Can you balance wheels without tyres?

[cheeky_chops]

I bought some scuffed wheels off a chap i know. He says they balance fine and only changed them as it was an insurance job (he clipped a kerb trying to avoid an accident, unsuccessfully...)

Anyway, before i spend £600 on a set of trackday tyres, is it possible for a garage to check they will balance properly?? Just the rims, no tyres fitted ATM.

[slinky]

Yes, but it's pointless..

Balance without tyres, put tyres on, go out of balance..

[cheeky_chops]

i appreciate that they need to be balanced with tyres fitted, but i want to know they are ok BEFORE i spend £600 on tyres mail order

Thanks anyway!

Edited by cheeky_chops on Thursday 15th February 14:37

[Sam_68]

If they clipped a kerb, check very carefully to ensure the rims are true (mount them on a hub and spin them, judging by eye or, better still, using a dial gauge) and there are no cracks or significant damage.

It's quite possible to balance a slightly buckled or distorted wheel.

[steve_d]

As has been said your main concern is that they are true and have no cracks.
Even if the rim was out of balance it would still balance OK when the tyre was fitted. There would have to be something very seriously wrong with it for it not to balance.

Steve

[CombeMarshal]

cheeky_chops said:

i appreciate that they need to be balanced with tyres fitted, but i want to know they are ok BEFORE i spend £600 on tyres mail order

Thanks anyway!

Edited by cheeky_chops on Thursday 15th February 14:37

There is another way, go to your local tyre place and get a cheap remold fitted, balance it, then put it on another wheel and so on, I'm sure they will just let you slip them a few quid for it!!

[kenmorton]

If the wheels are only scuffed then there shouldn't be a problem, if you can mount a tyre on them and they hold pressure then they can be balenced.
If they were bent be more wary as they will have to be straightened out. If this is done by a professional refurbishment outfit then I wouldn't worry. If it's done by just knocking the dent out with a big hammer then leave well alone.

[EDLT]

I don't think you can knock a dent out of alloys with a big hammer. They are brittle compared to steel wheels, where hitting it with a hammer will do a fine job.

[Avocet]

Depends on the grade of alloy. I've knocked some dents out of mine (or at least greatly reduced them) with a hammer and a block of wood but it's a risky business. I check for cracks regularly!

[cheeky_chops]

thanks for the advise - exigeII size tyres so probably dont do remoulds