Search this subject. It was just extensively discussed. I use the Harbor Freight balancer stand and it works just fine. It has beveled adaptors that hold on the bearings well. I use the steel weights from HF.What is the best way to balance tires/wheels? What balancer stand do you use? I saw the Moto balancer at Harbor Freight, but I don’t think it will accommodate our axle size…..
Whaaaaaaa? Send pictures! I wonder if they changed the design! Mine fits the axel holes with the cone fittings......Well, I bought the Harbor Freight motorcycle wheel balancer and in fact it does not accommodate the axle size on the airplane. Buyer beware.
Same here, bought the one referenced in post #2, checked today, and the stupid cones are too small in diameter and can't center on the bearings... will now have to manufacture either some cones or adaptersit does not accommodate the axle size on the airplane
I don’t have pictures and won’t be able to get them anytime soon since my airplane is in the paint shop.Whaaaaaaa? Send pictures! I wonder if they changed the design! Mine fits the axel holes with the cone fittings......
OK: I think we have come up with what the problem is. There has been a change in the design of the cones in some of the designs. You likely have the skinny cones rather than the fat ones that are the ones that work. I pulled up the picture of the one on HF and they are now the skinny ones....I don’t have pictures and won’t be able to get them anytime soon since my airplane is in the paint shop.
I also have a similar Coats changer and balancer and there is no way you can program it to work on such a small tire. Unless you are a computer programmer and can hack into the software.I’ve got a full size tire spin balancing machine. I wonder if there’s a way a could fabricate appropriate adapters to make it work. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried this?
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I sincerely hope there is... I'm amidst a 400h inspection/ tires & brakes replacement, and though the tire wear looked pretty even, I was getting more shimmy by the landing... >90% of my landings are on concrete, 3 pointers mostly. The shimmy started about 50 landings ago and was on the increase.it is good practice but is there a “real” benefit?
One low tech way I have done (I have the Harbor Freight one now), is to fill a mud sink and float the tire on it's side. Simply set the weights on the rim until the water level is the same around the O.D. of the tire all around. It works fine.......What is the best way to balance tires/wheels? What balancer stand do you use? I saw the Moto balancer at Harbor Freight, but I don’t think it will accommodate our axle size…..