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vtwoodsman
05-15-2011, 09:50 AM
Last year I purchased from TireRack a new Wheel/Tire combination package that included balancing. Unfortunately the wheel balance was incorrect.
I had the new Wheels/Tires rebalanced locally (spin balance) at TireRack's expense, but I still had a problem with steering wheel vibration starting at 61 MPH. I brought this issue up with my local Mercury dealer and they recommended a "FORCE" balance. I've never heard of that balance technology before. It's basically a spin balance with pressure applied to the tire surface at the same time with a roller. Bottom line: The tire tech was able to rotate the tire on the rim and then balance with stick weights.
Results: No Vibration in the Steering. :beer:
MM03MOK
05-15-2011, 10:15 AM
Yes, Road Force Balance for the Win! This is a must!
rayjay
05-15-2011, 10:17 AM
Its also called a RoadForce balance. Sometimes if you warm the tires up 1st by driving a few miles, they will balance correctly with just a spin balance. I learned this with Kumho Ecsta 712 tires on Rage Race 10 wheels I bought from TireRack for my Focus. There is only one place in my county that roadforce balances and its not cheap.
vtwoodsman
05-15-2011, 10:51 AM
Its also called a RoadForce balance. Sometimes if you warm the tires up 1st by driving a few miles, they will balance correctly with just a spin balance. I learned this with Kumho Ecsta 712 tires on Rage Race 10 wheels I bought from TireRack for my Focus. There is only one place in my county that roadforce balances and its not cheap.

It cost me $15.00 per wheel at Vermont Tire in Montpelier, VT. It was worth the 60 bucks. These Force balance systems are rare for sure. Had to drive 60 miles to have the work done.
fastblackmerc
05-15-2011, 12:45 PM
Road Force balancing is the ONLY way to roll!
Bluerauder
05-15-2011, 01:11 PM
I brought this issue up with my local Mercury dealer and they recommended a "FORCE" balance. I've never heard of that balance technology before. It's basically a spin balance with pressure applied to the tire surface at the same time with a roller.

Many of us here having been getting the Road Force balance for years. They use the Hunter GSP9700 to do the balance .... here's a link to their site and you can search on shops that have the system in your area >>>>>>> http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/features/how.cfm
Rockettman
05-16-2011, 03:28 AM
I too have used Tire Rack when I ordered my winters for my old Focus (2 years ago). The option was right in the "check-out" area to have the RoadForce Balancing done. NO EXTRA CHARGE. They showed up at the house perfect.
Is it possible VTWOODSMAN that you may have just missed that option when buying them? I just ask because it is there.
Vortech347
05-17-2011, 01:20 PM
I don't even bother with tire shops anymore.

I ALWAYS have fomoco do my balancing. Everyone else gets it wrong.
vtwoodsman
05-17-2011, 02:07 PM
I too have used Tire Rack when I ordered my winters for my old Focus (2 years ago). The option was right in the "check-out" area to have the RoadForce Balancing done. NO EXTRA CHARGE. They showed up at the house perfect.
Is it possible VTWOODSMAN that you may have just missed that option when buying them? I just ask because it is there.

I dealt with TireRack by telephone. Had an agent there set me up. Never mentioned Force balance to me, just that the mounted BFG's would be balanced before shipping.
ctrlraven
05-17-2011, 02:21 PM
RoadForce balancing really makes a difference. I've a seen RF balance makes a tire need less weights added compared to a traditional one on the same exact tire.
LeoVampire
05-17-2011, 02:25 PM
A lot of the dealerships in Connecticut have these machines even Crest Automall where I bought my Marauder.

I have never had a problem with the balance since I let them do mine.
Bluerauder
05-17-2011, 02:43 PM
I dealt with TireRack by telephone. Had an agent there set me up. Never mentioned Force balance to me, just that the mounted BFG's would be balanced before shipping.

The term is "Road Force" balancing.
Big House
06-05-2011, 05:09 PM
Just had one of my wheels RFB yesterday...took out all the vibes. Currently getting all black treatment to my mesh wheels and I will get all four RFB'ed when I get them put back on.
Rockettman
06-07-2011, 05:29 AM
I don't even bother with tire shops anymore... Everyone else gets it wrong.
Afew seasons ago, I even had a guy at a Sam's Club tell me "they were almost impossible to balance, because the rims I bought were too big for the car!!"

They were stock rims! Too big!...ever hear of 22's?? Neadless to say the balancing was completely wrong, and I ended up at Ford where they did it right.
rayjay
06-07-2011, 05:35 AM
Afew seasons ago, I even had a guy at a Sam's Club tell me "they were almost impossible to balance, because the rims I bought were too big for the car!!"

They were stock rims! Too big!...ever hear of 22's?? Neadless to say the balancing was completely wrong, and I ended up at Ford where they did it right.

How bad did the hoser scratch them???
MM2004
06-07-2011, 06:12 AM
Road Force FTW!

Have had it done twice on my MM and will never go with a 'standard' balance again.

My MM rolls Nitto 555's like they are on glass.

:burnout:

Mike.
Rockettman
06-07-2011, 06:51 AM
How bad did the hoser scratch them???

No scratching thank God! If he had, I'm sure somehow that would have been my fault too! The rims would have been too shiney for the machine or something stupid. :shake:
Thomas C Potter
06-11-2011, 02:35 PM
i will NEVER again use the basic spin balance, RFV is the way to go, now if they ever do RFV for motorcycles......
burt ragio
06-11-2011, 05:46 PM
I was sick of a slight vibration comming up to the steering wheel at 80 mph. After doing a search for the Hunter 9700 I found a local tire shop Sullivan Tire has one. After I was quoted 100.00 to R/F balance four wheels I decided to just the fronts. What a difference no vib at any speed. I too will never settle for any other balance method.