tire balance problems

[bbse]

I have been having a problem with tire balance on my car. I have had them balanced several times only to have the vibrations move up and down the speed scale. I realize it is probably a bad tire (Continentals) but I bought the car used and they came on it. They are new though. As a rule it starts at 65 and goes to around 78 mph. One question I had was about using liquid or weights inside a tire for balance. I saw devices for this for SUV's and large trucks but not for cars. I cannot see how a liquid would balance a tire since it should spread out equally at speed. Some have recommended weights in the liquid such as BB's. I am curious if anyone has ever tried any of this and what were the results?

 

[Carl_NH]

A tire/wheel should take no more than 2-3 oz weight per position (inside/outside) to balance properly. If more remove the tire and reposition on the wheel. Depending on the tire size, car/truck type this is a variable.

Some shops offer a "on vehicle balance" which can solve some problems or at least determine if it is the tire or maybe its a sticking or warped rotor. I suspect you might have one bad cord or tire that is causing the problem. I would go back to the selling dealer or if bought privately get a new tire for the one in question.

More specifics - car-truck-tire size etc may get a better more informed response as well. Have you tried the stick on weights also? they are good, they just adhere to the inside of the rim and don't show on the outside.

Carl

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just went through this with the wife's toyota. The tires were about a year old. We had vibrations that started at 56 and went to 63 mph. The vibrations would get worse if we applied more power (pushed the gas hard) in that range. Turns out we had a CV joint starting to go bad in the long half axle and a tire with a broken belt. We had all 4 tires replaced as well as the axle half. The CV joint was not making any noises, as I have heard they do when starting to go bad.