Balancing machines detect irregularities on parts during rotation and help eliminate them. Most often, devices with this operating principle are used in tire shops. In addition, these devices have found application in the mechanical engineering industry, where they help balance propellers, turbines and other parts.
Such devices may be equipped with equipment to automatically correct irregularities. In this article we will talk about calibrating a balancing machine with our own hands and describe its structure.
Structure of the apparatus
The basis of a balancing machine is the supports on which the workpieces and sensors are installed to determine their balance. During testing, the level of imbalance is determined, and based on this information, further actions are taken.
Depending on the type of support, balancing machines are divided into soft and hard. The first measure the parameters of the wheel, taking into account the vibrations of the supports. At the same time, the device is additionally configured for each detail, which allows for fairly accurate testing.
Rigid wheel balancing machines are capable of testing different types of parts with the same equipment. This is very convenient, but the quality of measurements can be seriously affected.
In both the first and second versions of the device, the speed sensor plays a special role. No less important for such a machine is the sensor that measures the rotation angles. Depending on the information input option, balancing devices can be manual or automatic.
Principle of operation
The main task of the balancing machine is to determine the balance of the geometric center of the wheel with its mass. An unbalanced part makes any job difficult and can lead to serious damage. Eliminating imbalance allows you to:
- Increase the service life of bearings.
- Prevent premature wear of tires.
- Increase the service life of suspensions.
Most often, such machines are in demand during the period when drivers change the type of tire. Balancing of out-of-tune parts can only be done using special equipment. There are machines at service stations that can work with a wide variety of discs in different modes.
There are several options by which you can correct imbalance of wheels or other parts:
- Balancing rings - used in the process of repairing metalworking machines.
- Adjusting screws - special pins are screwed into the unbalanced part, through which it is adjusted.
- Drilling is the most popular balancing option. This is done by creating holes that change the weight of the parts being processed.
Balancing machine repair
After prolonged use, individual parts of the device may malfunction. Conventionally, the origin of the breakdown can be divided into mechanical disorders and problems with electrical components. In the latter case, problems with the sensors are detected. Mechanical problems most often occur after falls or strong impacts.
Problems with the machine can be detected by the following signs:
- Normal balancing requires several cycles of operation.
- The parameters of the tested disks are determined incorrectly.
To repair a balancing machine, the type of failure is first determined by calibration. After this, the faulty part is replaced. Repairing a damaged part is more difficult than buying a new one. In addition, repaired structural elements most often break again after a relatively short period of time.
Homemade device
It is possible to make a calibrating machine at home, but only the mechanical part. Electrical equipment and measurement sensors should be purchased ready-made. The device drawings should be selected in accordance with the features of the future use of the machine. The best option for creating a balancing machine is presented in these step-by-step instructions:
- We create a shaft. It should be turned so that at one end there is a ready-made place for mounting bearings, and at the other there is a thread for installing a washer.
- We install bearings. It is best to use those that have already been used, but have not yet used up the main resource. Such parts will create minimal resistance.
- We form the apparatus stand. For these purposes, it is best to use a pipe with a diameter of 5.2 centimeters. At the upper end of the support we mount it from above and from the side.
- For convenient placement of the part, we recommend creating a support platform.
Video: DIY wheel balancing machine.
Nuances of operation
To start working with the machine, you need to fix the disk. This can be done using a nut and a cone. After checking the reliability of the fastening, you can begin measuring procedures. The disk is spun up, and then its performance is compared with the reference ones. Deviations should be in the range of 2 and 1.5 g. The first indicator is horizontal, the second is radial.
After the initial testing, all weights should be removed and repeated measurements should be taken. The disc under test stops at the heaviest point downwards. Be sure to take this information into account when measuring disk parameters. After this, the wheel must be twisted 90 degrees and a load is hung on the opposite side. If the wheel stops rotating when turned 45 degrees, it means that the do-it-yourself calibration was done successfully.
Many car enthusiasts underestimate the importance of wheel balancing, considering such a popular event a waste of money. But this is a big mistake.
Such an attitude can lead not only to costs in the future, but also to a serious accident with unpredictable consequences.
Remember that timely wheel balancing is one of the main tasks for any driver. Moreover, we will look at how, when and why this is done in the article.
When it is necessary?
Experts identify several basic requirements regarding wheel balancing.
