Guide to Choosing a Wheel Balancer

Seemingly minor incidents like hitting a pothole or brushing the curb can knock a vehicle’s wheels off balance. Unbalanced wheels can experience major vibrations, especially as vehicles reach higher interstate speeds.

Wheel balancing machines are fundamental tools for automotive shops. They help maintain balance, ensure tires spin correctly on the road and prevent vibrations that wear out the suspension and tires over time.

If you have a wheel balancer handy, you can quickly remedy tire imbalances. In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to choose a wheel balancer by exploring the different types and options available.

Types of Wheel Balancing

A wheel balancer generally has a base, spindle and mounting system to contain the tire and wheel assembly. The balancer measures the assembly’s weight distribution, determining where you should add or remove weights to create proper balance. Depending on the balancer model you choose, you can also access features like diagnostics tools, touchscreen interfaces and ergonomics.

What is the best tire balancer machine for your needs? Below, we’ll go over the different wheel balancing machines and their features to aid you in your decision.

Space-Saving Balancers

Space-saving wheel balancers have a compact footprint, making them ideal for garages and workshops with restricted space. Fortunately, their smaller size doesn’t mean they sacrifice quality and performance.

Their user-friendly interfaces display easy-to-read measurements so you can seamlessly identify weight imbalances. You can also switch between balancing modes — including standard, dynamic and static — to accommodate different rim types. Despite being the most basic and low-volume type, they have no shortage of advanced features.

Performance Balancers

Offering efficient performance and a high-volume design, a performance balancer expertly combines cutting-edge features and advanced technology.

These automatic wheel balancers typically offer diagnostic capabilities. They can help you diagnose and resolve a variety of wheel-related issues, like damaged tires and worn-out rims. A touchscreen interface allows for seamless navigation so you can access a host of diagnostic functions.

RFV Diagnostic Balancers

RFV diagnostic wheel balancers are the golden standard for precise diagnostics and efficiency. These high-volume solutions have a wide range of features, including:

• Diagnostic capabilities: RFV diagnostic balancers have advanced diagnostic capabilities, letting you address various wheel-related problems. Many models can also produce comprehensive diagnostic reports, giving you a detailed overview of the wheel status and issues. These reports can provide valuable documentation for your customers so they understand what repairs are in order.
• Quick and accurate measurements: The balancer’s built-in sensors enable fast and precise measurements.
• Automated corrections: The machine can detect wheel imbalances and provide automatic corrective solutions.
• Ergonomic design: The balancer’s ergonomic configuration can easily integrate into nearly any workshop layout.

Rim Data and Weight Location Entry Choices

Depending on the wheel balancer model, there are different ways to balance the machine and enter data into the system.

Manual vs. Automatic

As the name implies, manual entry requires the operator to physically enter the correct weight location in terms of diameter, width and distance between weight locations. Meanwhile, automatic data entry lets you select the weight type without manually inputting any data.

A 2D or semiautomatic wheel balancer automatically detects the rim’s diameter and inputs it into the system. While a 2D balancer is far more efficient than its manual counterpart, it still requires the operator to measure calipers to manually determine the rim width.

A 3D balancer automatically measures the wheel’s width with an attached sonar system or arm, producing a precise measurement in seconds. All you have to do is attach the wheel to the shaft, choose your balancing mode and close the hood.

While a 3D balancer is more efficient than a 2D machine, that doesn’t necessarily mean it yields more accurate results. It can also be slightly more expensive. On that account, the ideal choice depends on your intended use and budget.

If you can afford a 3D model and believe you’ll use it enough for maximum ROI, you’d probably opt for this type. However, saving a few dollars with a 2D or even manual model may be better if you don’t think you’ll be balancing many wheels.

Balancing Software and Methods

Wheel balancers use various balancing techniques and software, including:

• Traditional balancing: Conventional balancing requires the operator to remove the tire from the wheel, mount and dismount it on the balancer, and add weights to the rim.
• RFV diagnostic balancing: RFV diagnostic balancing uses advanced wheel eccentricity measurement and balancing features, ensuring the wheel is balanced and rolling correctly. This software can measure wheel radial runout with lasers and sonar sensors.
• Calibration: While calibration checks aren’t frequently required, knowing how to perform them is important if you encounter frequent “weight chasing” during balancing. Weight chasing refers to the balancer requesting more weight after applying the first weight. The machine should be calibrated at this point if this is happening on various sets of wheels.
• Static force elimination balancing: This method prioritizes static balance correction weight over couple force correction. It decreases the traditional residual weight left behind after the machine reads as “balanced.”
• Single-plane dynamic balancing software: This software scans the wheel for a weight placement location. It enables you to correct both static and couple forces with a single weight application, reducing weight usage and saving time.
• Auto-adaptive compensation software: This software determines the wheel’s mass and adjusts its correction weight to accommodate vehicle sensitivity. It allows you to shift to a single weight and decrease usage.
• Behind-the-spoke balancing: Also called hidden weight balancing, this cosmetic split-weight capability allows you to conceal adhesive weights behind the spokes.

Other Considerations

Aside from rim and balancing software, here are some other essential factors to consider when choosing a wheel balancer:

• User interface: Ensure the wheel balancer has an intuitive, user-friendly interface for a more streamlined experience.
• Tire pull diagnostics: A wheel balancer that can quickly diagnose radial tire pull can help you detect an issue before your customer does.
• Reputation: A reputable wheel balancer provider should be well-versed in the different models available. They should have the expertise necessary to help you choose the right machine for your needs.
• Shaft durability and longevity: Choose a wheel balancer with a durable shaft designed to last the life of the machine.
• Instruction videos and support: A wheel balancer with included training videos can help you navigate all the available features and make the most of your investment.

Find Wheel Balancing Machines for Sale at CEMB-USA

Whether you’re looking for performance, space-saving, RFV diagnostic or even motorcycle wheel balancers, we have all the options you need at CEMB-USA. Our products are designed with the utmost performance and durability in mind, keeping your customers’ tires functional and reliable.

Make the most of your wheel balancer investment with CEMB-USA. Browse our selection of wheel balancers, then contact us about getting the right model for your needs.