I purchase some black steel rims and had them mounted at my local Big O. I had the stock steel rims on my 94 CTD 2500. The stock dodge rims had all the balance weights on the inside of the rims. Big O installed wieghts on the inside and out side? The outside weights did not look so great being the the stood out with them being silver against black rims. I painted the weights black so you really do not notice them. But I know in the future if the weights fall off or I need to rebalance that I will have a scratced rim from where the weights used to be!?!?!

Couldn't Big O just use the balance weights on the inside of the rim to balance?? I have 18" rims my 66 Impala and wifes car , and both have the weights on the inside. Any thoughts??????

Dave.....

 

yep, I have thoughts on this

The big O probably was simpy trying to do a better job of balancing your tires. Your tire is never out of balance on only one side (usually anyway) and the weight being distributed closer to where it is needed is usually better. Keep in mind that wieghts are NEVER exactly where they are needed, just close. Better bet is probably beads in the tire if you are worried about weights on your rims.

DuaneW

 

I would (and do) use ceramic balancing beads. No weights needed.
http://www.innovativebalancing.com/news.htm

RJ

 

RJ offers the best advice.
Lead weights will be a thing of the past in a few years, beads work so much better.

 

Or...
Centramatics
Pricey but a permanent solution.

 

I took my CTD back to Big O and had them remove the outer weights. They re-balanced them with just inner weights. No issues, runs great....!!!!

Thanks guys.....

Dave

 

May look better but my bet is your tires won't wear better.
Next time use beads.

 

If I wanted to use beads do I remove the weights or just leave them on and install the beads?

The charts says I need to add 4 oz of beads. What if my tire is out of balance by more than 4 oz?

 

4 oz is if your 285's are stock size. "Oversized Tire Chart" says 8 oz for 285's. I would call 285's on 7"(?) wheels oversized!
My 315's called for 10 oz each.

Either way.. take all lead off wheels. The beads are in the very outside of the tire, as opposed to on the rims, so it takes less weight to do the job.... due to longer "arm" (physics 101 ).

RJ

 

I agree, but what do you mean "very outside of the tire". The beads are placed in the valve stem and are inside the tire / rim and will ride to the center of the tire right? Centrifical force will force them to the center of the tire.

 

Farthest point out on the TIRE....as opposed to the farthest point out on the rim! Yes, inside/center of tire.

Lead wts ride around 8" from the center of the wheel (on a 16" wheel). Beads ride about 4-5" farther away from the center. Longer arm = more force per oz of beads!

RJ

 

I wonder if I can just leave the weights on and add 3-4 oz per tire and have that take up any imbalance as the tires wear?

I'll bet a donut it would work.

 

I'm sure it will work to leave the weights on, done it myself.
Problem could be if you flat spot a tire from skidding on the side opposite the lead weights it might require more beads.