Wheel weights - stick on v. clamp on

1410 Views 32 Replies 23 Participants Last post by fitboyawesome, 6 mo ago

INTLgunMonkey

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

I bought a new set of American Racing wheels from my local tire shop, along with new tires that they mounted and balanced, a couple months back. Within a week or two, I found a strip of stick-on weights laying on the shop floor near one of the wheels. I took that wheel in and had them rebalance it. Dude put a couple stick-ons and a single clamp-on on it.

It stuck in the back of my head that I may have lost other ones but wouldn’t even know it since the wheels are new and there wouldn’t be any indication if the weight came off clean.

I just had the rear wheels off for a couple weeks while I was rebuilding the rear end, and just happened to notice a strip of weights laying where I had one of the wheels during that time.

What gives? Should I ask them to just use clamp-ons? I’d prefer sticks-ons, but I also want them to stay put. Should I just take them somewhere else and hope they know how to get them to stay stuck?

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Stev-o

· #2 · 6 mo ago

I've never had an issue with stick-ons, just had some installed today [for my non-Mustang]

There must be some type of residue on your wheels or they are using weights with defective adhesive.

I'd clean the wheels with acetone and bring them back, they should honor their work.

awhtx

· #3 · 6 mo ago

I have seen duct tape applied over the stick-on weights. The wheel must be extremely clean for any adhesive to stick to it.

Reactions: 1

teal95

· #4 · 6 mo ago

On the race cars we put foil tape over the stick on weights.

Reactions: 4

Kjsmitty

· #5 · 6 mo ago

Definitely an application issue,
I too can attest that if the wheel was cleaned I have “never” had a stick-on weight come off between 5000+ mile rotation intervals. Ironically, I’ve had the clamp-on style fly off due to them “re-using“ them..

As with many items in life.. If used and applied appropriately, it will function as designed.. 👍

kechke

· #6 · 6 mo ago

Lazy technician , I use the term loosely, cannot be bothered to clean the rim properly.

Reactions: 1

Nailbender

· #7 · 6 mo ago

Last time I had new tires mounted at Tire Rack on the old work truck F150 with steel rims they used tape on weights! and they stuck!

Automotive tire Automotive lighting Tire Tread Automotive design

I have tires mounted and or flipped on the wheels of the Mustang multiple times a season. I always remove all the old weights and have the wheel surface spotlessly clean using brake clean before I show up at the shop.

As mentioned, lazy prep by the tire jockey!

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Reactions: 1

Redneckgearhead

· #8 · 6 mo ago

Skip the weights and run dyna beads. No more weights to lose.

Reactions: 1

myke b.

· #9 · 6 mo ago

I just had new tires installed on my rims. They used stick on weights. I think in some states you can't even use lead anymore.

stroker393

· #10 · 6 mo ago

All my stick on weights fell off this year, every occurrence was when I backed out of the shop and then found them post drive. I believe that the mags required proper cleaning before application.
Local shop is redoing them over winter gratis.

66coupe289

· #11 · 6 mo ago

Redneckgearhead said:
Skip the weights and run dyna beads. No more weights to lose.

I have never tried them, but reviews seem to make effectiveness questionable.

Hemikiller

· #12 · 6 mo ago

Adhesive weights are fine if they are applied properly to a clean surface. It also helps to use a roller on them to ensure complete adhesion.

myfirstcar66

· #13 · 6 mo ago

I ask for tap on weights, and put them on the inside rather than the outside.

gt350sr

· #14 · 6 mo ago

Either work fine provided they are installed properly. Tape weights must be pressed firmly on thoroughly cleaned wheels. Rim clamp weights must be matched to the lip of the wheel. There are several different shapes of flanges on wheels, so different weights to match. Then you've also got plain weights for steel, and coated weights for clear coated wheels. It's a science of sorts, so the wheel guy needs to be competent- therein usually is the problem if you're loosing weights.....

Reactions: 1

66coupe289

· #15 · 6 mo ago

There was a thread on this awhile ago where I told my experience at Costco. They do not clean wheels before applying weights. In fact they are not allowed to have cleaners in the shop. After a failed install of weights, I cleaned my wheels my self and took them back for re-balancing. I then put duct tape of the weights as a second measure.

ArizonaGT

· #16 · 6 mo ago

teal95 said:
On the race cars we put foil tape over the stick on weights.

That^
Edit: and prep the surface first with 90% alcohol. Gotta be super clean.

Reactions: 1

Woodchuck

· #17 · 6 mo ago

I never got back a wheel to rebalance that I did with adhesive weights. They keys are a clean, properly prepared surface and a quality weight. As for "clip on" weights, if you're using them on aluminum or aluminum alloy wheels, make sure the weight is properly coated or the galvanic corrosion will result in bead leaks.

Reactions: 3

ArizonaGT

· #18 · 6 mo ago

Redneckgearhead said:
Skip the weights and run dyna beads. No more weights to lose.

I had to look that up; interesting. My daily driver (4x4) will need tires relatively soon, I might give that^ a shot

Redneckgearhead

· #19 · 6 mo ago

66coupe289 said:
I have never tried them, but reviews seem to make effectiveness questionable.

They have ran them in large tires for years. My dad was a diesel mechanic and told me about it years ago when I was trying to get some large tires to balance on my lifted truck. I run them in my motorcycles and it made a HUGE difference the first time I used them. Had a V Rod and would get bad wobbles at around 90, with the beads I could easily hit 120+.

Redneckgearhead

· #20 · 6 mo ago

ArizonaGT said:
I had to look that up; interesting. My daily driver (4x4) will need tires relatively soon, I might give that^ a shot

They work great.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

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