Wheel balancing is one of the activities that ensure the stability of the car on the road and affect traffic safety. Many car owners believe that only service stations can do high-quality balancing. They are partly right, but it is not always possible to contact the masters, and it is impossible to delay the procedure. In this situation, you can do the balancing of the wheels with your own hands in a garage. There are ways to carry out this procedure without professional equipment.

Why is balancing necessary?

Uneven wear of rubber or disc damage lead to imbalance, that is, a violation of the distribution of the mass of the wheels relative to the horizontal and vertical planes. There are two types of imbalance:

Static, when the axis of rotation shifts with respect to the axis of inertia and begins to move the center of gravity up and down.
Dynamic, when the axis of rotation intersects with the axis of inertia, violating the horizontal distribution of the mass of the wheel. The disc writes a figure eight while the car is moving.

There are two types of imbalance: static and dynamic.

The imbalance causes the wheels to vibrate while driving. The imbalance of the wheels, especially when driving at high speed, impairs handling, increases the length of the braking distance, and leads to premature wear of the running gear.

Unbalanced wheels while driving at high speeds cause loss of control. But even if the accident did not happen, constant vibration renders the hub bearing unusable, and over time, the entire suspension system of the vehicle breaks down.

The task of the procedure is to restore balance to the wheels during rotation. The result of balancing is a uniform distribution of the mass of the wheel relative to the axes of rotation.

How often to

During a tire change. In reputable service stations, the procedure is included in the cost of the service for “changing shoes” for a car.
If a wheel hits an object or falls into a hole. Such situations lead to damage to the disc and imbalance of the wheel.
After 15000 km run. During the season, few motorists wind up such a number of kilometers, so balancing when changing tires is enough for a standard car.
Every 8000 km for lovers of aggressive driving style.
Before traveling over 1500 km.

Signs of imbalance

The main signal of imbalance is the appearance of vibration. The intensity of the vibration transmitted to the passenger compartment depends on the degree of imbalance. Sometimes at speed the car starts to literally tremble with the whole body.

The nature of the vibration indicates which wheels are unbalanced:

the front give pushes to the steering wheel;
the rear ones make the rear seats vibrate.

Other signs of imbalance are increased fuel consumption, rustling tires while driving, uneven wear and regular flat tires.

Balancing methods

Using the advice of experienced drivers, you can independently balance the old-fashioned way without using a special machine. This will take more time than the master would spend in the service, but will save money.

If desired, wheel balancing can be carried out independently in garage conditions.

To perform the procedure yourself, you will need the following devices and materials:

jack;
balancing weights;
chalk or marker;
a set of keys.

Interesting! To balance wheels on cast or forged rims, it is advisable to purchase self-adhesive weights. But in winter, such weights can come unstuck from temperature changes.

Balancing weights are required for balancing.

without wheel removal

The self-balancing process consists of the following steps:

Preparatory. The wheels are cleaned of dirt, stones stuck in the tires, the caps are removed, the pressure in the tire is lowered, and the old weights are removed. The jack is installed on one side of the vehicle, freeing 2 wheels. Check the free rotation of the wheels. If the wheel turns hard, you need to unpin it and loosen the hub nut.
Definition of a light point. The wheel is rotated counterclockwise and waited for it to stop. Mark the top point. Then turn the wheels clockwise and again mark the top point. The middle between two marks is a light point.
Installation of weights. With a hammer, weights weighing from 10 to 45 grams are stuffed onto the found point, starting with the lungs. After that, spin the wheel and wait for it to stop. The weights should be at the bottom. If it didn’t work out, light weights are removed and heavier ones are stuffed. It is not recommended to use more than 60 grams of cargo per wheel.
Static balancing. As soon as after stopping the weights were at the bottom, they begin to move apart in different directions. The wheel begins to rotate and spread the weights. The purpose of the process is to ensure that the wheel stops in a different position each time. Once this starts to work out, the weight is distributed evenly, that is, a static balance is achieved.

In this sequence, the procedure is carried out with each wheel. To check the correctness of the balancing performed, you need to drive a car for at least ten kilometers at a speed of more than 90 km / h. If there are no shocks and taps during movement, then everything is done correctly. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, specific shocks to the steering wheel appear.

