Wheel Weighs

[RedRaptor]

On our stock wheels, there are a few small \"chicklet looking\" metal rectanges which are apparently the wheel weighs used for balancing. Just curious, some wheels have more weighs than others. Does this mean the wheel is more \"imperfect\" than one with less weighs? How are the weighs removed? How are they stuck on?

This thread on M3F, got me curious and thats why I\'m asking about them.

http://mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=169749#169749

[01AWW18T]

it doesn\'t necessarily mean the rim is less perfect, or more imbalanced. Its a combination of both the tire and the rim.

[majic]

not necessairly.. but it might..

no wheel or tire (or combo thereof) will be perfect.. hence the weights.. also, the tires as well as wheels are made of different compounds/alloys each having a different weight.. sometimes that mix isn\'t mixed well at all (or on a very micoroscopic scale it isn\'t) and it creates \'imperfections\' in terms of density/weight distribution.

ever bent a rim on your bicycle when u were younger b/c u hit the curb or something? well it got all wobbly b/c it was deformed (here we\'re talking minute \'deformations\') and more of the rim/tire (weight) was shifted into another spot (the actual shape deformed but still u can think of it this way)

another thing you can think of is a hoola-hoop. put a glob of plasticine in one area and then try to roll it on the ground.. it\'ll speed up and slow down.. all b/c the weight isn\'t uniform anymore.

see if the wheel is off by a little bit on one side and the tire happens to be off in the same area/side, the wheel needs to have weights on the oppposite sode to counter balance it..

as for how they are stuck on.. they don\'t look to be soldered in place.. so maybe epoxy? maybe crazy glue ;) maybe double stick tape (a la 3M) i have no clue.. sorry..

[Dr Butcher]

I think it\'s some sort of sticky tape, one of my wheels wasn\'t balanced right and when I got it back there was a bit of residue on the inside of the rim. It wiped off pretty easily with my finger.

[Xenon]

I picked up a nail in my passenger rear tire.... as a result, my wheel had to be rebalanced.

The weights were removed and put elsewhere.... they peeld paint off from the inside of my rim (you can see where the weights used to be).

II\'m not sure if it was just the way they were removed or if all the weights are like that.

[majic]

Originally posted by Xenon
The weights were removed and put elsewhere.... they peeld paint off from the inside of my rim (you can see where the weights used to be).


ouch.. did u have this done at the dealer or crappy tire or similar?

damn.. you mena the clearcoat came off the rim or even the PAINT??? *cry*

[bluntman]

They used to use \"clip-on\" weights that would sit on the outer edge of the rim...boy am I dating myself or what!

[majic]

Originally posted by bluntman


They used to use \"clip-on\" weights that would sit on the outer edge of the rim...boy am I dating myself or what!

from what i have read it depends on the type of the rim.. but yah.. clip ons have been found on the older \'steelies\' and the chicklet stcik ons on the new alloys..

[MZ3_GS]

The stick weights do a better job of balancing the tire. You\'ll find them on most race cars instead of the lip mounted weight.

[Xenon]

Originally posted by majic



Originally posted by Xenon
The weights were removed and put elsewhere.... they peeld paint off from the inside of my rim (you can see where the weights used to be).


ouch.. did u have this done at the dealer or crappy tire or similar?

damn.. you mena the clearcoat came off the rim or even the PAINT??? *cry*

reminder the weights are on the inside, but yes, they did leave quite the mark...

At least it\'s the back rim... the brake dust covers it most of the time :p

[RedRaptor]

What? Really? Snap a picture for us of the mark they left. Where did go to get the rebalancing done?

[Xenon]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


What? Really? Snap a picture for us of the mark they left. Where did go to get the rebalancing done?

Everything was done by the dealer... Westowne Mazda to be more precise... The pictures are crappy.... but you get the idea....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/xenons3/2004_1029_004901AA640x480.jpg

The black blotch behind the spoke is brakedust, not damage, but the small brown squares is damage.

[majic]

Originally posted by Xenon



Originally posted by RedRaptor


What? Really? Snap a picture for us of the mark they left. Where did go to get the rebalancing done?

Everything was done by the dealer... Westowne Mazda to be more precise... I\'ll post pics when I get a chance to snap them.

Note to self.. *don\'t take the car in to Westowne for any repairs/maintenance*

Avante baby.. i hope they are good.. :p

[Xenon]

Aftyer looking at it this morning, trying to take a better picutre, i think that is just left over adhesive from the weights previously there.. I\'m going to try and clean it with some goo gone, see if that helps.

It\'s not damage to the rims i don\'t think... i haven\'t actually taken a GOOD look at it yet.

[Xenon]

I would like to confirm that the black marks on my rims are indeed adhesive.

Tt comes off with Goo Gone.

[majic]

good to know your rim is ok..