All Wheel Balancing Stuff

All Wheel Balancing Stuff

“A wheel alignment is also a good preventative maintenance service .Significantly, even though it is not directly related to the tyres. So A wheel alignment benefits the complex suspension and steering components. Of course,making sure that they remain set up correctly. Allowing the tyres to run straight and perfectly level on the ground. Frequently, this service should be preformed when new tyres are installed on the vehicle. Including when summer tires are replaced by snow or winter tyres”…by Waterloo Region shop talk.

wheel balancing

Wheel Balancing is Important

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Wheel Balancing is Important

Wheel Balancing is Important
Wheel Balancing is Important

Wheel Balancing is Important

Wheel balancing is important because it keeps your tyres, bearings, and suspension system in order.

Source: affordableautohopkins.com

This is a short but to-the-point article about the importance of having your wheels balanced. So, it is something that we in the tyre trade keep harping on about, but never the less, it is important. Most of us have witnessed our wheels out of balance and having wheel wobble problems. Mainly when the steering wheel starts shaking while driving down the motorway .

https://www.pellonautocentre.com/centrelesswheels.htm

Wheel Balancing  will give you a better ride- Wheel Balancing is Important

Balancing is one of the things in motoring terms that we take for granted. When I first started working in the tyre industry, we had a small piece of equipment. That we would use to balance the wheels whenever we fitted a new tyre.

This was known as a bubble-balancer, and that is exactly what it was. You would sit with a wheel on top of the balancer and a bubble. Similar to the ones in a spirit level. This would tell you when the wheel was out of balance by the tilt on the wheel and we had to counteract this at the opposite side by adding lead weights.

When the wheel was level and the bubble was dead central, the job was done, and the wheel was fitted onto the car. The cars in those days were things like Ford Poplars and Morris 1000’s and so did not travel very far or go very fast.

Sit on Balancer was our first electric balancer.

There are different types of out of balance, “static balance”; vertical shaking that can come from a heavy spot on the tyre. This is what we would try to cure on our bubble balancer. This could also be cured on the next machine that came into use.

The machine was a sit on machine known as a On Car Wheel Balancing machine made by “Repco” and we would jack up the car put machine against the car wheel and we would then spin the electrically driven machine up to high speed. While the wheel was spinning a strobe light would make look like the wheel was in a still position we would then stop the machine with a type of brake and put a counter balance weight on the wheel depending where the tyres valve could be seen.

Wheel Balancing is Important
This method of  balancing was horrific. Wheel Balancing is Important

The older guys in the industry. Will remember the fact that the wheels would shake violently. Then the vibrations would shake the cars to bits. Of course, whilst the poor customer looked on with terror in his eyes. This reminds of the “roller brake tester” used on the modern MOT test. When the car gets shaken to bits, having a brake test.

This method of balancing was not for the faint hearted and I was glad to see the back of them.

The next set of wheel balancers were the fore runners to today’s sophisticated machines. We would put the wheel on a spindle and spin it by hand. These balancers would correct “static”

and “dynamic” out of balancing. The modern wheel balancer is equipped with many sensors and can pick up balancing problems at high and low speeds. These are necessary for today’s high speed cars and of course give the car drivers a smooth ride, (that’s if your wheels are balanced of  course).

On a regular basis in my opinion is at least once a month. Most members of one of the independent tyre organizations, and so will check your wheel alignment and wheel balancing for free and will only charge you if the car is out of alignment and requires adjusting.

Wheel Balancing is part of having a new tyre fitted

Of course, today Wheel Balancing is Important and we balance your wheels as a matter of fact when you buy new tyres or have a puncture repaired. So, if you need a wheel balance just as a matter of fact and your steering wheel starts to shake at say 50 mph, then this is because you may have lost a balance weight or your tyre has become out of shape, due to perhaps a “slipped belt”, which can be caused by nail or screw damaging the steel belt in your tyre, putting the tyre out of shape and causing the wheel to be out of balance.

Finally another thing that can give you a similar experience is if your wheel bearing has gone. Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles.

Independent Tyre Centres

Wheel Balancing Problems

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Wheel Balancing Problems

Wheel Balancing Problems
Wheel Balancing Problems

Wheel Balancing Problems

So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? You can tell if… (wheel balancing problems) feel vibrations under your seat or steering wheel?

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Wheel Balancing Problems

So, this story says exactly how we balance a wheel. Some wheel balances  are much more sophisticated than others. However, they are all built on the same principals. Hence to achieve the same end result a good smooth ride ! Wheel balancing is carried out on every single tyre that we fit at Pellon tyres. Including any strip and fits or puncture repairs. Although this video is from the USA. Of course the equipment is international. So we do the same thing using the same type of wheel balancing machines.