For your own confidence, at the first independently performed balancing, you can undergo diagnostics at the service station. If the masters confirm that everything was done correctly, in the future you can do the procedure yourself.

Important! Self-balancing in the garage is only permissible in case of static imbalance. The elimination of dynamic imbalance requires the use of equipment. Experts recommend contacting the service if the car has worn tires and old bent wheels. It is impossible to balance such wheels without special equipment.

On a makeshift stand

You can facilitate the balancing process by making a home-made stand in the garage. In this case, you do not have to remove the brake pads from the wheel and loosen the stepped nut.

A homemade stand simplifies the wheel balancing process

The stand is assembled from an old hub with a working bearing. The hub is mounted on the frame in such a way that the wheel rotates freely, and the whole structure firmly rests on the surface. It is convenient to use vertical metal racks as a frame, between which the wheel is attached. Further balancing steps are the same as the previous method of performing the procedure.

On the machine

Even an experienced motorist in garage conditions carries out balancing "by eye". Therefore, there can be no complete confidence in the correctness of the process. In specialized workshops, balancing is carried out on computer-controlled machines.

Modern service stations are equipped with CNC balancing machines

The machine consists of a conical support for mounting the wheel, a rotating electric motor and sensors. The wheel rotates during tire fitting, and at the same time the computer determines the vibration and pressure. The readings of the sensors help to accurately calculate the weight and installation location of the weights.

Workshops are equipped with two types of machines:

Manual - on which the master measures the wheel with a ruler and manually enters the data.
Automatic - information is read by sensors and displayed on the monitor in digital or graphical form.

According to the type of supports used, the machines are divided into:

Soft, measuring the parameters of the wheel, taking into account vibrations of the supports.
Rigid, measuring pressure and phase of the rotor.

Interesting! On rigid machines, various parts can be tested, but the quality and accuracy of measurements for this reason is reduced.

Most modern services are equipped with automatic balancing machines. The master puts the wheel on the shaft, clamps it with bolts and spins it. The sensors determine the points of end runout. The computer determines the intensity of the push and calculates the mass of the load that must be attached to the calculated point. The computer will also tell you if the wheel cannot be balanced.

Balancing with granules

One of the newest methods of wheel balancing is the use of special granules instead of weights. The essence of the technique is the filling of special granules into the tire, sliding during movement in the internal space. This free movement eliminates imbalance while moving at speed.

Modern methods of wheel balancing involve the use of microbeads

The advantage of this method is that the granules are loaded once and they perform their intended function for the entire life of the tire. The disadvantage of this balancing method is the high cost of granules. Therefore, balancing in this way has not gained popularity at the present time.

Video: do-it-yourself wheel balancing

Errors during the procedure

If the balancing process is carried out in violation of technology, then the vibration problem will not be solved at best, and at worst it will further worsen. The most common mistakes:

Balancing in the presence of dirt on the wheel. Additional imbalance can break even pebbles stuck in the tread. The overall picture, even on precise equipment, will be violated, and it will not work to bring the wheel to zero.
Balancing a wheel that has a broken tire or rim geometry. If the disk has even slight dents or distortions, it must first be rolled on a special machine. Straightening the disk with a hammer or other percussion instruments is unacceptable.
Incorrect tightening of the hub bolt on the balancing machine. Excessive force will lead to a misalignment of the wheel, and the balance will be incorrect.
Violation of the technology of installing a tire on a disk. Often even experienced installers perform work in violation of technology. As a result, the wheel is given additional inertia.
Violation of alignment during the installation of the wheel on the axle of the vehicle. This problem occurs due to a violation of the tightening order of the bolts. Even if a properly balanced wheel is installed out of alignment, it will vibrate.

In order not to encounter such troubles, it is necessary to carefully choose a car service and control the work of the masters. Qualified specialists give a guarantee for their own work and show the balancing results on the machine display. If the master forbids the presence of the owner of the car during work or does not give a guarantee, it is advisable to refuse his services.

Wheel balancing is an important element of monitoring the technical condition of the vehicle. A timely procedure will help not only increase the safety and comfort of driving, but also extend the life of the car, preventing premature wear of the parts of the running system.