This work must be performed in the following cases:
- When replacing tires from winter to summer (and vice versa). Usually, at normal service stations, when “re-shoeing” a car, balancing is done immediately and is included in the cost of the service. If you change the tires yourself, you will also have to do the balancing work yourself;
- In case of hitting a curb, falling into a hole or passing a concrete policeman at speed. Such situations rarely end without a trace for the car's drive. Even a minimal defect can lead to wheel imbalance. Therefore, contacting a tire service is also mandatory;
- Every 15,000 kilometers. Few car enthusiasts cover such a distance within one year, so balancing when changing tires seasonally is sufficient. But there are also “truck drivers” who have to do this work twice a year;
- Every 7000-8000 kilometers - for those who like fast and aggressive driving;
- Before a long trip (1.5-2 thousand kilometers and above) and after it. This requirement is based on safety reasons.
What is the danger?
It would seem that what can happen if wheel balancing is not done in a timely manner? We often forget that each wheel has its own individual weight, pressure, technical characteristics, oval shape and defects. Therefore, the issue of balancing it is very important.
If this is not done, the consequences may be as follows.
- The braking distance of the car increases.
- This is easy to explain - the contact area between the tire and the asphalt decreases, grip deteriorates, and traffic safety decreases.
- Controllability decreases.
- The reasons are the same as in the previous case.
- There is a beating in the steering wheel.
- The imbalance in the wheel is transmitted to the suspension, and then to the steering wheel. The stronger it is, the greater the vibrations the driver feels. In this case, driving a car is very dangerous.
- Suspension wear accelerates.
- Poor balancing (or lack thereof) most affects the suspension bearings and hubs. Due to imbalance, these elements of the chassis system may even collapse. The result is loss of controllability and the likelihood of an accident.
- Increased tire wear.
The reasons are uneven distribution of forces and the appearance of vibration. Essentially, the tires will be “eaten up” on one side.
Types of imbalance
Today there are two main types of wheel imbalance:
Static imbalance. This implies an uneven distribution of the mass of the product along the axis; the wheel begins to “beat” in the vertical plane. In fact, there is no center of gravity on the wheel axle at all. This problem sooner or later leads to destruction of the suspension.
Dynamic imbalance- unevenness in the plane of the wheel. In this case, there is a center of gravity, and it is on the axis of rotation (where it should be). The only difference is that the axis of inertia and the center of gravity do not coincide.
The cause of the imbalance may be the design features of the wheel (tread pattern, location of the valve hole, inaccuracies in geometry, dimensions, and so on).
In this case, the greatest imbalance can be caused by the car tire itself. Here, a lot depends on the rubber material, weight, structure, and so on.
Signs of poor quality work
Wheel balancing is not always done well. There are several factors by which this can be determined:
The service station does not take any measurements before carrying out work. A good mechanic should definitely check the wheel and tire runout parameters. At the same time, it is advisable to do this as accurately as possible, taking into account radial and lateral runout;
All dirt from the tire and excess elements from the tread must be removed. If this is not done, then balancing becomes a completely useless exercise. Before starting work, the wheel must be perfectly cleaned;
Pay attention to the appearance of the balancing machine. If it is dirty, then it is very difficult to count on accurate data and high-quality balancing.
Final balancing
Final balancing is performed on wheels that are already installed on the car. The advantage of the work is that not only the wheels are adjusted, but also the brake discs, CV joints, hubs and axle shafts.
This type of balancing ensures a real smooth ride, improves wheel grip and allows you to achieve a number of other positive aspects.
We do the work with our own hands
To perform balancing, you need to prepare a special set of weights (you can buy it in the store).
At the same time, for cast and forged wheels, balancers are sold that are glued to the wheel (they should be given preference).
The sequence of actions is as follows.
- Raise the wheel with a jack and make sure it rotates easily. If there is friction, loosen the hub nut slightly. Clean the wheel from dirt and remove all stones from the tread (they will interfere with balancing).
- Be sure to check the tire pressure. It must be in accordance with the recommendations specified in the car's operating manual.
- Remove the old balance weights.
- After this, spin the wheel counterclockwise and wait until it stops completely. Now you can mark the top point with chalk (this is the easiest place).
- Next, rotate the wheel clockwise and place the mark again (also at the top point). Between the first and second mark is the lightest part of the wheel.
