Fuchs - balance weights on lip

[83_Silberpfeil]

My fuchs have the wheel balance lead weights attached on the outsde --- to the polished lip. I find this very offensive/blasphemous, but it was not my doing. That's how it was set up when I bought from PO.

I'd like to get new tires and in the process get the balance weights removed on the outside and new ones added to the inside.

Qs ---

1) Do most people here attached the balance weights on the inside?
2) If I ask the tire tech to remove the outside ones, will it leave a mark? How would I go about removing the marks?

Thanks!

[nesslar]

1). yes
2). polish

[Oh Haha]

For a proper balance, the weights should be placed wherever they are needed, inside or out.

Ask the tire tech to mount them on JUST the inside and hoepfully it will be fine but if not, be prepared to have to make a decision on how close to spot on balanced you want your wheels.


The weights will leave a gummy residue when removed but it can be cleaned off with GooGone or other type removers.

[McLaren-TAG]

It's pure laziness on the part of whomever is doing the balancing. Where the tire is placed, it can always be popped back off and slid around to negate the amount and location of the weights that needs to be installed in the first place.

[Cairo94507]

Just make sure they don't use a metal object, (screwdriver, etc.) to pry the old weights off. Balance those babies with weights on the back only.

[911s55]

I have all my Fuchs balanced with the weights on the inside. I also prefer to remove the tires and wheels from the car at home, remove the weights yourself and clean them especially on the back side so the weights stay stuck on. Most tire shops don't even know, or care how to properly jack up a 911. If you have any glue residue to remove try Naptha (lighter fluid) or Acetone, then polish.

David

[Arne2]

But do bear in mind that the factory did balance them with weights on the outside, as that does deliver a better balance. But with today's modern balancers, you should be able to get a smooth ride with weights on the back.

[83_Silberpfeil]

O-H ---

Thanks for the tip on Goo Gone. I'll keep note of that once I get the tires done.

JC

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

For a proper balance, the weights should be placed wherever they are needed, inside or out.

Ask the tire tech to mount them on JUST the inside and hoepfully it will be fine but if not, be prepared to have to make a decision on how close to spot on balanced you want your wheels.


The weights will leave a gummy residue when removed but it can be cleaned off with GooGone or other type removers.

[83_Silberpfeil]

Everyone ---

Thanks for all your help with this!

[83_Silberpfeil]

S55 ---

Interesting! What tools do you recommend for removing the balanced weights? Some sort of plastic tool? What about the tires? Do you have a tire removal tool (like the shop)?

I was thinking of doing something similar. Remove the wheels from car on my own. Leave car on jackstands in the meantime. Remove the weights on my own. Clean the insides of the wheel --- powerwash, brake cleaner, brillo, etc. Then take the wheels/tires to the installer.

I would prefer to avoid the shop lifting/lowering my vehicle.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 911s55

I have all my Fuchs balanced with the weights on the inside. I also prefer to remove the tires and wheels from the car at home, remove the weights yourself and clean them especially on the back side so the weights stay stuck on. Most tire shops don't even know, or care how to properly jack up a 911. If you have any glue residue to remove try Naptha (lighter fluid) or Acetone, then polish.

David

[McLaren-TAG]

Originally Posted by 83_Silberpfeil

S55 ---

Interesting! What tools do you recommend for removing the balanced weights? Some sort of plastic tool? What about the tires? Do you have a tire removal tool (like the shop)?

I was thinking of doing something similar. Remove the wheels from car on my own. Leave car on jackstands in the meantime. Remove the weights on my own. Clean the insides of the wheel --- powerwash, brake cleaner, brillo, etc. Then take the wheels/tires to the installer.

I would prefer to avoid the shop lifting/lowering my vehicle.

Thanks!

I did just that to my wheel about a month ago now getting it ready for the season. I was able to remove about half pound of total calcified brake dust from the insides of the rims that had accumulated there over the last 25 years. More than made up for the wheel weights.

[911s55]

If you have the metal clamped on weights I would loosen them from the back side of the rim with whatever will do the least amount of damage maybe a feeler gauge to get underneath it to allow you to get a plier around or under it.

If they are adhesive see if you can lift a corner either pulling it up or getting under it without damaging the surface.

No I don't have a way to remove a tire at home, I was referring to the tire and wheel as as set. If you can, find a shop that can do a static wheel balance (with tire and wheel mounted on the car)that is ideal, some suspension/alingment shops can do this, otherwise ask if they have a 5x130mm lug adaptor for balancing, it will be more accurate than the center hub method, I found a local Discount Tire shop that has an adapter, but watch them, they are usually kids, God bless em!

David

[Dublinoh]

When I bought new tires, I asked for weights on the inside, also they used four floor jacks properly placed to lift the car because it was low...did a good job at a national chain.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

For a proper balance, the weights should be placed wherever they are needed, inside or out.

Ask the tire tech to mount them on JUST the inside and hoepfully it will be fine but if not, be prepared to have to make a decision on how close to spot on balanced you want your wheels.

The weights will leave a gummy residue when removed but it can be cleaned off with GooGone or other type removers.

+1. This is the correct method. Placing them elsewhere instead is a compromise for aesthetic purposes.

Sherwood

[aoncurly]

I used a plastic putty knife and it worked great. You can get these at Home Depot for less than a buck. Won't scratch your wheel, and will remove the residue. I suggest you do not use any chemicals, especially degreasers. They stain the aluminum if left on too long. Ask me how I know....

[tobluforu]

Find a hunter road force balancer in your area, done.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

For a proper balance, the weights should be placed wherever they are needed, inside or out.

Ask the tire tech to mount them on JUST the inside and hoepfully it will be fine but if not, be prepared to have to make a decision on how close to spot on balanced you want your wheels.


The weights will leave a gummy residue when removed but it can be cleaned off with GooGone or other type removers.

The Porsche factory balances the wheels with weights inside and out. That's good enough for me!

[911pcars]

As for non-marring prying tools to remove stick-on weights, purchase a set of nylon pry bars from your local auto parts store or Harbor Freight. They're mandatory tools to extract tight-fitting instrument and door panels from their installed position w/o butchering up the surround. This applies to most late model vehicles.

Sherwood

[burgermeister]

I used to get the weights on the inside, and I used to have annoying steering wheel shake at 70 - 80 MPH. The new steel weights don't fit on the inside lip - they're too wide, so you have to find someone who still uses the small 1/2" lead weights, or you're basically at the centerline of the wheels with the "outside" wheel weights.

But, eventually I decided a non-shaking steering wheel was more desirable, so the weights are on the outside now. And since I track the car, they're even covered in aluminum duct tape. Sure looks ugly (until covered in brake dust, then it's not so obvious) but the steering wheel is nice & steady now, and the weights don't fall off.