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Michelin Balancing
Why Balancing Is Important
Balancing means compensating for both the weight of the tire & wheel after the
tire is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter
than the rest. This can cause eccentric treadwear, vibration, & increase the
stress on the front-end parts & may cause them to wear prematurely.
When to Balance
You should have your wheels balanced whenever a tire is replaced, when a balance
weight is moved or removed, & whenever you purchase new tires. Of course, at
the first sign of vibration or irregular treadwear, your car should be
thoroughly checked for wheel balance & alignment, & for worn or broken
mechanical parts.
How a Wheel Is Balanced
To balance the wheel, your mechanic will use a balancing machine to determine
where the heavy spots are. Weights are then attached to the exterior or interior
of the wheel to counteract centrifugal forces acting on the heavy areas when the
wheel is turning. This will eliminate vertical bouncing (static balance) &
side-to-side wobble (dynamic balance).