- Glue balancers weighing 30 grams on both sides.
But that is not all.
We spin the wheel in any direction and see that after it stops, the weights should be at the bottom. With this we found out the point of necessary balancing. If the result is different, select heavier weights, but do not overdo it.
Having achieved the result, move the weights to the right or left from the last point. It is necessary to ensure that the wheel stops at different positions of the point.
Now move on to the rest of the wheels and proceed in the same sequence.
How do professionals work?
In professional workshops, wheel balancing is performed on special computer-controlled machines. Human participation in such work is minimal.
Laser equipment accurately determines the installation location and weight of the required balancers. In this case, all data is displayed on the monitor screen.
This balancing allows you to eliminate any type of runout of the wheel and disk assembly.
Conclusion
Remember that wheels need periodic balancing, and the technical condition of the vehicle and your health directly depend on this.
You need to understand that self-balancing wheels does not give an accurate result, only modern high-tech equipment can give an ideal result, and you can only find it in a good car service center.
Video Wheel Balancing:
Safety on the road is paramount, and to comply with it, your car must be in good condition. This rule applies not only to the engine, but also to all other parts of the car, including the wheels.
Why is wheel balancing necessary?
One of the most important criteria for the health of a car is the balance of the wheels, because unbalanced wheels impair handling, increase braking distance and contribute to rapid wear of chassis parts.
Of course, it is easier and better to carry out balancing at service stations, but it often happens that it is simply not possible to go there. In such a situation, you need to do the balancing yourself. You can see the features of the process with your own eyes by studying videos on the Internet, but before that you should arm yourself with some theoretical knowledge.
Types of wheel imbalance
Before starting balancing, it is necessary to determine the type of imbalance: static or dynamic. This information is needed to accurately outline the further course of action.
In the case where the imbalance is static, the wheel vibrates vertically due to the difference in the weight of the wheel parts along the vertical axis. For example, it often happens that the part of the wheel with the nipple is heavier, therefore, when driving, when this part hits the road surface, an impact occurs. And the higher the speed, the stronger the impacts will be.
Dynamic wheel imbalance is the difference in weight that is shifted outward or inward of the wheel, causing it to oscillate from side to side. Again: the higher the speed, the stronger the vibrations. In the case of dynamic imbalance, you are unlikely to be able to do the balancing yourself, since this will require special equipment (in particular, a stand).
What is needed to balance wheels?
To do the balancing yourself, you will need special “equipment”. This:
- jack;
- balancing weights (special kits can be purchased at car dealerships and service stations);
chalk.
It is worth noting that if you have cast or forged wheels, it is better to purchase weights that are attached to a self-adhesive base.
On the Internet you can find detailed video recommendations that describe the preparatory stage of work. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with them so that your maintenance at home goes off with a bang.
The process of balancing wheels at home
Raise the car with a jack so that the wheel does not touch the ground. Next, rotate it (if the brake pad prevents you from doing this, remove the brake, and if the car is in gear, switch the gearbox to neutral). When the wheel stops, make a chalk mark at the lowest point. Spin it again, and if the mark is again at the bottom point, this means that the weight of this part of the wheel is greater than the opposite one. This kind of work requires a certain skill, so be patient, and everything will definitely work out.
Next, you have to attach the weights against the lower mark on the top of the wheel. Such actions must be repeated until the wheel, when untwisted, begins to stop in an arbitrary position. If you need visual support, you can find detailed video instructions for adjusting the wheels online.
To make sure that the manipulations performed correctly during balancing, you need to drive at a speed of about 90 km/h. If you did everything correctly, then no vibrations or knocking should occur.
It is worth noting that balancing wheels without a central hole can be done with your own hands using the same principle.
Additional recommendations
Despite the simplicity of the above balancing method, we strongly recommend watching thematic videos for a deeper understanding of the process. Regardless of how well you did the balancing yourself, it is better, if possible, to check the balance at a service station using a special stand. For greater reliability, final wheel balancing should be done using special equipment.
And one last piece of advice. Develop the following algorithm of actions in such conditions: before starting repairs, note the relative position of the disk and tire. After all, very often an imbalance appears due to the displacement of the tire relative to the rim. This can happen after a tire or tube has been repaired while being mounted on a wheel.
