Mounting and Balancing

When mounting wheels & tires on to the vehicle, ensure the following checks are made:

Wheels are not damaged in any way
There is no dirt or oily build up between the hub and the wheel
Lugs are properly torqued
Both tire beads are securely mounted
Any retaining clips on the brake drums are removed

Tires are manufactured to close tolerances, however as they wear their mass can become unevenly distributed, negatively effecting the original balance. The most common signs of unbalanced tires are vibration problems. These can affect the speed, handling and mileage of your vehicle. Balancing is done by a computer that spins the wheel / tire assembly, senses heavy spots, and gives a location for the technician to apply weight to counter the heavy spots. The best type of balance is a dynamic balance, and this should be performed whenever possible. (Some rim designs will not allow this type of balance and you would have to settle for a static balance)