New tires not balanced?

[richfaa]

Thanks to Carl for reminding everyone of the balance procedure. I learned that long ago on our 2006 when the tire shop equipment would not even balance the tire because they were using the wrong procedure. Fortunately the tire shop owner was a rv'er and knew the correct procedure. The subject has been discussed before here but it was a long time ago.

[Chip]

Thanks, I never picked up on the difference before. It's always something. Who would have thought the hole for the hub would not be centered.

[Irlpguy]

Well here is my 4 plus hours wheel balancing adventure today..

The dealer I bought my G614's from did balance them using the cones as in Hug centered. Today I called the largest dealer in town and was told they could do them. Hauled the trailer down and after telling the idiot worker he could not use the floor jack 2 ft in from the spring hangers to lift my trailer he went and got 4 bottle jacks and stands. Pulled all 4 wheels and after much time and discussion found they did not have the proper equipment to balance using the lugs, or simply did not know how to use the equipment they did have, who knows.

After almost 3 hrs the wheels were all back on the trailer, not balanced and no further ahead. Called the next big dealer and I was told they had just spent $3,000.00 on special equipment to do these kind of wheels.

Arrive at other dealer, off come the wheels again, fellow with the "experience" with the new equipment could not get the wheels to settle and each time he hit the wheel to put a weight on things changed. Not impressed and after another 1.5 hrs wheels are back on the trailer and I feel there has been no improvement.

Has anyone witnessed someone actually balancing their trailer wheels with one of these Lug Centric devices.

Since I have never knowingly had a trailer wheel balanced before should I even be worrying about it on the Montana. How many out there have had their trailer wheels balanced, was it done using the Lug method.

For me there will be no more money spent on balancing my trailer wheels, unless I witness someone who actually knows how to do it and can demonstrate that to me.

[scott-pati]

It just goes to show you that these places lack the proper training. Sorry you had to waste a whole day and not make any progress.

[Phil P]

Hi

I gave my balance machine away about 6 years ago. It only balanced wheels by using the lug holes and I always balanced all tires regardless of what they were going on.

My commercial truck tire dealer balanced my trailer tires and as I remember I had to wait for the correct balancing machine to be available.

Phil P

[8.1al]

These days it is very, very difficult to find a shop that had the equipment to balance using the lug holes

[richfaa]

Our Local Tire dealer had the proper equipment and I knew what had to be done from information on this forum. The first worker tried to balance the tire using the wrong method till the owner caught it so I was able to see the difference between the two methods. Have not had this 13 3402 balanced.

[Irlpguy]

What I find most frustrating is the second dealer clearly had the new equipment to do the job, however the only two workers on shift had no idea how to properly use it. Tried it with the rear cone on the shaft and without it, he could not get any wheel to run true or properly centered.

While the method is somewhat more time consuming than a regular balance it seems to be becoming more and more the recommended way of balancing as it duplicates the wheels being mounted and held in place by the lugs, or that is the theory.

I have tried to find information on the internet that describes how to set the balancer up using the Lug plate but have not been able to find anything definitive.

Phil the first dealer who attempted the balance is the largest tire dealer in Canada with several balancers to choose from, the truck balance is not used for smaller wheels or so they said.

Rich I think you have G614's on your new unit, if you ever get them balanced, pay attention as to how they do it, if they will let you watch.

[richfaa]

We will use the same Dealer in our home town. He also happens to be a boater and RV'er himself. When they first tried to balance our 06 3400 using the wrong method they would not come close to balance. The owner came by and corrected the problem.

[Thereugo]

Who knew? Hub-centric vs. lug-centric. This kind of obscure (to me) info makes my time on this forum worthwhile.

[CORattler]

I'm wondering if the wheels on my 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins turbo need to be balanced using the lug centric method? The front end shakes when traveling 65+ MPH regardless if I'm towing or not. It didn't shake before I put on the new Michelin tires.

[Chip]

Had the same problem with one wheel on my truck. While on the road had two dealers balance this wheel to no avail. Got home and my local chev dealer balanced it and has been great the last 6 months. I'll have to ask him how he did it.

[mazboy]

you don't need different rims with the rating you have.

just go find the best deal on g614s....

[MikenAngie]

Great info... thanks to all for sharing!
Mike