Hi all,

 

Had a wheel replaced (nearside rear) on Friday, but now getting a noticeable judder from the back of the car at motorway speeds. Asked the garage if they balanced the new wheel and they said they had.

 

Upon inspection of the new wheel, it does not appear to have any weights on it, and the weights have been removed from the offside rear. Does this seem normal? I think both front wheels also have weights on them. I don't really know much about balancing wheels but I know that I didn't have this juddering last week. My parcel shelf even came out of position this morning! Off back to the garage to get them to have another look tomorrow.

 

So VRS owners, do all your Gemini wheels have weights attached? Have you had any similar issues with juddering after a wheel replacement?

 

Thanks

 

Edited 20 March, 20179 yr by ahenners

They normally take all the weights off prior to balancing but I've yet to see a 'working' wheel without any weights! I think that a return visit is in order.

It is possible to have a well balanced wheel after fitting, without having to put any weights on. It is pretty rare though.

 

I would be checking your wheel nuts for tightness just to be safe. 

2 hours ago, HeavyMetalRich said:

It is possible to have a well balanced wheel after fitting, without having to put any weights on. It is pretty rare though.

 

I would be checking your wheel nuts for tightness just to be safe. 

Good quality wheels are supposed to be balanced. Good quality tyres, likewise, are meant to be balanced as manufactured (when new). There is a mark on a new tyre (a pink spot on the sidewall?) which should align the tyre with the valve in the wheel - yes, it's that critical. I've never actually seen this done, however, which supports HMR's comment. I've also known balance weights to fall off if, like me, your wheels are kept well-waxed and the tyre fitter hasn't cleaned/degreased the area where the weight has been stuck.

21 hours ago, TheOctaviator said:

Good quality wheels are supposed to be balanced. Good quality tyres, likewise, are meant to be balanced as manufactured (when new). There is a mark on a new tyre (a pink spot on the sidewall?) which should align the tyre with the valve in the wheel - yes, it's that critical. I've never actually seen this done, however, which supports HMR's comment. I've also known balance weights to fall off if, like me, your wheels are kept well-waxed and the tyre fitter hasn't cleaned/degreased the area where the weight has been stuck.

 

Yeah even lining up the dot to the valve can still require balancing. In most cases it does minimize the amount of weight required. But sometimes its quite difficult to line up the dot and that's when its on the correct side of the wheel!

Thanks for the replies. Went back today to get the rear wheels rebalanced. Seems much better now - looks like they added some more weights.