any old timers know proper technique for bubble wheel balancers?

[60sMotorHead]

Found this after searching "4 point bubble balance" after seeing the term elsewhere. Sounds good from Thumper (method) combined with Packard V8 (weight placement depending on how much). I started mounting tires when shops kinked sidewalls (don't use slick goop), slow leaks (I don't expect them to spend much time on bead surface), and lately because they don't spin balance them as good as when I bubble balanced them (figure they got the new kid at Midas doing it). I also learned wheels have to be centered on spin balancer, which is difficult with Pontiac Rally II wheels (need to mount on a brake drum) and impossible with the 8-lug wheels (ditto).

Anyway, I put two Cooper 235/75R15s on the GMC C1500. First tire needed over 6 oz before I read this (done 13 tires and this was by FAR a record... maybe 3 oz max til now), but it's fine up to 80mph - I always split total weight on outside/inside. Second tire needs about 1.5 oz total and I'll do do it right.

THANK YOU all for input and direction - the internet is great.

 

[60sMotorHead]

Jack,
You sure do bring back memories! The "FIRST SNOW DAY" was a critical ritual at our store. I only went through it twice, really; both times I was a part-time tire buster. Got a phone call from the store manager at about 4:30 am (scared my parents to death!), ran down to the store and we opened early. Customers were lined up at our door before 6 am. Mounted tires all day, with no breaks. Store mgr bought sack o' burgers, and stuffed one in my mouth while I worked, and said, "You're doing great! Don't slow down, we'll eat well later!" We sold virtually every snow tire in the store. Everyone was filthy and soaked at end of day. Incredible memory. Thanks for that, Jack.

IIRC, there were three prices for balancing:
1. Bubble balancing = $1.00
2. Spin balancing = $1.50
3. Dynamic balancing on the vehicle = $2.50
The reason for the extra cost was it took much longer and had to be done by a mechanic. Tire busters could handle the bubble and the spin machine, but on the vehicle required art and experience.

Best tire balance I ever had was on 68 Impala at Precision Frame and Axle in San Jose around 1986 (guys had been there forever)... cost was $20 compared to 'forever' balance at Walmart for maybe $8. I asked the guy if was one-time or 'forever' - he said one time, but it'd be good. I'm guessing they balanced them on the car, but didn't say "mark how you remove them and put back in same position". Still have that car from college in 1981.. 345,000 miles ($300 for rustbucket 327 convertible w/145K, and timing chain wearing through cover).

 

[minke]

"... 3. Dynamic balancing on the vehicle = $2.50 ..."

That also balanced the cast (?) brake drums. If you "rotated*" your wheels all bets were off.

*I hate the construction "rotate wheels". Isn't that what you do when you drive?

 

[MikeRey54]

I used to, in the 80's spin balance tires on the vehicle with a strobe light, I would always split the weight, 2, 1 oz weights about 6 inches apart rather than 1, 2oz weight. When the balance was right the tire - wheel would spin with no noise, totally quiet

 

[Qualitytools]

I have used the bubble balancer as well as the spin balancer made by Hunter. Whenever I had too much weight on one side I would break down the tire and rotate it 180 degrees on the rim and rebalance it. The methods listed above for bubble balancing were correct.

Keep in mind that with a spin balance on the car (as mentioned) you balanced the entire assembly of tire, rim and brake component that rotated. Therefore, once you remove that wheel and place it in a different lug hole the balancing is off.

Thanks for the memories everyone.