BALANCE YOUR AIRCRAFT WHEELS! (the RIGHT WAY with McFarlane's Wheel Balancing Tool)

[@flysport_tedder]

I didn't know it was so rare! I balance mine. I used a basic "motorcycle wheel balancer", though its cones wouldn't go large enough for my axle, so I 3D printed some cones. (my mechanic's balancer was the same, not fitting the large diameter axle)

[@MauriceColontonio]

Hey Jeff! Quick tip we use on road race cars where we deal with a lot of heat and lateral G's. Put a strip of aluminum high temp hvac tape over your weights once installed. They will never fall off.

[@SocialFlight]

@@MauriceColontonio Great idea! I’m also looking into weight pads for inside the tires, but they’re very hard to find and expensive when you find them (unless someone has a better source).

[@txkflier]

If one weight is too much, you can take two weights and place them the same distance on either side of where the weight is needed. Move them closer or further away until the cable is centered in the hole as you lower the tube and increase the sensitivity. You should also try to put about the same amount of weight on both sides of the wheel so that you don't create a heavy spot on one side of the wheel. That could cause the wheel to want to wobble as it rolls. Of course, without a dynamic wheel balancer, you won't know if the tire already has a heavy spot on one side. Putting all of the weight on one side could make it worse or somewhat cancel it. However, the weight is pretty close to the center of the wheel.

[@venutoa]

excellent video! thanks!

[@CanardBoulevard]

This is great for static balance, but it does nothing for dynamic balance, or to offset lateral imbalances in the tire. That's why many of us experimental owners use ceramic balancing beads, a proven technology that has been used in trucks, motorcycles, trailers and more for decades. Even better, the beads keep the wheel in perfect balance over time, even if the tire wears abnormally (think flat spot from landing with brakes on).

[@robsteal3887]

It's funny, but the last several tires we balanced, after needing a lot of weight, we swapped the red dot to the opposite side of the stem and the tires were easier to balance, some needing no weight, go figure.