A little history about wheel balancing

The practice of balancing car wheels has been around since the early days of the automotive industry. Wooden car wheels with bolts attached were common in the early 1900s. These wheels were prone to wobbling and vibrating, which made for a rough and uncomfortable ride.

So, to address this issue, mechanics began balancing car wheels by attaching lead weights to the rim of the wheel. This helped to evenly distribute the weight of the wheel, which reduced wobbling and vibration.

As cars became more complex and sophisticated,

The process of balancing wheels also became more advanced. In the 1950s, tyre balancing machines were developed, which made it easier for mechanics to accurately balance car wheels. I remember the first sit-on balancer that we used as apprentices in the local garage.

Today, most car dealerships and tyre shops have tyre balancing machines, which use lasers or other high-tech equipment to measure the weight distribution of a tyre and wheel assembly and add weights as needed to balance it.

Who stated to balance the first? Wheel Balancing Problems

It is difficult to determine which country was the first to start balancing car wheels, as the practice likely began soon after the invention of the automobile. However, it is likely that the practice of balancing car wheels started in the countries where the automotive industry was most developed, such as the United States, Germany, and France.

These countries had the resources and expertise to develop and manufacture automobiles, as well as the infrastructure to support the growing number of cars on the road. As the automotive industry spread to other countries, the practice of balancing car wheels was also likely to spread.

Modern car balancing techniques are highly accurate and effective

Of course, reducing tyre and wheel vibration and ensuring a smooth ride. Tyre balancing machines use lasers or other high-tech equipment to measure the weight distribution of a tyre and wheel assembly and add weights as needed to balance it. Of course, these machines are typically able to balance a tyre and wheel assembly to within a few grammes of the target weight. Hence, this is more than sufficient for most applications.

In addition to using advanced equipment, modern car mechanics are also trained in the proper techniques for balancing car wheels. They are able to identify the causes of tyre and wheel vibration and determine the most effective way to balance the assembly. This combination of advanced equipment and skilled technicians allows for highly accurate and effective tyre balancing.

Overall, modern car balancing techniques. Wheel Balancing Problems

are very effective at ensuring a smooth ride and extending the life of tyres and wheels. Proper tyre balancing is an important aspect of vehicle maintenance and can help improve the performance and handling of a car.

So, our newest electronic balancer is now completely automatic. All the mechanic has to do is place the wheel on the machine spindle and press a button. After much light flashing, the machine tells our fitter where and what weights should be placed.

Wheel Balancing Problems are more noticeable when you are driving on the motorway. Significantly, there is a peculiar vibrating sensation that can detect it. Obviously, through the vehicle’s steering wheel. especially at a certain speed. Usually, speeds range between 50 and 60 mph. You can often drive through the vibrating feeling. It is unpleasant, but generally it will not go away, and it is very annoying.

Problems can make you feel the vibrations coming from the cars seat

So, it is usually the rear wheels that are out of balance. Other wheel balancing issues with your vehicle may result in a shaking of the steering wheel. Generally, though, it will be the wheel balancing that causes the vibrations and other balancing problems. The most common cause is a loss of balance. After your wheel has hit the curb (sidewalk edge), say: Logically, the weight may have come off, and  this is the most common cause.

Another cause of out-of-balance wheels can be a buckled alloy wheel. significantly, caused by the pothole problem that we are all having to endure. So, to combat this, we have invested in a special machine. Of course, you can straighten bent alloy wheels back to their original shape. I will keep our customers informed in future blogs.

Thanks, Eric Roberts…www.mot-halifax.co.uk

We are also an official MOT testing station and members of Trading Standards, which carry out checks for high standards of equipment and workmanship.

Now onto 2024 Pellon Tyres are now members of Tyresafe.org

Steering Wheel Not Straight

Important Wheel Alignment Check

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Important Wheel Alignment Check

Important Wheel Alignment Check
Important Wheel Alignment Check

Important Wheel Alignment Check

Wheel alignment brief history

After much studying, it is difficult to identify a specific person or group of people who “discovered” wheel alignment for cars. Importantly, the concept of aligning the wheels of a vehicle has likely been around for as long as vehicles have existed. However, the development of modern techniques for measuring and adjusting wheel alignment is a result of the evolution of the automotive industry over the past century.

