New Tires and Wheels

I often say that tires are the most important purchase for your vehicle. Especially with a performance vehicle. Here are the tires I'm using.
www.summitraci...
Honestly, I'm not as happy with the wheels. They were affordable, but not as round as I like my wheels to be as you see in the video. Here's a link to them.
www.partsgeek.c...
I'll probably end up replacing them with a better set before I'm done with the build.
Ford Wheels: www.fordparts.c...
Previous video in the series: • Installing the New Dif...
The #FairmontProject playlist: • ETCG Gets a New Car! -...
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Camera: Brian Kast
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Discussion about this video: www.ericthecar...
Related videos
My Tire Machine: • Ranger R76RTF Tire Mac...
Are You a Tire Junkie?: • Are You a Tire Junkie?...
Do You Need an Alignment?: • Do You Need an Alignme...
New Fairmont Parts: • New Fairmont Parts! #F...
Tools
My Tire Machine: www.bendpak.com...
My tire balancer: www.bendpak.com...
Valve Stem Tool: www.jbtoolsale...
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[@moguls914]

This was one of the most satisfying sounding videos I've ever watched. The pneumatic sounds of the tire mounting machine and the "waaa" sound of its electric motor, the sound of the tires squeaking onto the rim, the ABSOLUTE SILENCE of the helper arms when they move away, the "pinnh" sound of the tires/wheels bouncing cleanly on concrete, the futuristic "wooo" sound of the electric motor on the balancing machine, all of those sounds and no music. 10/10 could listen to while falling asleep. Maybe I'm OCD, but these sounds felt like velvet on my eardrums.

[@Johnny-yc2cs]

Most companies have great customer service if thousands of people are watching.

[@BigKing17]

Thought the exact same thing

[@erg0centric]

and they will send the wheels back, how much labour is involved?

[@MsSomeonenew]

Ya, they won't do that shit for a regular Joe.

[@ChinnuWoW]

How would the company know that thousands of people are watching?

[@Johnny-yc2cs]

+ChinnuWoW They obviously knew who Eric was. He even said he showed them the video.

[@christopherrudolph5096]

So I ran into this issue many years ago when I did vehicle maintenance for a state agency. Steel wheels are "close enough" to round that you don't notice. The steel wheels aren't turned and machined like aluminum wheels, so there is going to be some difference there (welding points and heat warping). All within tolerances depending on the manufacturer. I did find that the OEM wheels were better than aftermarket wheels though. Great video, Eric!!

[@ericthecarguy]

That's what I suspected. Thanks for your input.

[@yerfdog123]

From someone who worked at a tire shop for two years, I was taught to never double the weights up especially if they aren't directly next to each other. It usually can be resolved with a heavier weight directly in center of the gap of the 2 weights. I understand you were using what you had and that's totally cool! But can definitely be less of an "eyesore" with 1 less wheel weight. Awesome job Eric! The helper arms always came in handy with low-profile tires! ESPECIALLY run-flat tires.

[@RobertCiampa9112]

Nothing like a relaxing tire mount video. I always come back to you Eric. Thanks!

[@dav8388]

a trick I found is when it asks for a second weight all you have to do is remove the first one and slide it towards where it's asking for the second one.

[@fiehlsport]

Yup. This video demonstrated counterbalancing and it’s easy to fix using your method or bumping up the original weight a little bit. You eventually learn exactly how to fix it when the machine asks for weight twice.

[@zx8401ztv]

So nice to change/install tyres with the right tools, like a walk in the park. I dont blame you for taking care of your machines, you have worked bloody hard for them. The hydraulic press,rotor lathe and strut spring compressor are great but the best is the car lift, sooo easy to get access to the car underside, a big No1 in my view.

[@ericthecarguy]

Indeed.

[@utfan26]

when is the new engine install video coming out?

