Balancing and its terminology

Why should we balance our tyre?

If a tyre and wheel assembly is not balanced, uneven weight distribution may cause an unacceptable vibration, this will affect your riding comfort and may affect the overall performance of your tyres. Uneven weight distribution is corrected by adding precision weights at proper locations around the wheel rim.

What is dynamic balancing?

Dynamic balancing reveals whether a tyre/wheel assembly is unbalanced from side to side as well as about its centre. Dynamic imbalance can result in vibration and, sometimes, a steering wheel sensation called “shimmy”. Illustrated above is an example of dynamic balancing. Most modern tyre service centers use off-the-car computer balancers which correct both static and dynamic imbalance.

What is dynamic balancing?

Tyres and wheels should be balanced:

• When new tyres are mounted on wheels for the 1st time
• When tyres and wheels are rotated
• When used tyres are mounted on existing wheels
• Any other time a tyre is dismounted and remounted

Balance should also be checked at the first sign of vibration, shimmy, or unusual tread wear. Any noticeable vibration or irregular tread wear in the tyre should be taken to a tyre professional for diagnosis.

What are the advantages of a balanced wheel/tyre?

A balanced tyre, while improving riding comfort, also lowers the constant change in tyre conditions (due to bounce). The constant bouncing of the tyre leads to wear of steering and suspension parts, as would worn out shocks, and could lead to misalignment conditions.

Because the radial tyres wears longer and is more sensitive to imbalance forces than other types, we advice that tyres should be dynamically balanced when installed and each time they are remounted. Majority of vibration complaints are a result of improper balance. Properly performed dynamic balance will save a lot of time and effort.