Am I Too Anal?!? (Real Thread!!)

Dave in Mpls · December 11, 2006

Apparently me and fatluke have the same posting problem!!!

Anyway.......

I went in Saturday to have the new BFG A/Ts installed. I had planned on pulling the old weights myself, but was running short on time. With all the vehicles out there now with the clearcoated aluminum wheels, I wasn't too worried, as SURELY the shops are using the no-mar weight pullers. I verified this when I brought the truck in....."Yep, No Problem" was the reply. Well, apparently if you want something done right, you best do it yourself. Each of my wheels now has a nice little dimple about the size of a BB where the clearcoat is chipped off just inside where the wheel weights were sitting. I just about soiled my drawers when I saw it!!!!! Not to mention the fact that they used what appear to be standard weights versus the polyester coated weights I also verified were going to be used!

I go to great lengths to keep the clearcoat intact, as the salt used here in the winter does pretty neat things to clearcoat chips.

I need to take the truck back anyway, as one of my TPMS sensors is now not working. How big a fuss would you make about the clearcoat, and what, if anything, can be done to fix it? Also, don't coated weights have a plastic-type covering on them, or is the coating transparent, and the weights look similar to standard uncoated weights? The smaller weights installed have a "M" between the ounce/gram markings, the the larger ones have "MICRO" on them.

Thanks for letting me vent!!!

Bish · December 11, 2006

I used to have them do a static balance. I am told a static does not put weights on the outside. Instead they use stick on weights under the rim. I used that approach with good success. Sometimes, they cannot get a good enough balance with a static in which case they suggested the outside weights. In that case you either live with vibration or put the weights on the outside. I have never seen weights that will protect the rim though.

Dana_15 · December 11, 2006

I'd be pretty upset also......those spots will probably start oxidizing like a mother, at least they would up here.

Elwood 2000 · December 11, 2006

I have gone with weights on the inside, being behind the "face" of the wheel and they have come off over time. After having them balanced again, I put a peice of duct tape over the weights to keep them in place. Of course, be sure everything is VERY clean back there and press the tape on firm, especially around the edges of the weights. No problems since.

pm26 · December 12, 2006

Here is a quick way to fix this. Get a can of clearcoat paint from your local auto parts store. Buy a small artist brush. After shaking the can thoroughly, spray some clearcoat on the brush and dab a small amount of clearcoat into the damaged area 9where the wheel weight left an impression). Let dry and repeat several times.

The proper wheelweights for these wheels are MC series coated weightsl. But I agree that no matter how careful you are with the weights, eventually you will nick the clearcoat. The best approach is to use stick-on weights that mount inside the rim.

Teal03 · December 12, 2006

Or you can use Equal Tire Balancer.

Rich G.

pm26 · December 12, 2006

Or you can use Equal Tire Balancer.

Rich G.

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Equal tire balancer?

95Sierra2500 · December 12, 2006

You may have trouble with the clip-on weights with those tires, I am running nearly identical General Grabber AT2's and CANNOT keep the weights on the tires...they're constantly falling off. The stick-on weights seem to be doing much better now though...I haven't been in to have my tires balanced in about 3 weeks.

pm26 · December 12, 2006

You may have trouble with the clip-on weights with those tires, I am running nearly identical General Grabber AT2's and CANNOT keep the weights on the tires...they're constantly falling off. The stick-on weights seem to be doing much better now though...I haven't been in to have my tires balanced in about 3 weeks.

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Tires have nothing to do with the type of clip on weights which are right for your vehicle. It is the rim edge that determines that. For example, many Japanese cars use the FN type weights, many Ford and some Mazda models, as well as GM OEM truck wheels use MC type weights. There are also special weights for Mercedes, chrysler, VW vehicles, etc.

Using the proper clip on weights that match the rim on your vehicle is a must if you do not wnat the weights to be thrown off. i agree that stick on weights are a good alternative when you cannot find a good clip on weight type for your wheels.

firefighteremt3100 · December 12, 2006

They run equal in bigger tires on the big trucks. I haven't really heard of anyone using them on pickup trucks or smaller vehicles. Its just a bag of powder they put inside the tire. When you drive and the tire spins around and around, it flings the powder around and the powder sticks to the inside of the tire..."equalizing" it. Thus...equal powder.