I can change my own tires now... just need to buy a bubble balance and I'm set to burn through as many tires as I want.

 

Nice pick-up!

 

Anyone have experience w/ manually balancing wheels? I've done a lot of google searches and some people swear by just hanging a wheel by a string and using a level. Harbor Freight sells a bubble stand for $60... but hey... I'm trying to do this the cheap way.

 

My Dad has a tir puller/mounter and a bubble stand, he used it for stock sized tires on his '89 ford f-250 which we would use to get wood. It would get the tire really close. Certain speeds it would get a small vibration, but nothing major.

 

I always thought about buying a tire machine. Still think I will tho something a bit newer then that lol Nice find never the less!

 

Nice! If all else fails, I can show up to a tire shop in my mechanics clothes and ask a tech to balance the tires for a 20 spot.

There are a few on KSL... going for something like $2k. I got this one (and a 10gal compressor) for $100.

 

Geez why $2k? when I can get a brand new one from $1500? lol

 

The Hunter TCX575 is dope... barely touches the rim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzYKTZc2ukY

 

That's the tire machine we have where I work... Basically it's the best thing since sliced bread... Except when the little Plastic foot breaks off the arm that pulls the tire off and it scratches the crap out of the wheel... But it's pretty awesome and almost effortless!!!

 

Don't bother with getting balancing, just pour some dynabeads in... http://www.innovativebalancing.com/gallery1.htm

 

^^^ ooh! Ever used those?

 

I see those in semi truck tires a lot. Some like them others think they don't work at all. I know for a fact low speed they don't work at all. but highway speeds they work fine. if they stop in the right place.

 

good find, i work at a tire shop as the mechanic so i dont pay for anything except the tire!! 4 new nitto snow tires for my altima only 400 bux. i have no clue how to bubble balance, but that harbour freight sounds like it would work and come with directions.

 

Omg just saw that , i would so love one of those at work too ^_^. Curious about the Harbour Freight one too...does anyone have any experience with those?

 

I haven't personally used one, but there are a lot of youtube how-to vids showing "more or less" the proper way to use it. Looks really cumbersome and everyone complains about the included bead bar (scratches the hell out of the wheel lip). You can buy a nylon? one that will work much better. The hardest part of it all is breaking the bead.

This guy did a few "tutorials": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LAABOgXU1s