Balancing wheels with aluminum rims?

[Jon h]

Hi, new member here. Long time lurker. I have a question about my wheel balancer. I have Hoffman Geodyna 30 that I bought awhile ago and I’m not sure if I have or can buy the proper clamp (?) for aluminum rims. I can balance steel rims with the cones and clamp that I have but the clamp will scratch the aluminum rims while tightening.

So, is my balancer only good for steel rims or can I buy different attachments for it that works with aluminum rims? And, does anybody happen to have a digital manual for this? I’ve contacted snap-on a few times but I’ve had no response.

Thanks,
Jon h.

 

[mike93lx]

Can you just make something to protect the wheel, like a disc of Hdpe? The cover from a plastic coffee can looks like it would work great with just the right size hole in the center

 

[kbeefy]

Is that cup metal? Mine are plastic.

 

[Jon h]

Can you just make something to protect the wheel, like a disc of Hdpe? The cover from a plastic coffee can looks like it would work great with just the right size hole in the center

That’s a good idea. I could give that a go…….

 

[Jon h]

Is that cup metal? Mine are plastic.

Yeah, it’s plastic but it’s pretty rough. The rim in the pic is a winter rim that I’m not concerned about but my other rims I don’t want scratched. A few grains of sand stuck on the face of the cup would leave some marks. Or are the cups not supposed to spin? Mine spins. I guess I could use a piece of plastic as mentioned above and hold the cup from spinning as I tighten the wheel down.

 

[51dueller]

I wonder if the rubber rings that Hunter uses would fit your machine. They come in 4.5 and 6". Stepping up to an adjustable bolt pattern plate is better but much more $$$.

 

[Jon h]

I wonder if the rubber rings that Hunter uses would fit your machine. They come in 4.5 and 6". Stepping up to an adjustable bolt pattern plate is better but much more $$$.

That looks like an option too. Or just buy a new cup that comes with a rubber piece. It looks like new ones do. I’ll measure my cup when I get home.

Thanks for the help, the balancing world is new to me. For the price I couldn’t pass it up.

Jon h.

 

[Sumboodie]

I think you mean wheels.

 

[kbeefy]

Yeah, it’s plastic but it’s pretty rough. The rim in the pic is a winter rim that I’m not concerned about but my other rims I don’t want scratched. A few grains of sand stuck on the face of the cup would leave some marks. Or are the cups not supposed to spin? Mine spins. I guess I could use a piece of plastic as mentioned above and hold the cup from spinning as I tighten the wheel down.

The cups on my retaining 'crank' swivel relative to the handle. Once they contact the wheel, they remain stationary as I continue to tighten the retainer. I suppose if some gravel or something got between the cup and the wheel it could mar the finish, but in 7 years I haven't noticed that happening.

 

[Jon h]

I’m now thinking that when this unit was new that’s how it worked. . The crank on mine doesn’t stay clocked together with the cup. I think I’ll buy a new crank with the corresponding crank so it’ll work like yours does
Thanks, that solves my problem.

Regards,
Jon h.

 

[39CAMC]

You can cone most aluminum wheels from the front too.

DaveW