Not every winter vibration is balance
Worth knowing in a climate like this one, because the same symptom has two different causes and only one of them is a balance problem.
A vehicle left standing in severe cold can develop a temporary flat spot where the tire sits on the ground. That produces a thumping vibration for the first few miles which eases as the tire warms and returns to shape. It is not a fault and no amount of balancing will change it.
A vibration that appears at a particular road speed, stays while you drive, and fades above and below that speed, is balance. That one is worth bringing in.
What balancing does
Every tire and wheel assembly has a heavy spot. At low speed it does nothing. As the wheel spins faster, the heavy spot is thrown outward harder until it shakes the vehicle, the suspension and the steering.
Balancing measures where the weight sits and adds counterweights to even it out. Beyond comfort, it protects tread from wearing in patches and spares the components that are otherwise being shaken continuously.
When it is done
As part of every tire fitting here, which is standard practice. After a curb strike that may have thrown a weight off. Whenever a speed-related vibration appears.
Commercial assemblies
Truck assemblies are balanced for the same reasons and with more mileage behind them. Fleets running a Purcell account have balancing built into fitting rather than treated as an extra.
About this store
The Fairbanks store is a commercial location open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, managed by Ron Hoffman, carrying seven tire categories. It also offers 24-hour roadside assistance, fleet services, heavy-duty truck alignment and car and light truck alignment, and performs no general vehicle repair.
The same service elsewhere in Alaska
- Tire & Wheel Balancing in Anchorage, AK, (907) 276-7515.
- Tire & Wheel Balancing in Wasilla, AK, (907) 376-4755.
See the national tire and wheel balancing page for all 51 locations.