Modern high-tech achievements in the field of production of equipment for car service provide ample opportunities for repairing damage of any level of complexity. Depending on the nature of the services provided, there are many types of car workshops. In the last decade, there has been a great demand

Most wheel repair centers have high-tech tire fitting and balancing equipment in their arsenal. But, in order for these giant devices to perform all the functions intended for them, it is necessary to timely and efficiently configure and repair them. This material will deal with the repair of balancing machines, the features and types of this work.

Functions of tire balancing machines

The balancing machine is a specialized service equipment, which is used to balance the wheels of cars and trucks, special equipment, motorcycles and other vehicles. Every car needs regular wheel balancing. When vibration is felt inside the car, chassis or suspension failures occur - these are signs that you need to urgently balance the wheels.

Modern balancing machines are characterized by wide functionality, they operate in different modes, so they can repair disks of any shape and any design.
Most large tire shops use automatic balancing machines, which are controlled and controlled by an integrated computer system. Such equipment, unlike manual devices, works much faster, more efficiently and better. Automatic machines, balancing, do not allow any errors in measurements.

But, in the process of diligent operation, both manual and automated balancing devices can become unusable. The nature of the breakdowns can be electronic or mechanical.

Signs of damage to the balancing machine

The main signs that indicate that the balancing equipment is faulty include:

the machine does not properly perform its intended functions (does not balance the wheels on the first try);
incorrectly determines the mass and geometry of the wheel (sensor malfunctions);
reset indicators during operation;
failure of bearings or other parts;
strong impact or fall of the machine;
failure of the program settings.

This list does not exhaust all possible symptoms that indicate that the instrument needs to be adjusted or repaired. In case of any breakdown of this powerful unit, it is most reasonable to turn to experienced specialists for help. Professional engineers will diagnose the system, and accurately determine the nature and degree of complexity of the breakdown.

How is a balancing machine repaired?

When tire service employees notice a malfunction in the balancing machine, they immediately report this to the management, which most often decides to seek help from specialized companies. Initially, specialists disassemble, clean and fault-detect the device in order to determine the nature of the breakdown.
Based on this work, a conclusion is made about what methods and details will be needed to restore broken equipment. Then the specialists offer the client the most effective and less expensive repair methods. The last word, of course, belongs to the customer. After agreeing on all the nuances, the service employees draw up an estimate of the work, and proceed to the repair of the equipment.

Types of work on the repair of a balancing machine

Carrying out high-quality repairs of tire balancing machines is a job for experienced engineers. The list of services offered by service centers for the repair of special equipment, including balancing machines, includes:

installation and configuration of equipment;
calibration of measuring instruments;
replacement of broken parts and assemblies;
troubleshooting;
replacement of technical fluids of the unit;
electric drive repair;
service maintenance;
consultations of specialists on the establishment of auxiliary systems;
mechanism adjustment;
commissioning works;
other types of work related to electronic breakdowns.

Summing up, it is worth once again emphasizing that with timely and high-quality technical and service maintenance, tire fitting equipment will work efficiently and smoothly for many years. By choosing a reliable and proven service company, you can be sure that you will be offered the most optimal and cost-effective solutions for the repair of your equipment.
7.3 GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING AND SOLUTIONS

Malfunction	Cause	Elimination Method
The machine starts but nothing is shown on the displays	1. Check for voltage in the 220 volt circuit 3. Loose cable connections between electrical panel and computer 4. Malfunction of the computer panel	1. Check and connect the power supply 3. Check the cable with the plug 4. Replace the computer panel
The display works fine, but the start and data entry buttons do not work	1. Faulty switch contacts 2. The machine is broken	1. Open the machine body and insert the plug and tighten the switch plug pins 2. Start the machine again
The display works fine, but after starting the wheel does not brake	1. Loose cable connections between electrical panel and computer 2. Malfunction of the panel with electrical equipment 3. Malfunction of the computer board	1. Insert and tighten the cable between the computer board and the electrical panel 2. Replace electrical panel 3. Replace the computer board
Balancing is not accurate and hard to get "00"	1. Poor sensor connection or poor contact 2. Lost value from memory	1. Reconnect 2. Correct the value in memory according to the manual.
With each rotation, the change in the size of the mask does not exceed 5 g	1. There is a foreign object in the rim or deformation of the thrust surface in the center of the rim 2. Sensor damper or quick-setting nut loose 3. The power supply voltage or air pressure is not correct, the flange disc is loose	1. Change the wheel 2. Open the cover and calibrate the sensor again 3. Fasten the mounting bolt
With each rotation nii range from- change in magnitude will be 20 - 90 g	1. There are foreign objects in the wheel or the amount of wheel imbalance is too great 2. Damaged sensor	1. Change the wheel 2. Check sensor and wires 3. Check the mains power and install the stabilizer
Balancing is not-accurate and hard to reach "00"	1. Sensor is wet or damaged 2. Program crash	1. Re-calibrate, dry and then self-calibrate, or replace the sensor 2. Carry out self-calibration again
When reinstalling and removing, the unbalance value exceeds 10 g	1. The inner hole of the wheel has a deviation 2. Flange disc assembly incorrectly installed	1. Change the wheel 2. Check the thrust surface and try again

