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wheel balancers

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by hubie, May 9, 2015.

  1. hubie

    hubie New Member

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    Does anyone have any recommendations for a good wheel balancer. I've seen them range from around $25 to over $100. Any suggestions are appreciated.
    Thanks.
     
    hubie, May 9, 2015
    #1
  2. bomber737

    bomber737 Member

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    I have used the one from harbor freight. It's descent quality and comes with a stand.
     
    bomber737, May 10, 2015
    #2
  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    An old axle, two good axle bearings, and two jackstands.
     
    k-moe, May 10, 2015
    #3
  4. XJOE550

    XJOE550 Active Member

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    Has anybody used balancing beads? Maybe that's an option. But I'm not completely sold on them.
     
    XJOE550, May 10, 2015
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  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I've done a fair amount of research. Beads are not an option. They do not take into account the motion of the tire as it goes over road irregularities. Every bump upsets the beads ability to balance the tire. The sellers will point to the use of beads and fluids in dynamic balancing sytems in industry and consumer goods (washing machines for example), but the sellers ignore the fact that those are stationary applications that only have to balance axial loads.
     
    k-moe, May 10, 2015
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  6. XJOE550

    XJOE550 Active Member

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    Thanks k-moe. Great info!
     
    XJOE550, May 10, 2015
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  7. hubie

    hubie New Member

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    When you say an old axle, and bearings, are you referring to an axle from a similar bike, and bearings?
     
    hubie, May 10, 2015
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  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Yes, but new bearings without any dust seals. Lube the bearings with silicone spray to reduce drag.
     
    k-moe, May 10, 2015
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  9. hubie

    hubie New Member

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    New bearings in the wheel, correct?
     
    hubie, May 10, 2015
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  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    New wheel bearings to set on the jackstands and hold the axle. The goal is a minimum of parasitic drag so that you can find the heavy spot, and have the heavy spot settle in the same location no matter where it is.
     
    k-moe, May 10, 2015
    #10
  11. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    first thing to do is clean the rim, then balance the rim by itself, mark the heavy point of the rim and put the tire dot by your mark when you mount it. I've never found the valve stem to be the heavy point of a rim. This way you might only need a very small amount of weight.
     
    Polock, May 10, 2015
    #11
  12. hubie

    hubie New Member

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    Thanks for the info!
     
    hubie, May 11, 2015
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