I just got a new set of wheels, I took it to this nice shop, they put everything together but after the first trip I lost almost all the weights from both rear wheels. took it back in, they rebalanced, drove 300 miles straight and I lost some more..... wth? should I super glue them to the wheels? the car drives so nice after they balanced but it seems like they are not sticking well or something!!!

 

Did the tire shop offer any explanation?

--Spike

 

Go to another shop

 

well I am about to go back tomorrow... and ask for at least part of the money back and go somewhere else. Because they mounted the TPMS sensors from OEM wheels, mounted and balanced tires w/o scratching anything. When I went back they said that it happens... and since this is my first aftermarket wheel IN A LONG TIME because this never happened with my 06 OEM wheels. now eventhough it is missing some of the weights the car still drives nicelly, sharp and no pulling or vibrations.

 

^^ Thanks for the reply.

If your tire shop successfully installed your TPMS sensors, mounted the tires on your new wheels, and mounted the wheels on your car; and did all this without scratching or damaging your wheels… they are likely a good shop.

It’s probably that the shop has encountered a new situation with your wheel/tire combination that defeats their usual attachment methods for wheel-balancing weights.

I would give the shop another chance. They will figure this out and find the correct method to attach the weights.

--Spike

 

Make sure that they use a cleaner to clean the surface where the wieghts are going... When I worked at discount tire, we used to scrape off the dirt and left over backing from the previous wieghts and then cleaned it with some stuff from a can... That should eliminate the chances for the wieght to fall off... GL

 

^^ Yes and of course, but these are new tires (no dirt/grime or previous weights).

--Spike

 

1. make sure the barrel is clean of ALL grease/brake dust/solvent
2. the adhesive they are using probably needs some bonding time, i'd probably put pressure / heat up/ whatever to get that adhesive to stick
3. if you don't care about the look, use foil tape to tape the weights down.

 

yup, these are brand new tires / wheels.

 

tape the weights down? for real? for how long?
thanks everyone for all the tips. Yeah I actually like the shop, I was actually advised to have them do it because they are known to be very good at it.

 

Wow, they must be using some cheap weights. I've had all my wheels balanced with stick on weights for years and have never had one come off. In fact, the biggest problem is getting the old ones off to balance it later after a tire replacement.

I still have the tape on some wheels where they took the weight off and couldn't get the tape off.

 

brake cleaner and/or wd40 on the adhesive tape worked for me. just have to pick at it.

 

Do what bike racers do, speed tape over the weights. You may even be able to get the right color to match the wheel

 

I've tried WD40, mineral spirits, Goo Gone and just about anything else that won't harm the finish.

A putty knife does some good but still mars the paint.

 

My experience with wheel weights matches Dave’s comment. The usual problem is removing the tape/adhesive, and not the weight flying-off the wheel.

Reading 350zx6r’s information, it sounds as though the tire shop is competent. I’m sure they are frustrated, but they will figure this out.

The problem must be with the wheel’s surface and/or a coating on the wheel. My guess (this is a guess ) is that the shop will need to scuff/ polish the wheel’s surface where the weight is applied to assure adhesion.

Question: What brand wheel is this?

--Spike

 

I got the FIVE AXIS
https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-...me-wheels.html
right here on this forum

 

My buddy has this EXACT same wheel, no problem with the wheel weights sticking.

One of his wheels did come from the factory out of line, though.

 

I suppose that storing the weights and the adhesive in an area that was too cold or too hot (outside manufacturer’s specifications) could possibly affect adhesion. I doubt that the adhesive would be past its expiration date in a busy tire shop.

It’s probably some sort of surface layer (resin, wax, or petroleum-based product) the manufacturer applies to the wheel for protection and rust-prevention that’s defeating adhesion of the wheel weights.

The shop needs to insure a good adhesion surface on the wheel.

--Spike