5 signs you might need a wheel balance.

So, what is wheel balancing you ask?

Wheel, or tyre, balancing often gets confused with wheel alignment. However, the two could not be more different. Having already covered wheel alignment in a previous article, let's now take a close look at balancing your wheels and tyres.

We all know what it's like to drive a trouble free vehicle, so when things start to go wrong they can be easily detected.

Alright, let’s take a look at 5 easy signs that you may need to book your vehicle in for a wheel balancing service.

1. Wheel Vibrations

A highly noticeable sign while driving is wheel chatter or vibrations. This is when your steering wheel vibrates in your hands or shakes from left to right. These are the most noticeable signs of unevenly balanced tyres, especially at higher speeds and should be attended to straight away.

2. New Tyres.

When your new tyres are fitted professionally, a balance is then performed once the tyre has been fitted to the rim. They are placed onto a balancing machine and measured by two methods, static balancing and dynamic balancing. Don’t be cheap and opt out of this when you make your purchase. A wheel balance is extremely important for safety and saves you some coin down the road as it will greatly assist in achieving even tyre wear.

3. Hitting Potholes.

We all cringe as we hit a pothole at high speeds and think, ‘owee, that’s gotta hurt!’. Well, it could have very well done some damage, or put your steering and alignment out of whack. If this is the case, you may begin to notice some of these other warning signs, so best to have your vehicle checked by a professional.

4. Tyre Noise.

You may hear a difference in your tyres output noise. From new, we become attuned to our vehicle's engine and tyre noise. When this sound changes, it's obvious that something is wrong. When it comes to our tyres for instance, it could be as simple as a wheel balance to avoid any further damage to the other components.

5. Worn Out Tyres.

As easy as it sounds, a simple glance at your tyres will indicate whether or not they are correctly balanced and aligned. Uneven wear and tear is an obvious sign to have your tyres checked by a professional for a balance and alignment.

So what happens to my wheel when I get a balance?

From its central axis, your wheel is spun at high speeds to test for even weight distribution. The operator then places small lead weights around the rim, in order to counteract the wheel’s imbalance. Multiple weights can be used until the tyre is perfectly balanced and placed back on the vehicle.

Need a wheel balancing service in West Ryde?

If your car’s tyres are damaged, or wearing unevenly, and you're experiencing some of these issues, come into Marks & Wallings at 940-946 Victoria Rd, West Ryde, or give us a call on (02) 9807 1000.

Our qualified and experienced technicians service most makes and models, including Toyotas, Mazdas, Audis and Suzukis. We’ll ensure that your wheels are perfectly aligned and balanced while making routine checks on brakes, steering and suspension.