Real-time balancing using a lightweight wheel as an example can be seen in the video:
Hello, dear readers and blog visitors Avtogid.ru. Today in the article you will learn how to balance car wheels with your own hands. Of course, you can object and say that why carry out the steps to balance the wheels of your car yourself if you can contact a tire shop. These objections are partly correct, but if you look at it on the other hand, you always want to learn more new, interesting and useful information.
It’s nice to complete any actions on your own without involving outside help. Do-it-yourself wheel balancing, among other things, is an excellent opportunity to save on vehicle operation. In principle, if you take everything apart in detail, balancing the wheels of a car will not take much time.
The most important thing is to overcome your own laziness and fatigue. Therefore, you should not balance wheels on weekdays after work, the efficiency will be zero and the quality will suffer first of all. It is better to choose a day off for this and calmly complete the work without haste or hassle.
Why do you need to balance car wheels?
A completely fair and logical question. It would seem that you “put on” tires and drive a car for your own pleasure. In fact, not everything is as simple as it seems to many. Balancing a car wheel is an important procedure that directly affects traffic safety.
The procedure for balancing car wheels is performed in the following cases:
- Replacing summer tires with winter tires or in reverse order. The rims remain the same, but the tires change. Driving on summer tires in winter is prohibited by law in many countries around the world.
- Frequently falling into holes or hitting other obstacles can lead to wheel imbalance. Often the force of the impact turns out to be so impressive that the discs have to be replaced due to their damage.
- Experts recommend balancing vehicle wheels after 20 thousand kilometers. The car does not always move on a well-maintained road surface. The presence of holes, potholes and other road surface defects negatively affects wheel balancing.
- If the rubber surface is damaged, it is dismantled and repaired. It is necessary to balance the wheels after such intervention.
- Long trips over distances of more than 2 thousand kilometers require a mandatory wheel balancing check for safety reasons.
It is not always possible or desirable to go to a tire shop to balance the wheels of a vehicle. By connecting your head and hands, growing from the right place, you can do this work yourself without outside help.
There is nothing complicated in this procedure. There is no need to rush, otherwise the quality of the work performed may suffer.
The process of balancing car wheels with your own hands can be divided into several stages:
Preparation.
Includes the purchase of self-adhesive weights that act as balancers. They are glued to the wheel to ensure balance in the rotation of the wheel when the vehicle is moving.
The car wheels must be washed and all pebbles stuck in the tread must be removed. There should be no dirt on the tires, otherwise the correct balancing can be called into question. Be sure to remove the cap if it is installed.
Next, take an ordinary jack. One side of the car lifts up, releasing two wheels. It is necessary to check their free rotation. They can be spun by hand in any direction. The wheels should spin without overcoming resistance. In some cases, to ensure free rotation, it will be necessary to loosen the hub mount. You just need to loosen the bolts a little. Don't forget to remove old weights from the wheel.
Heavy point of the wheel.
To determine the heaviest point of the wheel, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:
- the wheel spins clockwise, after it stops you need to mark the lowest point of the wheel. Using a marker with a rich yellow color, you need to put a mark
- the wheel spins counterclockwise. If after the wheel stops the mark is down again, then the heaviest point has been detected
- To balance the wheel on the opposite side from the heavy point, weights are installed on both sides of the rim of the disk
Poorly balanced car wheels lead to a significant lengthening of the braking distance. All this can lead to emergency situations on the roads. Often the contact area is reduced and the level of adhesion of the tire to the asphalt drops.
Controllability decreases.
The vibration of the steering wheel when driving a car is not only annoying, but can also reduce controllability. This phenomenon is especially dangerous at high speeds. The chances of getting into an accident increase many times over.
Suspension load.
Improper balancing of vehicle wheels leads to accelerated wear of the vehicle's suspension components. Individual elements may even be partially destroyed during long-term operation of the machine.
Uneven tire wear on wheels is the first sign of imbalance. Even new high-quality and expensive tires can be ruined in a relatively short period of time if measures are not taken in time. As practice shows, wear occurs on the outside or inside of the wheel.
In total, we can distinguish two types of imbalance associated with violation of the vehicle wheel balancing procedure:
Dynamic.
The incorrectly distributed weight of the wheel when it moves creates oscillatory movements. It begins to wiggle from side to side. The phenomenon occurs if the weight was unevenly distributed on both or one side of the wheel centerline.
