Wheel Balancing: What is the Process, Benefits & Need for it?

Ever been cruising down the road & felt your steering wheel wobble or your seat start to shake? It’s not just a rough road to blame.

These are classic signs of poor wheel balance. Unbalanced wheels make your car feel unstable and can cause tyres to wear out quickly. Worse yet, it can affect your car’s fuel usage and long-term handling. The problem creeps up slowly. Most drivers ignore it until it becomes hard to miss & cause serious damage.

At Wangara Tyre Auto, we help you avoid those nasty surprises.

With over 10 years of experience fitting tyres for all makes and models in Perth, we know how to spot a problem early. Our professional team can get your tyres fitted and wheel balancing performed quickly. So, you can be back on the road in no time.

Let’s explain a wheel balancing process in simple terms.

What a Wheel Balancing is & Why is It Important?

Wheel balancing is the process of evenly distributing the weight of a tyre and wheel assembly. So, it can rotate smoothly at high speed. When a wheel spins, even the tiniest weight difference can cause wobbling. The process corrects this by adding small weights to the rim, balancing everything out.

Wheel balancing isn’t just about comfort. It’s about safety, fuel efficiency, and saving money. A good wheel balancing job prevents the tyre from bouncing or wobbling as it turns. That means better grip on the road, longer-lasting tyres, and a more stable ride.

So, when someone asks you what a wheel balancing is. Now you know it’s all about correcting weight distribution to keep your vehicle running as it should.

How Do Wheels Go Out of Balance Over Time?

Wondering why your car’s wheels go out of balance in the first place?

Well, it happens more easily than you think. Over time, tyres wear unevenly. Even if they’re the same brand, no two tyres wear exactly the same way. This causes weight imbalances. Then there’s road damage. Hitting a pothole, kerb, or speed bump too hard can knock the balance out.

Small wheel weights, added during the wheel balancing process, can also fall off. These weights are tiny but crucial. Without them, even a perfectly new tyre can start to shake.

Temperature changes and long-distance driving also play a part in knocking things out of sync. And if you’ve recently had new tyres fitted, they also need balancing.

Clear Signs Your Car Needs Wheel Balancing

Your car will tell you it needs a wheel balance; you just need to pay attention.

Look out for:

Don’t ignore these signs. If you catch them early, a simple tyre balancing fix can save your tyres from early retirement.

2 Types of Tyre Imbalances You Should Know

Not all imbalances are the same. There are two main kinds:

1. Static Imbalance

It happens when there’s a heavy spot in the tyre that causes it to bounce up and down.

You can compare it to a washing machine with clothes clumped to one side. As the tyre rotates, it hops instead of rolling smoothly. This type causes vertical vibrations, especially felt through the floor or seat.

2. Dynamic Imbalance

Well, this is a little more complex.

Dynamic imbalance occurs when weight isn’t evenly distributed across the tyre’s width. It leads to a wobbling motion from side to side. You’ll notice it more in your steering wheel. And more precise equipment is needed to fix it.

Step-by-Step: How Is Wheel Balancing Performed?

Wondering what actually happens during a wheel balancing appointment? Here’s how it works:

1. Wheel Removal: Our team removes your wheels and tyres from your vehicle.
2. Mounting on Balancer: Each wheel is placed on a balancing machine that spins it at high speed.
3. Digital Check: The machine measures any uneven weight spots and tells us exactly where and how much correction is needed.
4. Weight Placement: Small balancing weights are added to the rim in specific places to correct the imbalance.
5. Re-Test: We spin the wheel again to make sure the balance is perfect.
6. Reinstallation: The balanced wheels are mounted back on your vehicle, ready to go.

The whole process takes just a few minutes but can make a huge difference in how your car feels.

Wheel Alignment vs. Wheel Balancing: What’s the Difference?

These two are mostly confused, but are very different services. Key differences include:

Also Read: What is Wheel Alignment & Why Is It Needed?

You can need both, but they solve different problems of your car. If your car shakes at certain speeds, it’s likely a wheel balance issue. If it pulls left or right, alignment is more likely.

When Should You Get a Wheel Balancing Done?

It’s not just a one-time job. Here’s when you should get a tire rebalance.

• When you get new tyres fitted
• Every 10,000 to 12,000 km
• After hitting a pothole or kerb
• If you’ve stored your car for a long period
• When tyres are rotated

Regular checks help catch problems early. Just search “wheel balance near me” if you feel something’s off. And we’re right here in Wangara, ready to help!

Benefits of Timely Wheel Balancing

You’d be surprised at how much you gain from proper tyre balancing. Including:

• Smooth Driving Experience: No more shaking steering wheels or noisy rides.
• Longer Tyre Life: Even wear means fewer replacements.
• Better Fuel Economy: Less resistance equals more efficiency.
• Improved Safety: A balanced car handles better and brakes more reliably.
• Lower Repair Costs: Prevent damage to suspension and steering components.

It’s a simple fix that saves you money, time, and stress down the road.

Feeling the Shake? Let’s Balance Those Tyres!

Wheel Balancing Services at Wangara Tyre Auto

At Wangara Tyre Auto, we keep your ride smooth and your tyres lasting longer.

We’re tyre experts, 4×4 lovers, and car service pros all rolled into one. We handle everything from tyre replacements to ideal wheel balancing, quickly and affordably. Come see why over 680 locals gave us five stars.

Reach Out to Us

Explore Our Services