7.4 STANDARD ACCESSORIES

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

LIST OF STANDARD ACCESSORIES

Pincers (hammer) ………………………………………………………………. 1 PC.

Clamp for measuring the width of the rim …………………………………………… 1 pc.

Cones ……………………………………………………………………….. 1 set

Quick adjusting nut …………………………………………….. 1 pc.

Threaded shaft end ……………………………………………………….. 1 pc.

Bolt M10x160 ……………………………………………………………….. 1 pc.

Standard weight ………………………………………………………… 1 pc.

Cup …………………………………………………………………………… 1 pc.

Cup protection ………………………………………………………………... 1 pc.

Spring ……………………………………………………………………… 1 pc.

8. MAINTENANCE

Before making any adjustments or maintenance operations, unplug the machine from the socket and make sure that all moving parts are stationary.

Keep the work area clean.

Never use compressed air and/or water jets to remove deposits from the machine. Take all possible measures to prevent dust deposits or incomplete removal during machine cleaning operations. Keep balance shaft, fixing ring nut, centering cones and flange clean. These components can be cleaned with a brush pre-moistened with non-polluting cleaners. Handle cones and flanges with care to avoid dropping and subsequent damage that could affect centering accuracy. After use, store cones and flanges in a place where they are adequately protected from dust and dirt. If necessary, use ethyl alcohol to clean the display panel. Perform the calibration procedure at least once every six months.
LUBRICATION

The only rotating parts of the balancing machine are the motor and the balancing shaft. These parts must be periodically lubricated by operators. If the machine is used very frequently, more than 2 hours a day, an annual bearing check is necessary. And once a year you need to check the machine if it is used less than 2 hours a day. When checking, do not open the bearings, you only need to insert a screwdriver to check the noise of their work. Due to the operating conditions, the bearings are closed and supported, and there is no need to change the grease in them, or remove it. In addition, their rotation speed is not as fast as other equipment, so there is no need to change the grease. If you notice any abnormality in the bearing or if it becomes noisy, replace the bearing. If the user confirms that the bearing does not need to be replaced, then change only the grease in it. Disassemble the bearing, open the sealing ring and fill the bearing with XHP103 grease. This operation must be carried out under the supervision of professional personnel, and after changing the grease, the machine must be calibrated. If the lubricant is changed incorrectly, it will affect the accuracy of the machine. In this case, you need to reinstall the O-ring, assemble the machine and adjust it again.

Safety data sheet for lubricants used in wheel balancing machines.

Mobilgrease XHP

NLGI class

Thickener type

Color development

Workpiece penetration 25, ASTM D 217, mm/10

Drop point, С, ASTN D 2265

Oil base viscosity, ASTM D 445, cSt @ 40 C

Change in penetration consistency, ASMT D 1831 (set by rolling grease), mm/10

4-ball test, indentation diameter, ASMT D 2266, mm

4-ball test, penetration load, ASMT D 2509, kg

Timken OK Load Test, ASMT D 2509, lbs

Oxidation stability, balloon method, ASMT D 942, pressure drop over 100 hours, kPa

Corrosion Prevention, ASMT D 1743

Corrosion according to Emcor, IP 220, flush with water and acid solution

Corrosion protection, IP 220-mod, flush with distilled water

Corrosion on copper, ASMT D 4048

Water spray resistance, ASMT D 4049, % spray

Water flush, ASMT D 1264, loss (% weight)
DISPOSAL

If the machine is to be scrapped, separate it into electrical, electronic, plastic and steel components and dispose of them separately as required by applicable local laws.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

If the machine data plate has a crossed waste bin symbol,

this means that the following procedure must be followed for disposal.

