The Wheels Go Round and Round
Are you having a hard time keeping your car in perfect alignment? Are those pesky vibrations while driving getting on your nerves? It’s not fun when you have to struggle with your car every time you drive it, and the last thing anyone wants is for their already expensive vehicle to cost even more through repairs. Luckily, balancing the wheels of your car doesn’t have to take a huge chunk out of your wallet! Here in this blog post, we will explain how easy it can be to check and balance the wheels of your own fingers – no mechanic required. Keep reading to find how simple it really can be!
- Gather the Necessary Tools
Collect a jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, a wheel balancer, and wheel weights. Ensure you have the correct weight sizes for your vehicle.
- Prepare the Car
Park your car on a flat and level surface. Engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the tires to prevent rolling.
- Lift the Car
Position the jack in the designated lifting points according to your car’s manual. Pump the jack until the wheel is off the ground. Place jack stands under the car’s frame or designated support points for added stability. Slowly lower the jack to rest the car securely on the jack stands.
- Remove the Wheels
Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you want to balance. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the lug nuts but don’t remove them just yet. Refer to your vehicle’s manual to locate the proper jacking and wheel removal points. Once the lug nuts are loose, lift the wheel off the hub and set it aside.
- Mount the Wheel on the Balancer
Take the wheel and place it securely on the wheel balancer. Ensure that the wheel is centered and firmly seated on the balancer.
- Check for Imbalance
Spin the wheel slowly and observe if it wobbles or vibrates. An imbalance will cause the heavy side of the wheel to settle at the bottom. Note the position where the wheel stops or exhibits the most imbalance.
- Apply Wheel Weights
Based on the location of the imbalance, attach wheel weights to the rim. Wheel weights are typically adhesive-backed, and you can stick them to the inner or outer rim surface. Start with small weights and add them to the rim in the identified location. Gradually increase the weight until the imbalance is corrected. You may need to use multiple weights in different positions to achieve balance.
- Recheck the Balance
After applying the wheel weights, spin the wheel again to check if the imbalance has been corrected. If the wheel still wobbles or vibrates, make further adjustments by adding or repositioning the weights. Continue this process until the wheel spins smoothly without any noticeable imbalance.
- Remount the Wheel
Carefully lift the balanced wheel and align it with the wheel bolts on the hub. Slide the wheel onto the bolts and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even seating.
- Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts. Start by tightening each lug nut in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure. Tighten them as much as possible while the car is still raised but avoid over-tightening.
- Lower the Car
Use the jack to lift the car slightly off the jack stands. Remove the stands and lower the car to the ground slowly. Once the car is on the ground, use the lug wrench to give the lug nuts a final tightening in the same crisscross pattern.
- Repeat for Other Wheels
Repeat the entire process for each wheel that requires balancing. Remember to follow the same steps and take your time to achieve proper balance for each wheel.
Conclusion
Driving with bad alignment can lead to a range of issues from skidding and sliding to premature tire wear. Keeping your wheels in check is essential for safe driving and avoiding costly mishaps. While there are a few DIY methods out there, if you want to ensure that your alignment is correct it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Our team at Sirwiss knows exactly what steps need to be taken to bring you back into line, whether its new tires or wheel alignment services. Plus, we offer convenient, quick appointment times so you can get back on the road faster than ever before. So don’t wait any longer – keep the wheels rolling with our wheel alignment services coming soon to Sirwiss and stay safe on the roads!