tire balancing

[Cheyslayer]

Is tire balancing really necessary? :confused:

[E-MAXX]

Racing:yes, bashing:no.
tire balancing keeps tire wear at a minimal and helps keep the car straight when going straight.
Hope this helps
Philip S

[Cheyslayer]

Thanks Phil for the info and it will help. :)

[Nos]

Ok so how do you do it?

[Gabe]

all you need is a airplane prop balancer & some thin lead tape.
Put the tire on the prop balancer find the heavy/low spot, start adding weight to the light/high spot when you can't find a spot at all it is perfect.
I use an inexpensive balancer that you hold up with 2 fingers...works great.
There are fancy ones with ballbearing wheels & magnetic supports ($$).
some tips...
-run new wheels & tires 1st to get the inserts seated properly.
-clean the rim off with window or surface cleaner.
-If you're concerned about weight...
tires & rims aren't molded perfectly...spin just the rim to see if there is a heavy spot mark it...then spin it with the tire on you may be able to find a heavy spot in the tire
by adjusting the tire on the rim...try to average it out berore you glue the tire to the rims (heavy spot on tire by the light spot on rim & vica verca)
-cut the lead into little peices or strips
-stick it to the high/light side of the rim
-when done add a couple of drops of C.A. glue to the lead strips so they will hopefully never fall off in a race...
it is very time consuming but is worth it.
I ballance ALL my rim/tires it make the ride SMOOOOOOTH...

[Cheyslayer]

Thanks G-RC for all the information I think I will give it a try. Maybe my lap time might improve too? :eek:

[B3Tyler]

I thought you only balenced foams...

[Gabe]

here is an example....
It was the last night in our clubs indoor facility... we had a speed checker...(like a radar gun)so some of us bolted in the hotest mod & 10 cells to see what we could do on a 45' back straight (small building).
the 2 best speeds were by TC's with 1/8th" trued foams ...the next was a car with ballanced rubber after that it was much slower...you could hear the vibration as the cars spead along not to mention the lack of traction...
not that we go 40+mph every day with 1/10 electric TC's but every bit helps...

[william2001]

"Is tire balancing really necessary?"

Not absolutely required, but I think it's a good idea. I use the Top-Flight prop balancer myself. Don't waste your time if you're chasing the cat or still trying to get around the track without tagging every pipe.

[maxxxracer]

williams right. If u cant drive well (never hit anything and get good consistent laptimes) its not worth it cuase u will never see or notice the benefits.

If u dont race and like doing insane speed runs then i would do it so your car doesnt shake apart.

[E-MAXX]

You could also buy those really expensive tire balancers for about $399.00. Go with G-RC's method of tire balancing.
Philip S

[JP]

Foams are pretty much blanaced, but it couldnt hurt to check. You "true" foam tires, to make them rounder/less oval shape which keeps wear to a minimum.

[Cheyslayer]

Thanks for all the good information. :)