Of course, combined with the advent of the modern computers. So, computers are now the brains of the modern wheel alignment machines. Consequently, keeping all the updated data for modern cars, Enabling technicians to carry out extremely accurate wheel alignments and other steering geometry.

The first vehicles were simple carts

with wooden wheels that were prone to wear and misalignment. As vehicles became more complex with the invention of the internal combustion engine and the development of pneumatic tyres, it became important to ensure that the wheels were properly aligned to improve tyre wear and handling.

Over time, various methods and tools have been developed to measure and adjust wheel alignment, including mechanical gauges, laser alignment systems, and computerized alignment systems. These tools allow mechanics to precisely measure the alignment of a vehicle’s wheels and make adjustments to correct any misalignment. Today, wheel alignment is an important part of vehicle maintenance and is performed by mechanics and technicians at auto repair shops and dealership service centres.

Important Wheel Alignment Check
Important Wheel Alignment Check

Pellon Tyres new Hofmann 4 wheel Alignment machine ask for a free wheel Wheel Alignment Check

Importantly,  you should always be mindful of your wheel alignment. The cost of wheel alignment is cheap if you consider the benefits it will give you.

Front end alignment does not take more than twenty minutes to accomplish with a computerized wheel alignment service. As a result here at Pellon Tyres in Halifax UK we have upgraded our Alignment machine. Hence to a new Hofmann 4 wheel alignment machine. Additionally, with a customers print out.

Whichever the case, having a misaligned front wheel can also be very dangerous. Thus, for many reasons. One-Is that you could lose control of the steering wheel. Secondly, is that it could lead to more serious problems. Of course, with the under chassis of your car.

So, you know when you are due for a front end alignment. Because, your steering wheel veers to the left or right when you are just driving on the road. Believe me you will know the felling when your car pulls to one side. This should not happen. It is very difficult to drive a car which has the steering misaligned. Because, you always have to keep a tight control on the steering wheel. Making sure you do not cause any accidents on the road due to the lack of vehicle control.

Aside from tyres being worn out faster. Of course, you are also wasting fuel . Because, the engine of your car exerts more energy and so works harder. Just to enable your car to run straight without pulling to one side. Of course, you are also using up a lot of your vehicles steering and hydraulic fluid. Everything has to work harder. Including the driver of the car.

4 wheel alignment

4-wheel alignment, also known as 4-wheel geometry or wheel-alignment-check, refers to the process of adjusting the alignment of all four wheels on a vehicle to ensure that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. This type of alignment is important for maintaining proper tyre wear and handling, as well as ensuring that the vehicle travels in a straight line.

Faster cars and complex tyres have increased the necessity for modern computer driven alignment machines. It is difficult to determine exactly when 4-wheel alignment became popular, as the concept of aligning the wheels of a vehicle has likely been around for as long as vehicles have existed.

However, the development of modern techniques for measuring and adjusting wheel alignment is a result of the evolution of the automotive industry over the past century.

Over time, various methods and tools have been developed to measure and adjust wheel alignment, including mechanical gauges, laser alignment systems, and computerised alignment systems. These tools allow mechanics to precisely measure the alignment of a vehicle’s wheels and make adjustments to correct any misalignment. Today, mechanics and technicians at auto repair shops and dealership service centers perform 4-wheel alignment as a standard part of vehicle maintenance.

Will save you money? Important Wheel Alignment Check

Of course, you are also running a great risk by driving your car with misaligned tyres. Front end alignment does not take more than twenty minutes to accomplish. Hence, with a Hofmann computerised wheel wheel-alignment-check service. Because, it is more accurate. Measuring the precise alignment of all four wheels. Subsequently, this is much better than our old manual wheel alignment gauges.

The basic front end alignment cost is cheap, costing £34.90 for both wheels. A four wheel alignment price depends on the model and difficulty of the job in hand! Including, depending on whether or not your steering parts are seized up or not?. On top of the alignment cost. You can also include wheel balancing service. For an additional fee of around £10 a wheel. Naturally, it is important to have the wheels of your car aligned.

Another and more costly affect. Important Wheel Alignment Check

of having a car with misaligned wheels is premature tyre wear. Because if you continue running your car with misaligned wheels,. Then your tyres will wear prematurely. Also, the tyres will wear out faster than the normal rate. The moment you notice a slight veering of the steering wheel, either to the left or to the right,. So you know your car needs front wheel alignment immediately.

Finally, wheel alignment is more important than ever, Cars are now fitted with large, expensive tyres, which can be prematurely damaged.

Now onto 2024 Pellon Tyres are now members of Tyresafe.org