To my suprise found balancing weights on my alloys?? It's sticks out!!

rocketship_2

I've had my car for a few years now. For the first time today I noticed these balancing weights on my alloy wheels on the outside! I have never seen them before and I know they were not there because I cleaned my alloy wheels around a year ago and do not remember seeing them. The worse thing is you can see them from the outside, like a a good few metres standing away from the car. I have not changed the tyres neither have my balanced my wheels since I purchased my car back early 2013 so I'm really confused! When I first saw them I thought some kids were playing a joke and stuck them on. I tried tugging them off but I could not.

The car went in for a warranty repair last week at the main dealer and they only changed the some sensotrs (lamba sensor) so I don't see why they would balance the wheels. Prior to that in Jan 2015 it went in for an oil change and full vehicle check and battery change at a BMW specialist (Birds Auto). But I don't see why they would balance the wheels unless its part of the service??

Even if the wheels were balanced why are the weights added right on the outside where its obvious to see..It ruins the look of the alloys.

I am trying to attach photos to show you all but it won't allow me as I'm a new member. Is there a way I can show you?

Should they be positioned in an area where everyone can see? Or have some kids played a stupid joke and super glued them on?

rich13348

MSE does not host images you will need to upload it on to another hosting site, Google image hosting, then copy the URL on here.

Also alloy wheels weights are normally stick on ones that go on the inside behind the spokes.

Are you sure it wasn't there before. I would expect that if you had had a weight added to the wheel it would affect the balancing and cause a shudder back up the steering wheel.

forgotmyname

If the wheel is badly balanced the sticking them on the outside maybe essential unless they stick a back of sugars worth to the inner side which may have clearance issues.

Have you noticed a bad vibration whilst driving? If not then that rules out the question of kids sticking them on. Unless the kids around your area know better than a balancing machine?

Go and have them balanced and watch them, the machine will indicate the balance on the inside and outside of the rim.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Maybe there was so much brake dust and general muck on the alloys, after how long between washing? that you just didn't notice the weights till they were cleaned.

In another few months they'll be back to stealth camo mode.

I've seen general purpose knock on weights applied to suitable alloy beads on the outside before, it's not ideal but on some cars the clearances between inside of the wheel and front calipers mean that tyre fitters have to be very cautious where they stick self adhesive weights, it's entirely possible they had no option where to put the weights.

bazster

You've heard of the Enema Bandit? He prowled the cities of the
USA in the 60's and 70's giving women gratuitous enemas. It sounds like you have a similarly public-spirited prowler, creeping around the streets at night balancing wobbly wheels.

LandyAndy

Phantom weight gluers.


Sounds a very dark matter to me.

gilbert_and_sullivan

LandyAndy wrote: »

Phantom weight gluers.


Sounds a very dark matter to me.

Oh no not another alias.
Should have realised.

SilverSaloon

my guess is that someone elses weights have fallen off their wheels

you have driven over them

and they have stuck to your wheels.

:T

m0bov

need pics :D:D

force_ten

if you clean your alloys once a year then i wouldnt bother to much as the wheels must have that much dirt on them you wont see anything

my alloys have not been cleaned for two weeks and as i am off work for the weekend first job is clean the car and polish the alloys

piehole

Have you considered exorcism? You may have an alloyweight-o-geist. Pretty serious stuff.

Mark my words, deal with it now, before you wake up with one leg encased in lead.