Wheel balancing is quite an important thing to do in your heavy-duty truck. You are driving the truck for thousands of miles, and the wheels need to be balanced at all times. This will provide you with a comfortable driving experience. On the other hand, you will be able to ensure that your tires remain in good condition all throughout as well.
As you do your research, you’ll likely come across a variety of myths that many have believed over the years. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of these misconceptions in an effort to make the process easier for you.
Myth 1: Wheel balancing is only necessary for front wheels.
Many truck drivers and fleet managers believe that only the front wheels of a heavy-duty truck need to be balanced, as they bear the majority of the handling responsibilities. However, all wheels, including the rear ones, should be balanced to ensure proper handling and extend the life of the tires. Unbalanced wheels can cause uneven wear on the tires, which can lead to uneven handling and decreased fuel efficiency.
You should get both front wheels as well as rear wheels of your heavy-duty truck balanced. This would not be something that you can do on your own as well. You will need to seek the assistance of an expert heavy-duty truck wheel alignment shop. Even if the wheels seem to be working fine, you should take your truck to a wheel balancing shop. Then they will be able to perform inspections and confirm whether you need to proceed with balancing the wheels or not.
Myth 2: Wheel balancing only needs to be done when new tires are installed.
While it is true that wheel balancing should be done when new tires are installed, it is also important to balance the wheels periodically throughout the life of the tires. As the tires wear down, the balance of the wheels can change, and regular balancing can help to extend the life of the tires and improve handling.
Myth 3: Balancing weights can be placed anywhere on the wheel.
When balancing a wheel, it is important to place the balancing weights in the correct location. If the weights are placed in the wrong location, they can cause the wheel to vibrate and cause uneven wear on the tires. Balancing weights should be placed as close to the center of the wheel as possible and on the same plane as the valve stem.
Myth 4: Balancing is only necessary for heavy loads.
It is not true that wheel balancing is only necessary for heavy loads. Even if the truck is carrying a light load, unbalanced wheels can cause problems with handling and tire wear. Regular wheel balancing is important to ensure proper handling and to extend the life of the tires.
Whether you are carrying a heavy load or not, you will need to pay special attention to wheel balancing. Even without a heavy load, your heavy-duty truck will weigh tons. Therefore, you need to make sure that the wheels are perfectly aligned to make you drive the truck on the road without encountering any challenges.
Myth 5: Balancing is only necessary for steel wheels.
Wheel balancing is important for all types of wheels, including steel, aluminum, and alloy wheels. Unbalanced wheels can cause problems with handling and tire wear regardless of the type of wheel. Regardless of the nature of the wheels that you have in your heavy-duty truck, you will need to think about balancing the wheels of it. Make sure that you seek expert assistance for balancing the wheels. Even in smaller vehicles, the wheels are balanced regularly. Hence, there are no reasons for you to avoid balancing or alignment of the wheels of your heavy-duty truck. You will enjoy the results that come along with wheel alignment in the long run.
Myth 6: Balancing is only necessary for high-speed driving.
Wheel balancing is important for all types of driving, including high-speed and low-speed. Unbalanced wheels can cause problems with handling and tire wear regardless of the speed at which the truck is driven.
Myth 7: Balancing can be done by anyone.
Wheel balancing is a precise process that should be done by trained professionals. Improperly balanced wheels can cause problems with handling and tire wear and can also be dangerous. It is important to have the wheels balanced by a professional who has the proper equipment and training. There is some specific equipment needed to proceed with balancing the wheels. You need to make sure that you have all such equipment to proceed with. On the other hand, you should also make sure that proper inspections are done to confirm whether balancing is needed or not.
Final words
In conclusion, wheel balancing is a crucial aspect of maintaining a heavy-duty truck fleet. It is important to dispel the above myths and understand that all wheels, not just front ones, need to be balanced regularly, not only when new tires are installed. Balancing weights should be placed in the correct location and done by trained professionals. It is not only important for heavy loads or high-speed driving but also for light loads, steel or alloy wheels and all types of driving. Regular wheel balancing will improve handling, extend tire life, and increase fuel efficiency.
