Wheel Balancing: Stay in the Round!
Do you feel your car vibrating while driving down the road? It is common for many drivers to attribute this problem to a lost car alignment. However, if the wheel balancing is lost, you’re most likely to notice a significant vibration (the faster you go, the more the vibration), especially if the imbalanced tires are on the front. Unbalanced tires put uneven pressure on the treads, putting a strain on the wheel bearings and the suspension system. The tires get hotter than normal and you will start to notice uneven tread wear.
Every time a wheel is first mounted onto the axle with a new tire, it has to be balanced. The goal is to make sure the weight is even on the axle. Wheel balance is checked on a wheel balancing machine that can sense as little as 1/4 ounce difference in weight around the wheel. That may not seem like much, but that tiny amount of weight is traveling very fast around the axle--hundreds of times a minute--creating enough momentum to cause serious vibration. Multiply that by four wheels!
Most drivers know their vehicle well enough to recognize whether they are experiencing a wheel balancing problem or a car alignment problem. To prevent possible further damage to the other components of your vehicle, schedule an inspection with a tire repair specialist as soon as possible. During typical use, it's a good idea to have your tires rotated and balanced every 4,000 to 6,000 miles. Every bump and corner affect balance. Over time, tires will again get out of balance.
Need to find professional wheel balancing? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 or Contact Us for more information. Our car alignment serves vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding areas.
Do you feel your car vibrating while driving down the road? It is common for many drivers to attribute this problem to a lost car alignment. However, if the wheel balancing is lost, you’re most likely to notice a significant vibration (the faster you go, the more the vibration), especially if the imbalanced tires are on the front. Unbalanced tires put uneven pressure on the treads, putting a strain on the wheel bearings and the suspension system. The tires get hotter than normal and you will start to notice uneven tread wear.
Every time a wheel is first mounted onto the axle with a new tire, it has to be balanced. The goal is to make sure the weight is even on the axle. Wheel balance is checked on a wheel balancing machine that can sense as little as 1/4 ounce difference in weight around the wheel. That may not seem like much, but that tiny amount of weight is traveling very fast around the axle--hundreds of times a minute--creating enough momentum to cause serious vibration. Multiply that by four wheels!
Most drivers know their vehicle well enough to recognize whether they are experiencing a wheel balancing problem or a car alignment problem. To prevent possible further damage to the other components of your vehicle, schedule an inspection with a tire repair specialist as soon as possible. During typical use, it's a good idea to have your tires rotated and balanced every 4,000 to 6,000 miles. Every bump and corner affect balance. Over time, tires will again get out of balance.
Need to find professional wheel balancing? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 or Contact Us for more information. Our car alignment serves vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding areas.
