TM 9-2320-280-20-2
8-9. TIRE BALANCING
This task covers:
Balancing
INITIAL SETUP:
Tools
Personnel Required
General mechanic’s tool kit:
One mechanic
automotive (Appendix B, item 1)
One assistant
Test Equipment
Manual References
Bubble balancer (Appendix B, Item 130)
TM 9-2320-280-24P
Materials/Parts
Equipment Condition
Wheel balance weights (as required)
(Appendix G, Item 3)
Wheel removed (para.
Chalk (Appendix C, Item 15)
8-3).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
8-30
NOTE
Wheel and tire must be clean and free of foreign material.
Wheel must be centered on balancer utilizing lug nut mounting holes.
Mount tire (1) and wheel (2) on balancer, curb side up.
Locate and mark light spot (5) on tire (1).
NOTE
If more than 29 oz. of weight is required to balance tire, wheel and
runflat must be disassembled and tire rotated 180° on wheel.
Tires can be balanced using either adhesive backed or clip on type
weights. Follow steps 3 through 10 if using adhesive backed
weights, or steps 11 through 15 for clip on type weights.
Add 6 oz. of weight (4) to center of light spot (5) between wheel (2) and clamp ring (3) until weight
required to balance tire (1) is met or exceeded. Do not permanently attach weights (4) at this time.
If weight requirement is exceeded, evenly remove weights (4) in 1/2 oz. increments from each side of
light spot (5) until tire (1) and wheel (2) are properly balanced.
Record amount of weights (4) used, and remove tire (1) and wheel (2) from balancer.
Working from light spot (5) on front side of tire (1), mark rear side of tire (1) and inside of wheel (2)
for light spot (5) identification.
Temporarily attach weights (4) with tape to inside of wheel (2), in a radial direction, following
weight placement diagram.
Repeat step 1 and add or subtract weights (4) until tire (1) is properly balanced.
NOTE
Wheel must be smooth and clean before attaching wheel weights.
Remove adhesive backing from weights (4) and attach to inside of wheel (2) following weight
placement diagram.
Repeat step 1 to ensure tire (1) is properly balanced.
Place a 6 oz. weight (6) on edge of wheel (2) with clip (7) centered on light spot (5). Do not
permanently attach weight (6) at this time.
Check wheel (2) and tire (1) for proper balance. If necessary, add weights (6), or replace 6 oz.
weight (6) with a lighter weight (6), making sure weight clips (7) are centered on light spot (5) and
weight (6) are not permanently attached.
