Hi,

I just noticed something that seems odd, though I admit that I do not know much about this subject. Our 2013 RDX (FWD with Tech) has 14 stick-on weights on the front left wheel, which I assume are for balancing. The other 3 wheels have very few (4 on front right, 5 on rear right, and 2 on rear left). Does 14 seem excessive? Might this be indicative of a faulty tire or wheel? As far as I can tell, the ride seems fine, so perhaps there is no problem at all.

The situation is very similar on our 2014 TL -- 16 on the front left wheel and 3 to 6 on the other wheels. I'm guessing that it is just a coincidence that the wheel with so many weights is the front left on both cars.

I would appreciate any feedback on whether or not this is "normal". Thanks,

Gregg

 

AS long as the wheel balances it should be good, if you are concerned a tire shop can break the seal and try rotating the tire on the rim to get a more natural balance.

 

That is called "road force balance" to adjust/rotate the rim and wheel to properly distribute the weight evenly before adding the weights. You might have to call a few places to see if they have the equipment to apply the +1200lbs of force on the tire during the spin balance.

 

Are these weights added at the factory, or at the port, or at the dealer? If it's the dealer, should I expect them to perform a "road force balance" for me?

Does an excessive number indicate a defect in the wheel or tire? Or does it simply represent a poor or sloppy job of balancing?

Gregg

 

The wheel tire combo is balanced at the factory but that much weight seems excessive and could indicate a slightly damaged wheel or tire.

If you are looking at a new car, you'll see a small colored dot on both the wheel and the tire. Those should match up. Both dots will wear off fairly quickly so you'll only see them on new'ish cars.

I would certainly ask the dealer and ask them to road force balance the wheels to reduce the amount of weights. While a lot of weights don't really harm anything, they are an indication of some sort of an issue with the wheel or tire.

 

Look at the tire, it has a mark to indicate I believe the point on the wheel it should be placed in regard to the valve stem. I had a tire with a lot of weights they rotated the tire on the wheel and much better after that.

http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com...0ask%20doc.pdf

 

As mentioned, each tire has a big red dot on it. On one tire, the red dot is as far from the valve stem as possible (180 degrees opposite). On the other 3 tires, it is about 90 degrees off.

The car must come from the factory this way, right? Why would they not line up?

Gregg

 

So which one is the one with all the weights. If the tire looks physically good then I would have a tire shop break the seal rotate the tires 90 or 180 degrees and try balancing it. If still unhappy then either the rim or tire could have an imbalance. If the weights land in the same place and just as bad then the wheel is probably to blame, otherwise the tire may be off.

 

So the guy or gal mounting the tires was red/black colorblind (or green/black depending on manufacturer) because it would be unusual to have all tires so far off and still need tons of weights