[@ericthecarguy]

I give updates on the project here on the last day of every month. In fact, in about an hour, the September newsletter will go live with all the latest info. www.ericthecarguy.com/blog

[@JordyValentine]

Takes me back, I used to do this so many damn times a day haha

[@JordyValentine]

Also, I can attest to new Ford wheels not being very round. Used to work at a Ford dealer haha

[@foxdmulder]

Let it just be known that there is no thing as a perfectly round steel rim.

[@AKADriver]

I was thinking the same thing. The nature of how steel wheels are made, they will always be a few hundredths out of round. Especially a large diameter wheel. It's probably less noticeable on the typical 14" steelie.

[@foxdmulder]

+Obbelisk run a dial indicator on 'em.

[@foxdmulder]

+Obbelisk so was that p)

[@jeepmanxj]

The first ones were way out, even for steel wheels. The second set seemed more in line with what I've seen.

[@davidmcclelland8090]

+Obbelisk How long ago was this? Reason I ask is when Thor was little he used to run around banging on random things with his hammer. Those wheels might not be as straight as you think.

[@dkongul]

the question is, would dorman change the wheels if you were just Eric not EricTheCarGuy. I think not

[@drewb242]

Probably or they would at least let you return them. Especially if you showed them a video proof of the wheels spinning on a tire machine.

[@ruokanen4163]

yep that 835k subscriber maybe little help

[@alb12345672]

Maybe their products aren't 100%(what manufacturer is?) but their customer service is very good. I bought an crown vic intake, and it had a vacuum leak due to a new design and no instructions. A new intake was overnighted to me. We felt the gaskets may have been damaged because it was installed over a divot.

[@davidmcclelland8090]

I almost went with Dorman when my Crown Vic intake finally cracked. Last minute decision had me get a genuine Motorcraft part and as I was upgrading to PI and needed tolerances as exact as possible. But I have read their window regulators for our cars WAAY exceed the crappy and overly expensive Motorcraft original equipment. Have read a lot of satisfied customers of Dorman for window regulators, so I'm going with them on those.

[@dkongul]

David McClelland generally companies are good with some parts and waaay shitty with other parts. You have to mix and match for the best bang for buck

[@BorisFett]

12:36 Good shot of the Fairmonts new intercooler !

[@alwayswatching1931]

I cant wait for that install video and test drive.

[@Jeremy150HDz]

Eric, just so you know when balancing wheels, try to not have a space between you weights as it doesn't give a true balance. Some times you have to just move the weights over to correct for it. For example, if it wants you to add another .5oz about 6 inches over, all you would have to do is move the weights over to where it wants you to add weights. You may also have to put on a slightly heavier weight to make up for it too. I know these are already mounted, but like you said if you go back to re balance them try this way and see if it makes it a little bit better.

[@Kale83]

A few tips I've learned during the years installing tires. If using the helper arms the tire goes on much easier if you press it down a bit more with the arm that goes around along the tire. Ideal would be getting the lip of the tire pressed down to the "narrow part" of the rim - it will have more room and not get stuck half the way and forcing it from that point might do damage. I never had a tire machine that has helper arms (I wish I did) but I still managed to fit 19" low profile tires with careful use of two slim tire irons. And about balancing, I hate those weights also - one of my suppliers had those and they never did seem to fit. Usually bought them if I needed weights quickly because I could get them the same day and then ended up using them for half a season.. But about balancing, don't put multiple weights around one side even if the machine wants you to do that - lets say the machine asks you to put 25grams to one spot and then asks for 10 more let's say 20cm from the first point. I would remove the 25g and put 30 (not 35) around somewhere in the middle of these to spots and try again. Usually goes to 0. Multiple weights around one side of the rim in different spots might make the wheel to go out of balance when the tire has worn in or while the tire is wearing. I learned this from a guy who had been doing tires for 30 years. Also a tip for a neat look on new steel wheels. Use the aluminium rim weights that go on with two sided tape on the inside. Use aluminium rim program on the balancing machine and settings like you would on one. Also every hammer-on weight is a small risk of leak.

