Balancing Lug-Centric Wheels - need a shop recommendation in the NE - Lateral-g Forums

HotRodKush · #1 08-30-2011, 10:24 AM

I've got a set of wheels that are lug-centric - so they need to be balanced by the lug holes, not the hub. It's as simple as using an adapter on a wheel balancer, but I can't find anyone local who has a setup for it. I can drive a couple of hours if needed, but does anyone know who does this type of work in the North East? I'd love a road-force balance too, but I don't want to push my luck.

DriverzInc · #2 08-30-2011, 11:13 AM

Any high end performance shops in the area? Usually, if they don't have the capabilities, then they would know of someone who does.

HotRodKush · #3 08-30-2011, 11:20 AM

I've called a half dozen local places, and they all keep recommending eachother

One place was very helpful, but they don't have the adapter either. Another place told me that they just balance lug-centric wheels by the hub anyway. Not sure about that one. Might be worth getting the adapter myself and lending it out to a good shop to do the balancing if their liability allows for it. Otherwise I might have to mail them out to be balanced out of state.

TheJDMan · #4 09-01-2011, 08:07 PM

If you can tell the difference between a lug centric balance and a hub centric balance you probably have bigger problems with the wheels than any weight is likely to cure. An alternative to tape weights is the use of balancing beads like Dyna Beads. I have been running them for years and they really work well.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/index.php

HotRodKush · #5 09-04-2011, 07:07 PM

Thanks! I'm just going from what the manufacturer recommended, I figured the hub wasn't perfectly round or something like that, since it's not used to center the wheel. I've heard of Dyna Beads but haven't used them - might be a better option, I'll check them out!

MGO · #6 09-05-2011, 12:50 AM

Try http://www.kulmannsautomotive.com/index.html I have heard good things about them and they do road force balancing. My brother used them once to have a new set of tires/wheels road force balanced and they turned out great. I don't know if they would have the lug-centric adapter, but it's worth a call and they are only about an hour away from you in Wolcott, CT. My 4Runner has lug-centric wheels and a local shop tried to balance my tires twice and both times were horribly out of balance. I ended up taking them to the dealer and they used the adapter tool and road force to get them spot on.