. Sure made for good
customer relations

 

So, I found some one to do a static balance. They slapped the big ugly weights inside the wheel, but didn't really "set" them because they were concerned with clearances. Well, they were rightly concerned. When I got home, I found that the weights hit the calipers for the disc brakes up front. Because they hadn't really pushed down the weights, I moved them to the outside and the car feels much better. It's just that I have these HIDEOUS weights on the outside of my rims. Grrrrrrrr. Any suggestions?

 

You could get the weights that go on the rim of the wheel...but they look about as ugly as the sticky weights.

 

Mini XB and I had a similar problem when we put new drum brakes on her car. We took the rear drums in to one place to have them turned - who simply refused - so at the next place when they said they didn't think they could do them I asked to see their machine - I actually told them which tool stand and clamps to use and they turned them no problem. Sometimes, they just need a little convincing........

 

There's a shop in Woodstock, IL that might be able to offer up some help. Give them a call, they should be able to answer any questions you might have.

www.historicracecar.com