[@Pilotbound]

For anyone wondering, the red dot marks the high point for runout on the tire. Some steel wheels have a dimple marking the low spot on the wheel and it should be aligned with the red dot. Otherwise it should always be aligned with the valve stem. Sometimes you see a yellow dot also, that shows the "light" spot on the tire and should also be aligned with the valve stem for balancing purposes. If both yellow and red dots are on the tire, the red dot takes priority. Any other color "dots" are for manufacturing purposes and you can ignore them.

[@Aristotle2000]

1:38 gives new meaning to Eric's mantra "Stay Dirty."

[@Ben.e39]

Lmao how did I not notice that

[@daveogarf]

I'll be DINGLEHOFFERED! Dorman came through! That's the kind of make-good that we all love to hear about!

[@EverthingYouNeed]

stick on weights for new wheels to keep from damaging the rim and avoid early rusting and if you do a static spin you won't have to add multiple weight to the balance locations also try to front cone the wheels I have found that back coneing some times cause rims to seem bad and need a lot of weight not that yours did but try front coneing if you can and see if that helps also I bought Jegs steel powder coated rims in 15" for only $25 apiece and they look extremely similar to what you got so maybe look at Jegs

[@kaidancefirebaugh7155]

Hey Eric, When balancing you should only add one weight or group of weights per side when in the case you don't have a weight large enough. When adding a weight, then spinning it, then adding more weight to that same side and is know a counter balancing and can make the machine think its balanced but will cause vibration when driving on the road. This means either the weight was put on wrong or the machine is out of calibration. Also i think some sticky weights on the in side of the rim would improve the look of the rims. Personally I thing clamp in weights look terrible.

[@andrewcz8871]

I can't be the only one who sees a runtime under 20 minutes and gets a little bit sad lol. I know not every video is gonna be an epic, hour long tool & part extravaganza, but I think I've been spoiled by all the killer content on this channel. Oh well, this was a good video anyway. Keep up the good work! Really excited to see some #fairmontproject engine videos soon.

[@VochoTalacha]

When I had steel wheels on my VW bug and had them balanced, I always asked the guys to install the weights on the inside... I hate the weights on the front of the rim. And yeah, a lot of steel wheels are not so round. They get welded, and handling also causes this stuff. I've had steel wheels like this for a long time and they balance OK and work like a champ on the highway.

[@markm0000]

Yeah they will warp by the time you do a tire rotation anyways. Balancing is part of the game with steelies.

[@fordwindsor351]

Weights on outside is a must depending on what the balance machine says.

[@VochoTalacha]

I figure it is, but I never had issues with that. No vibrations or anything. Actually, the guys at the tire shops asked if I wanted "active balancing" and that meant the weights on the inside. Just to be clear I'm not debating weights must go on the outside, just telling my experience. I don't have steelies anymore, I have mags and that's even better because it's the type of rims that use weights that are glued on the inside of the rim

[@JarrettDaRaiderBoi]

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I was always told not to put weights on different spots on one side of the wheel because of counterbalancing. And you could static balance your wheels so that only the insides have weights. Could even use sticky weights.

[@GeorgeMcNally]

Love this series Eric. Back in 1979, I bought a brand new Fairmont Futura.......completely bone standard. 2.3 4 cylinder with a 4 speed manual trans....I think I paid around 4100 bucks for it. Had it for 9 years, drove it over 100k highway mile and I beat it like a rented mule the whole time I had it. Other than normal maintenance....I had "0" dollars in repairs. I traded what was left of it (it was completely used up and rusted out) in on a brand new Tempo......was looking at Mustangs, but I needed a 4 door :-(

[@Brian-Burke]

I really like the overall look of these tires. Just in general they look really cool to me.

[@HeadFlowInc]

I'd bet you would never have known on either set of rims! I've seen those Police rims at 140mph rolling as smooth as silk no vibration. JD

[@Gidanski]

Try using the cone for the balancer on the outside, will help centre the rim better. Only time we ever use a cone in the inside at work is when we get certain alloy rims (Nissan Patrols are bad for it)

[@wysetech2000]

I don't think i have ever seen a perfect steel wheel but it seems the off shore wheels are worse. That was an awesome thing for Dorman to do.