This product may contain substances that may be hazardous to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.
Electrical and electronic equipment should never be disposed of in normal household waste, but should be collected separately for appropriate recycling.
The crossed waste bin symbol , placed on the product and on this page, reminds the user that the product must be properly disposed of at the end of its useful life.
In this way, dangerous consequences of exposure to substances contained in these products are prevented, which, if not properly processed or if some of them are used incorrectly, can affect the environment or human health. In addition, it helps to recover, recycle and reuse many of the materials contained in these products.
Manufacturers and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment provide a system for the correct collection of such products for their purposes.
Contact your local distributor for information on end-of-life waste collection procedures for your product.
When purchasing this product, your distributor will inform you of the possibility to return, free of charge, at the end of its working life, certain parts of the equipment, if they are of an equivalent type and have the same functions as the products they sell.
Any disposal of the product by a method other than the one set out above will incur the penalties provided for by the applicable national legislation in the country in which the product is disposed of.
Further environmental precautions include the recommended recycling of the inner and outer packaging of the product and the correct disposal of used batteries (only if present in the product).

Your help, by preventing the release of potentially hazardous substances into the environment, is very important to reduce the amount of natural resources used to manufacture electrical and electronic equipment, reduce the use of land for waste disposal and improve the quality of life.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA TO BE USED

To select the most suitable fire extinguisher, consult the following table.

Dry materials

Powder YES*

YES* Use only if a suitable fire extinguisher is not available or if the fire is small.

Flammable liquids

Powder YES

electrical equipment

Powder YES

WARNING

The table contains general instructions to be used by users as a guideline. All data for each type of fire extinguisher must be obtained from the respective manufacturer.

9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
JOB
9.1 How to balance a wheel?

1. Turn on the power.

2. Select a cone depending on the wheel. Install the wheel on the main shaft of the balancer and fasten it securely.

3 . Enter wheel parameters.

3.1 Pull out the measuring device of the balancing machine to measure the value of Dis (distance to the rim), which is the distance from the inside of the wheel to the body of the machine. Press
to change the value and to adjust the value shown in the window on the right to the measured value. But the units of this displayed value are mm, so you must enter 55 mm if the measured value is 5.5 cm.
3.2 Use a measuring device to measure Br (rim width), which means the width of the rim. Click
to enter the rim width value, which is an implied value and is expressed in inches. If you wish to convert this value to mm, then you must click to perform the unit conversion.
3.3 Check the value Dia (diameter), which is the value of the rim diameter indicated on the tire. Click
to bring the value shown in the window on the right to the size of the rim diameter. You can also use the key to convert units to mm.
4. Lower the wheel guard cover (you can also press the "start" key). After the machine starts to work, rotates the wheel and measures the amount of unbalance, it will automatically stop. The corresponding values will be shown in the left and right windows. Rotate the wheel until all position indicator lights are on. Install a weight equal to the value shown in the window at the 12 o'clock position on the inside, outside of the wheel. Restart the machine and check the imbalance. The windows will show the unbalance values. The balancing process will be completed after receiving the required balancing range.

Repair of balancing machines in Moscow and the region

The Avtopodyom company offers its services in Moscow and Moscow Region for diagnostics, calibration, maintenance and repair of balancing machines manufactured by domestic and foreign manufacturers. Often, burning or failure of boards, sensors and power supplies on balancing machines occurs due to power surges that you may not even notice or power outages during operation. Therefore, first of all, we recommend installing an uninterrupted device. This will save your machine from damage.

On balancing machines, there are also mechanical damages caused by the careless work of the master (bumps, falls), which leads to failure of the bearings, threaded shaft, quick-clamping nut and other elements. If an uncalibrated machine malfunctions, calibrating the weight cell and ruler can help.

The first signs of a malfunction of the balancing stand:

Balances the wheel from the second or third time.

