Do your tires have to be balanced at ever rotation?
I was planning to rotate them myself this time is it worth it?

 

If you can feel your car vibrate, then yes, otherwise, save your money.

 

When I got my tires, I got free rotation, & balance for the life of the tire.

 

You should have the tires balanced on a Hunter 9700. This machine actually places 800lbs of force on the tire during spin. This allows for very accurate balancing and match balancing if needed. Once done on a Hunter 9700, you don't need to rebalance, just rotate for up to 20,000 miles. If you have a car that is extremely sensitive to balance (like my Miata) this is the only thing that works. Well worth it. If you need to know where the shops are that have these, get on the Hunter website and find the dealer nearest you.

I disagree that just because you can't feel a vibration you should not balance. You very well could still have problems.

 

Agreed! I've been an advocate for this system for 3 years now. Not only does the system apply a "road force", but when properly used the system will measure the diameter of the rim and the tire looking for high and low spots. It will then tell the tech exactly where to place the tire in relationship to the wheel so that the 2 together are a round as can be. When a high spot on the wheel is place in conjunction with a high spot on the tire it cn create a lopsided effect creating a vibration.

The 800lb force is applied in order to look for weak spots in the sidewall. Again, this helps the system deside where the weights should be placed, as well as where the tire should be placed in relationship to the wheel.

The Hunter 9700 also can tell the tech exatly where to place the weights, outside lip, inside lip or along the id of the rim.

It should cost no more that $20 a corner. But is well worth it.