[@princekp1]

Eric the car guy and casey in one morning plus my wife and GOD gave me life, what a great way to start my day

[@blackmanops3749]

A little late to the party I know, but...this video really brought into stark relief how much your channel has changed since your humble beginnings. It's hard not to wonder if you consciously left the rest of us home mechanics behind. I recall how torn you were in bringing a lift into the shop for that very reason. Many thought, as I did, it was long overdue as lifts are not that expensive or out of reach of the serious hobbyist. But tire machines? And fancy new tricked out ones at that? Without even batting an eye? (Maybe I missed it as I'm just watching this 3-year Fairmont odyssey straight thru) C'mon Eric. Almost too bourgeois. Sorry. But, not to worry, I have your back. I am planning to do a similar build, but along the way I'll be doing a refurbish of an old school FMC/JB tire machine - something regular folk can afford. When I do (hopefully) get this content out there I have no doubt you'll be ok with giving me a shout out so I can snag some eyeballs given how you've arrived and hit the big time. Right? ;-)

[@DanielRodriguez-qp2os]

Eric, use black sticky wheel weights. This way they blend in and won't be on the face of the wheel.

[@amascia8327]

I got 8x15 steel wheels for my Ranger a few years ago... $73+shipping each. My mechanic thought they were rebuilt because of the quality/roundness problem. They do balance though. ... and, the extra unsprung weight makes the trucky Ranger ride worse. I'll probably get new lighter wheels eventually. Thanks for all your work.

[@MaverickandStuff]

They have balancing beads that you can put inside of the tire instead of the weights. They use them for motorcycles and large truck tires.

[@draggonhedd]

Eric, Steel wheels are rarely round even new. They can have up to 1/4 inch of runout in any direction. If you want round, get aluminum, though its rarely a problem.They will usually go that much out of round when you hit a pothole.

[@petergupta]

I might have a good tip for mounting stiff low profile tyres. Only use the fork (don't know the actual term in english. Its that metal thing you position right next to the rim) when mounting the bid facing the floor. When it comes to mounting the bid facing up, use the arm with the rubber/plastic wheel on it. Position it close to the rim at 1 o´clock and position the moving arm (the bendy one with joints) at 3-4 o´clock. Push down and rotate. Relieve pressure slightly when most of the tyre is on. You run the risk of tearing the tyre if you use the fork on really stiff tyres. Hope I explained my method sufficiently well. I don't know all the english terms.

[@l4d2160]

If it were me, I'd put those steelies on a car that isn't so important (or return 'em flat out) and get some nice looking 'pedestrian' aluminum wheels. Not sure if 17 inch wheels are only what you'll use, but I'd recommend the 'teardrop' or 'tenslot' aluminum factory wheels. These can be found on both a 98-00 Ranger as well as the 98-99 Explorer too. The teardops I think would look so nice on there.

[@chris1newbury]

7.37 no shiny bits 13.08 intercooler . shiny bits wooooooo !! . love eric builing stuff videos. awesome !!!

[@iDennis95]

if you think that tire size is hard to mount, try a

[@subwayguy1610]

Is it possible to put sticky weights on the inside of the wheel? Or is it not 'hollow' per say?

[@Rotming]

Man those little helpers are handy, me and my bud installed some low profile tires (even lower than that) and i was basically hopping on the tire while he spun the tire machine around

[@uncrediable]

Hi Eric! I've mounted low profile tires like that and used tire mounting iron in place of little helper. Put the end between the inner lip of the wheel and tire and push down to hold it in place :) It doesn't hurt the wheel, especially steel ones.

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Eric- you'd be better off going to Salvage Yard, plenty of Crown Vic wheels, media blast, refinish yourself (nice video opportunity). Tip- once the tire is on rim, before air, you can wiggle it to rotate where you want (line up dot). I would not trust your life, ruin those nice tires- with all that HP & torque- to warped rims. Weights can be installed to only inside if you want.