Incorrectly determines the geometry or mass of the wheel

All work is carried out by qualified specialists with extensive experience, who have at their disposal diagnostic equipment and professional tools, as well as the necessary spare parts and consumables for high-quality repairs or maintenance. We work both with our own spare parts for the balancing machine and with the client's spare parts.

Our qualified specialists carry out diagnostics, calibration, repair and maintenance of tire changers in a short time and at an affordable price, from manufacturers such as:

TECO

Garo

Megamount

Speedy

Balancing machines detect irregularities on the parts during rotation and help to eliminate them. Most often, devices with this principle of operation are used in tire shops. In addition, these devices have found application in the engineering industry, where they help balance screws, turbines and other parts.

Such devices may be equipped with equipment for automatic correction of irregularities. In this article we will talk about the calibration of the balancing machine with our own hands and describe its structure.

The structure of the apparatus

The basis of the balancing machine is the support on which the workpieces are mounted and sensors that determine their balance. During testing, the level of imbalance is determined, and based on this information, further actions are taken.

Depending on the type of supports, balancing machines are divided into soft and hard. The first measure the parameters of the wheel, taking into account the oscillations of the supports. At the same time, the device is additionally configured for each detail, which allows for fairly accurate testing.

Rigid wheel balancers are able to test different types of parts with the same equipment. This is very convenient, but the quality of measurements can be seriously affected by this.

Both on the first and on the second version of the device, the speed sensor plays a special role. No less important for such a machine is a sensor that measures the angles of rotation. Depending on the input option, balancing devices can be manual or automatic.

Principle of operation

The main task of the balancing machine is to determine the balance of the geometric center of the wheel with its mass. An unbalanced part makes any work difficult and can lead to serious damage. Elimination of imbalance allows you to:

Extend bearing life.
Prevent premature tire wear.
Extend suspension life.

Most often, such machines are in demand during the period when drivers change the type of rubber. Balancing of detuned parts can only be carried out using special equipment. There are machines at the service station that can work with a variety of discs in various modes.

There are several options by which you can correct the imbalance of wheels or other parts:

Balancing rings - used in the process of repairing metalworking machines.
Adjusting screws - special pins are screwed into the unbalanced part, through which it is adjusted.
Drilling is the most popular balancing option. It is carried out by creating holes that change the weight of the workpieces.

Balancing machine repair

After prolonged use, individual parts of the device may fail. Conventionally, the origin of the breakdown can be divided into mechanical disorders and a problem with electrical components. In the latter case, problems with the sensors are detected. Mechanical failures most often appear after falls or strong impacts.

You can identify problems with the machine by the following signs:

Normal balancing requires several cycles of operation.
The parameters of the tested disks are incorrectly determined.

To repair a balancing machine, the type of failure is first determined by calibration. After that, the defective part is replaced. Restoring a damaged part is more difficult than buying a new one. In addition, repaired structural elements most often break down again after a relatively short period of time.

homemade device

It is possible to make a calibration machine at home, but only its mechanical part. Electrical equipment and measurement sensors should be purchased ready-made. The drawings of the device should be selected in accordance with the features of the future use of the machine. The best option for creating a balancing machine is presented in this step-by-step instruction:

We create a shaft. It should be machined in such a way that one end has a ready place for mounting bearings, and the other has a thread for installing a washer.
We install bearings. It is best to use those that have already been applied, but have not yet used up the main resource. Such parts will create minimal resistance.
We form the rack of the apparatus. For these purposes, it is best to use a pipe with a diameter of 5.2 centimeters. At the upper end of the support, we mount it from above and from the side.
For convenient setting of the part, we recommend creating a support platform.

Video: do-it-yourself wheel balancing machine.

Nuances of operation

To start working with the machine, you need to fix the disk. This can be done with a nut and a cone. After checking the reliability of fastening, you can proceed to the measuring procedures. The disk spins up, and then its performance is compared with the reference. Deviations should be in the range of 2 and 1.5 g. The first indicator is horizontal, the second is radial.

After initial testing, remove all weights and re-measure. The disc under test stops at the heaviest point downwards. Be sure to take this information into account when measuring disk parameters. After that, the wheel must be twisted 90 degrees and we hang the load on the opposite side. In the event that the wheel stops rotating during a 45-degree turn, it means that the do-it-yourself calibration has been done successfully.