Hey guys, I just lifted my 01 XJ and put some 32x11.5 Kenda Klever M/Ts on a set of 15x8 window D wheels. The tire shop that I had mount and balance the tires didn't get them right. I still have some wobble from 50-55 and 60+mph. I'm taking it back tonight to have them try again. The tech I talked to said they may have to try putting bags in the tires if they can't get it with weights. So far I have just had them using stick on weights on the inside of the rims.

I've heard of this being done before, but to me it doesn't sound like that great of an idea. I've heard of other methods - even putting 6-8 oz of RV antifreeze in the tire when mounting to the rim.

My question is what have you guys had to do to get your tires balanced correctly? I commute 20 miles highway every day so I need a wobble free vehicle at highway speeds.

 

x2 for the RV anti-freeze. I don't use it personally, but know several who do.

http://www.nm4w.org/articles/?ar_id=52

 

Balance beads and be done with it. My wheels will never see weights again.

 

Ill share a story to make my point.
I just had tires installed on 2 cars at sears.
1st car they put short valve stems on so i cant check pressure with hubcaps on.
2nd car had 2 tires on the front. Had a shake in the steering wheel from 55-65 mph. No balance weights on the wheels. Both cars need to go back.
Now to your issue. Is it shake in the steering wheel only? Is your truck alignment ok?
Is the tech know what he is doing? For example the tire needs to be mounted with the heavy part of the tire opposite to the valve. Each wheel/tire needs to be high speed balanced. The balance machine will tell the tech exactly how much weight & where to position the weight(s). How did he not know the tire was not balanced before he mounted them?
Finally, the truck must be mechanically sound (alignment,bearings,tie rod ends,ball joints,etc.
Bring it back & have their best tech redo the balance while checking over the mechanics. Let us know the outcome.

 

I replaced almost everything up front - LCAs, UCAs, all tie rods, adjustable track bar, etc. I had the same shop align it and everything came out as close to perfect as it could get (I would give you the numbers but I don't have the printout with me).

As far as the tech being knowledgeable, your guess is as good as mine. The guy I talked to was very, but I don't know which tech did the work. When I go back in today I plan to go and watch him balance the tires and see what he actually does. I've taken multiple vehicles there and a friend of mine has taken all of his lifted Jeeps there and they've done great work.

 

So they said they could only get them to balance with a significant amount of weights on the outside. I told them no thanks and stopped by the parts store on the way home. I put 10oz of RV antifreeze in each tire and the Jeep rode smooth as can be.

 

Define "significant amount"...anything more than 3 oz is absurd...glad you figured it out, but I wouldn't be taking my ride back there.

 

10 oz. is alot.
Anyone wonder if he has a issue here?(bad tires?).

 

I'm sure I could have used less. I didn't try a certain amount, let the air out, add more, refill and drive it again. I just researched how much guys had been using for a 32" tire on a 15" rim and that number popped up quite a bit in my search.

 

Let them know you put antifreeze in them before you get new tires...

 

It is en-tire-ly (LOL) possible...
As I have never done this RV antifreeze method, it may be the right amount...I know when I did my beads it was like 8-9 oz, but thats for 35's. I was referring to lead weights, they should NEVER use more than 3 oz.
THIS....it would definitely suck to get a face full of that stuff for sure...

 

I agree with all of those statements. I just figured I would share the success since I know people are always looking for effective, low cost methods to balance tires.