[@ericthecarguy]

That's a lot of work. Also, it's common for steel wheels to be out of round. Tolerance is .060 on a 17" wheel. I'm aware you can install weights on the inside only.

[@efilnikufecin2004]

Eric your balancer is set up for aluminum wheels, but you are balancing steel wheels. The cone should be on the lugnut side of the wheel, not the hub side.

[@efilnikufecin2004]

that plastic piece on the locknut has no flat surface to fit against.

[@Vercus100]

Wow, Dorman makes wheels! Didn't know that. Man, they really do make everything.

[@BigOxxTech]

I own a 2007 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor and it is very rare to find a truly round steely 17" wheel. That's why I went to aluminum, a little heavier but worth the ride when running on 235/55r17s.

[@ericthecarguy]

Cool. Thanks for the input.

[@HandyMike78]

The only constant in the balancing is the balance machine. Might want to check the run out on the shaft the rim mounts onto.

[@ericthecarguy]

It's fine. Ive come to find it's common for steel wheels to be like this.

[@gregagnew9777]

You're killin me with those weights

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Sleeper look of the wheels looks good. You may have you search at Pull apart, if it don't work out. I personally would add 16 inch instead, perfect for daily driving and track use. Smaller the tire better track feel, like for drag racing auto cross & road course is 50/50 but you have to good suspension like lowered the better.

[@IIGrayfoxII]

Do they not make alloy wheels that look like steelies just for sleeper type builds?

[@lockergnome90087]

Steel wheels are cheap which is nice, and look base spec. Good for the sleeper effect.

[@ericthecarguy]

I don't think so. I'm going to try these. If they aren't an issue, they aren't an issue. If they are, I'll figure something out.

[@Clearanceman2]

I think this is the way to go anyway. If you come near the road several months per year, the salt will chew up alloy ones anyway. The only advantage really of alloy is they are stronger. Yes, they are probably a little lighter too.

[@IIGrayfoxII]

+Clearanceman2 Salt wont be an issue if you use a wheel sealant, there is a clear coat of wheels unless it is pure chrome or aluminum. Would assume powder coated wheels have a clear coat

[@Clearanceman2]

Salt is a huge issue in the rust belt. I've done everything I can think of to my wheels and they are destroyed. Even factory alloys get destroyed. They hold up better if painted from the factory, anywhere they are polished they get destroyed almost right away. I have big pits in mine. The rust belt ruins everything.

[@bchant19]

I think you would call it manufacturing tolerances only some really high end forged wheels are going to be absolutely spot on or at least you would hope they'd be. Maybe you should do a little test. Whip a wheel of the mustang you have sitting over there and see if its alloy rims are any rounder than the ford sticker steel wheel that would be interesting.

[@tuxedo94]

that narrow edge over a round curve like that would be very hard to keep straight but would play little factor in handling . I'd be interested to know how round they are on the inside of the wheel where the tire gets its dimension/location .keep up the good work

[@geoepi321975]

check it with a machinist indicator for roundness and put grease on the valve too

[@matthorakova2677]

Asymmetrical directional hurts my brain. But I'm loving the sleeper look!

[@JarrettDaRaiderBoi]

At the shop I work in, we only have two machines with the arms out of five so we just use two bars instead of those arms.

[@gangsta50897]

Hi Eric, never commented on one of your videos before, but I saw that you were putting the centering cone on the shaft before the wheel, then the plastic cone over on the outside, when I balance wheels I always try to put the wheel hub surface dirrecly to the balancing machine face, then the steel cone on the outside and tighten without the plastic cone, I had issues with 3/4 ton gm 8 stud wheel since the hub is kind of out of cirle and the wheel seemed crazy woobly, then tried to mount it hub face on the machine en turned out that was the issue, I always balance my wheels this way since, and no issue, maybe it was because your wheels werent straight hub to machine face, if you get what I mean. Hope that helped! GL with those nice rubbers, I just put the same in 305/35r20 on my 2010 SS, and they stick like crazy!

[@trefod]

You can balance an egg, but it still won't be round. I think the issue with steel wheels is the way they are constructed. The rim is a flat piece bent around the center after all.

[@devon1810]

I have no idea if someone else mentioned this, but steel wheels are pressed and aluminum wheels are machined so inherently aluminum is going to perfectly round where steel will never be perfect.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yea, I think it's just the nature of the wheels. Thanks for your input.

[@workingshlub8861]

good video eric.. its hit and miss with dorman stuff....good to see they stepped up for you.

[@Iwished4]

Satisfying snap when they seat on the bead

[@uggadugga8070]

Perhaps mounting the wheels on the balancer first w/o tires to see how bad they are? Then go to Tire Rack or somewhere that sells quality stuff... just sayin'

[@gregorysmallenginelawnequi7471]

Do you have to put weights on the outside of the tire, can you just put them on the inside ? Hey Eric up until 3 years ago I didn't know how to change my own oil now thanks to you and people like you I just got done rebuilding my wife 1990 Toyota corolla it runs and drives like a dream

[@willtarkington6118]

Just to fill you in a little, at 8:46 that tire isn't balanced at all. For a true balance your weights must not be separated. Jus to explain most balance machines are stupid, what I mean is if they ask for to much weight they wont tell you that they keep asking for more. So if its asking for a small amount like .25 or .5 of an once and its within a 1/4 turn of the original weight placement then alls you need to do is move the original weight farther way by 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Also for the wheels what im seeing isn't too bad, but you always what to play with the wheel mounting on the balancer by losing it and wiggling it back and forth to get it to seat properly on the balance. We use what they call fingers on our balancers to ensure proper seating of wheel. Haweka is the company name I do believe. I work at Kal-Tire in Canada, been doing tires and mechanical for over 4 years here now. Not trying to sound like a know it all, just hoping to help out as you have help me over the years with all your videos. By the way thanks Eric keep them coming lolWill

[@Matt_202]

i can hear an air leak while your using the tyre machine ;) keep up the good work eric!

[@Bobman84]

Hey Eric, why didn't the weights go on the inside? Looks so much cleaner and more enjoyable for the sponge as it cleans the lip :)

[@mrvideomaker123]

Not all wheels are perfectly round... Another thing I wouldn't recommend adding weights to different spots of the wheel. I work at a tire place and that's what we call counter balancing

[@bg147]

I guess I could see the lip of the rim being off, but I wonder if the center.... for lack of a better term, is true. My tire balancing experience goes back to working in a Standard Oil station with a bubble balancer and I never spun the tires to discern roundness.

[@Sammy-fg4py]

As someone else has suggested, perhaps the tire machine is bending them? You could try without a tire, but this is probably long after the fact.

[@sadakotube]

tire mounting starts with lube.. oh yeah... good one eric lol

[@davidmcclelland8090]

Dorman parts were probably off because they were going by Ford specs. lol I took those steelies off my Crown Vic a long time ago. 16" steelies vs 18" aluminum Mustang GT mags not much weight difference and A LOT better all around experience. I know you want the sleeper look, though.

[@robinshoroscope]

Hey man, I love your videos and I want to say that you're 100x the mechanic that I am. You literally seem to know how to do everything and your experience shines through to your work. But this tire video made me cringe. I worked as a tire guy for years before I became a mechanic relatively recently and you did everything the hard way. 1. You need to lube the wheel as well as the tire. If you're trying to slide a lubed bead up an unlubed wheel, the lube is gonna wash off near the top and it often won't seat properly 2. That isn't really a low profile tire. I mean it kinda is but as far as the challenge is concerned it may as well be a normal tire. Just get your tire bar under the drop center and pull the sidewall down. No need for the 2nd arm 3. The bubbling you encountered on the bead when airing it was was just a trapped air pocket from when the bead snapped. Nothing to worry about at all. 4. The fact that your wheels are slightly out of round is totally unacceptable. That will cause NVH more than I think you realized. The worlds most perfect balance won't fix that issue. That wheels should have been returned immediately and without thought. I don't want to sound negative cuz I really really respect you as a mechanic and as a KZbin personality. I've been watching you for years and your "parts of an engine" video revolutioned my understanding of an engine before I went into first year school a few years ago. But you always talk about people correcting you in comments and FINALLY I had a chance to do that so I jumped on it. Thanks again for all the informative videos you post on such a regular basis!

[@MEANlowGREEN]

Steel wheels are rarely perfectly round due to the manufacturing process. Both the Dorman and Ford wheels look to be within spec from what I can tell.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yea, I've come to that same conclusion. Thanks for your input.

[@screamineagle88]

SOME of the problem with the wheels may be in the way they are packaged and shipped. They can get pretty beaten around during shipping. Plus steel wheels these days aren't as hefty as they were 30 years ago. I've bent wheels just trying to get them off of todays cars. I'd be almost will to bet that the smaller, OEM wheels that are on the Fairmont weigh as much (if not more) then those new Crown Vic wheels. But, since we are on the topic of tires and wheels, answer me this. How many valve cores have you shot across the shop trying to put them in (or take them out) of a pressurized tire?

[@ericthecarguy]

I've come to find that the variation in the wheels is normal for steel wheels. Tolerance is .060 for 17" wheels. I don't loose many valve cores and if I do, I have a container of spares in my tool box. It's good to be prepared.

[@screamineagle88]

I can agree with the tolerance issue, but a few of those wheels looked to be a bit farther out then .060 . I mean the tolerances could have just been press pulls. But I'm not there so I can't really say. I don't know too many tire guys who don't have a few spare valve cores handy. I don't know how many times I've done the "hang your head because the core just shot off into oblivion" thing. After awhile you get good at trapping the little buggers...lol.

[@treadicator]

Hey Sir just want to help you out with your balancing process. When you spin the first time and put the weights on, then spin it again, don't add weights in the new location it points to. Instead move the existing weight slightly towards that mark. Any time you see a wheel with weights spread around it that is NOT balanced. I do commercial tires for my job and have run the balance machines for passenger and truck&bus tires and it works the same on both. Personally I refuse to balance my tires unless a problem presents itself then I go to the balance process.

[@floorit3669]

it's normal to bubble because of the lub you applied, and to inflate tyre faster. just remove the valve core. btw valve core not valve stem.

[@TheRealMrCods]

Cant wait for you to show us the test drive :)

[@spacerag]

Love seeing the Fairmont come together. Man, such a bummer about those wheels. It doesn't seem like that should be okay, but since it's not rolling on the rims... it shouldn't be a huge deal... I guess? I still feel like that warpage would be putting unusual stresses on the tires at speed. Have you noticed the roundness or trueness of other wheels you've mounted in the past?

[@markboed]

nice combo.!!black steel wheels plus very nice tires. !! do you chrome centercaps over the bolts?? or.. just plain??

[@jamesbukkaki3501]

The wheels may not be perfectly round for grip and balance purposes when they are touching the floor. I know this is true for wheels on bikes not 100% sure about car wheels but could be the case :)

[@daltonstice9089]

The wheel might be straight. It could be the little lip on the edge that isn't square

[@bneyens]

Wow that tire machine is bad ass! Way nicer that my local Discount Tire

[@ericthecarguy]

It is, and I love it. Link in the description.

[@aussiebloke609]

Sadly, steel rims aren't as rigid as alloy. But they don't look to be all that far out of round, and tyres often have bigger discrepancies. I think they'll work fine.

[@yuribrandi8212]

I envy your tire machine.. I'm the tire machine at my house, luckily we have a tractor that breaks beads like a boss.. then to balance, the old bubble balance..

[@humidozer]

Now to finish the wheels, You need Spinner Hubcaps!

[@SuperSport01]

A perfectly round steel wheel is rare. Especially old 50's 60's 70's 80's steel wheels. I would think they would be better nowadays but apparently not. I suppose its due to steel wheels not being machined as extensively as an aluminum wheel.

[@BobbyB430]

Hello Eric. I imagine your glad not to have TPMS on your wheels. hehehe. I remember when 'vettes had them banded around the center of the wheel and trying to put '40' series Pirelli's on. How many beads have you ripped? hehe.

[@Mertra81]

Do you think it could have been the centering cones of the balancer? Wouldn't the only true way to check for out of roundness be to use a dial indicator?

[@ericthecarguy]

Centering cones are fine. I think it's just normal for steel wheels to be that way.

[@A1Cebling]

Is there any chance that when installing the tires, when the machine strained to get the tire on, that it may have slightly squeezed the rim enough to cause that much of an oval shape? If you had a chance, i'd be curious to see if a similar rim is round before the low profile tire is installed on it and afterwards.

[@CPE45acp]

For steel wheels those are pretty straight. Most wheels have some movement to them.

[@mayeri3083]

On a Toyota sienna, it makes sense that when braking at 50-60mph the car vibrates, can I assume the weights are not aligned properly? Or the rotors or pads are gone?

[@1SirCarlton]

look exactly like cooper rs3-s. not surprised since cooper owns m/t

[@BeingInTheMessiah]

I wonder how round the contact patch of the tire is.

[@nofoxgiven6315]

They have excellent customer service as they new your video was going on youtube more like it. and it was in there best interest to replace them as you have nilly a million subs and climbing if you were an average joe they wouldn't be so quick to replace them this is the real world Eric.

[@TwizztidAngel]

Oh the memories of working at a Kauffman Tire...

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

No it's not an inherent characteristic of steel wheels, it's an inherent characteristic of modern manufacturing. I was shaking my head watching that. How long has man been using "THE WHEEL" ? And we STILL can't get it round !

[@perpetualknight]

I imagine there are hundreds of thousands of cop cars and taxis with not so straight wheels. I wish I had thought to try the "manufacturer's tolerances" excuse when I bent the rim on my squad car all those years ago...

[@ericthecarguy]

I've come to find that this is common with steel wheels. The tolerance for 17" steel wheels is .060.

[@cadenk4381]

Is it possible to paint the weights and then put them on? To disguise or make them blend in

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes, but I'm fine with how they are.

[@cadenk4381]

Cool. You make really good videos. The Fairmont is looking awesome

[@brakedd]

If you were that concerned with wheel weights you'd use bang-on weights on the back and then sticky weights on the inside.

[@o2boutdoors]

Sorry about the wheels; I really like the look of the steelies on Fairmonts. Not sure if I want to use them, as they're quite a bit heavier than good aluminum ones, and I really want to keep the overall and unsprung weight down to a minimum.

[@ericthecarguy]

They're not that heavy. In fact, they may be lighter than the aluminum ones.

[@o2boutdoors]

Is that the Dorman #939-108? Amazon shows that one at 29.9#, where there are several OEM aluminum wheels running around 20#, and you can even get down to 17# using the 99-04 V6, 15x7 wheels. Picked up a OEM steel CVPI wheel from about 2003 once, and it was a boat anchor. If the actual weight is less, I'd love to be corrected, as I do love the looks of the steelies.

[@aussiebloke609]

In my (admittedly somewhat limited) experience, steel is usually heavier - for a given strength. A stamped steel wheel may be lighter, but it's also usually much more flexible than an alloy wheel. To gain the same rigidity (especially when you plan on heavy cornering loads and need to prevent the wheel from flexing), the steel would then be much heavier.

[@Skormzee]

could the roundness of the steelies be comprimsed from the tyre being installed?? those mickey thomson tyres have beefy rubber ring walls dont they??

[@TheMcooper17]

i am running 205/45R17s, had three-a all round but now have michilin on the back. maybe go with a wider tire? my wheels are 17x7

[@emtscythe3782]

I knew when I saw the Dorman box stuff was gunna get interesting. Lol.

[@MrJeffreywhp]

Wonder how the wheels on the Mustang would look

[@agnostos1000]

13:12 Hello there Mr. Intercooler...