Wheel Weights: a Brief Guide

Your car’s wheels have many components. One of these components is the wheel weight. It looks small when compared to parts like the wheel rim, but it plays a critical role in wheel balancing.

The wheel weight helps determine important aspects of your vehicle’s performance, such as fuel economy and ride comfort. Let’s take a look at what wheel weights are, what they do, and the different types.

What Are Wheel Weights?

Wheel weights are small devices that attach to the wheel rims and balance the wheel and tire assemblies. Made of either metallic or composite materials, the weights are carefully manufactured to ensure that they weigh the correct amount.

There are two types of wheel weights: adhesive and clip-on wheel weights. The main differences between these types are the method that attaches them to the wheel and their location.

Adhesive Wheel Weights

Adhesive wheel weights use a powerful glue to attach to the wheel’s surface. They’re generally made of lead or steel, and their material is suited for both aluminum alloy and composite wheels. The glue can have trouble sticking to dirty surfaces, so cleaning the wheel is strongly recommended. It might also lose effectiveness in high temperatures.

The key to applying these types of wheel weights is cleanliness. If the wheel isn’t clean, the weights won’t stick.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Adhesive wheel weights usually attach to the wheel barrel’s inner side, but sometimes they’re placed behind the spokes. Many modern weights are the adhesive type, and you can choose between standard and low-profile wheel weights.

Clip-On Wheel Weights

Clip-on wheel weights clamp to the wheel through the eponymous clip. Also called knock-on wheel weights, they’re often installed on steel wheels. Clip-one wheel weights usually attach to the inner or outer lip of the rim that faces the wheel well.

Older wheel weights often use clips to stay attached to the wheel. Economy car models usually come with clip-on wheel weights.

Some wheels require both types of wheel weights. They need a clip-on wheel weight on the rim’s inner edge of the rim and an adhesive wheel weight near the edge of the wheel’s inside.

What Are Wheel Weights For?

Wheel weights contribute to wheel balancing. They counterbalance irregularities in the tire-wheel assembly, ensuring the wheels spin in a smooth and even way.

When it comes off the production line, a wheel and tire assembly is usually unbalanced. There are many reasons for this, such as slight flaws in the wheel, additional parts disrupting the balance, and an imperfectly balanced tire. Before you can drive the vehicle safely, the wheel and tire assemblies must be balanced.

Wheel balancing is a process that finds the points in the assemblies that have more weight than they should. Static wheel balancing works with wheels that aren’t moving, while the more commonly used dynamic wheel balancing checks moving wheels.

After identifying the imbalances, wheel balancing adds wheel weights to the wheel. The wheel weights are mounted on the opposite side of the imbalance.

Wheel balancing usually tries to keep the balance within a certain margin. It’s difficult to reach 100% balance, but as long as the wheel and tire assembly stays within the recommended range, it will enjoy the benefits of balancing.

Here are the benefits of using wheel weights:

Balanced Weight

Wheel weights adjust the distribution of weight throughout the wheel. They help the tire-wheel assembly spin in a balanced way.

Balanced wheels generate less vibrations. They make the ride more pleasant and help the vehicle perform better on the road. Thus, wheel weights can improve your driving experience by balancing the wheels.

Stability

Wheel weights help make the wheels more stable and prevent wobbling. They also improve traction, especially at higher speeds.

A vehicle with balanced wheels handles and maneuvers better. It’s less prone to accidents, making it safer on the road.

Advantages of Clip-On Wheel Weights

Clip-on wheel weights have several benefits in their favor. First, they’re easy to remove and install, reducing the chances of damaging the wheels.

Second, clip-on wheel weights offer plenty of sizes, weights, and profiles for you to choose from. You have many options available, although not all of them will fit your car’s wheels.

Third, clip-on wheel weights can securely attach to wheels with a ceramic coating or glossy finish. Unlike adhesive wheel weights, clip-on weights can get a good grip on the slippery surface of these coated wheels.

Companies often offer clip-on wheel weights for wheels produced by specific carmakers. Alternatively, it’s possible to determine the most suitable clip-on weight by examining the profile of the wheel rim’s lip and choosing a part with a compatible clamp. Experienced technicians can tell what clip-on wheel weight to attach to the wheel after taking a quick look at the rim’s edge.

Advantages of Adhesive Wheel Weights

Adhesive wheel weights also have some pros. For one thing, they’re usually smaller than clip-on weights, making them easier to conceal. Some people don’t like the looks of wheel weights and want to hide them.

Adhesive wheel weights are also universal-fit parts. They can attach to any vehicle model, but their adhesive material must stick to the wheel’s surface.

Wheel Weight Installation Tips

The installation process for a clip-on wheel weight differs from that of an adhesive wheel weight. Knowing the differences can help you when you have to replace wheel weights of one type with another.

Clip-On Wheel Weight Installation

Installing a clip-on wheel weight is easy. Clamp it to the lip of the wheel rim. Next, use a hammer to tap the wheel weight’s central section several times. The tapping crushes the weight’s center, ensuring that the part tightly clamps to the wheel.

Adhesive Wheel Weight Installation

Start by removing dirt, oil, and other contaminants from the wheel’s surface. These substances can interfere with the adhesive’s ability to stick to the wheel rim.

After you clean the wheel, attach the adhesive wheel weight. Make sure that the adhesive pad sticks to the surface of the wheel.

If you expect high temperatures that might degrade the effectiveness of the adhesive, apply a strip of metallic tape over the wheel weight to help keep it attached to the wheel.

Wheel weights aren’t the biggest or most glamorous parts, but they’re necessary for a comfortable and safe drive. Whether you choose adhesive wheel weights or clip-on wheel weights, they’ll do the job of balancing your vehicle’s wheel and tire assemblies.

Get High-Grade Wheels At Affordable Prices

Sometimes, installing wheel weights isn’t enough to rebalance the wheel. You have to get a new part, and you often need to replace the other wheels. It’s a good thing you can find competitively priced replacement wheels at CarParts.com.

Here at CarParts.com, we offer a wide selection of wheels for various makes and models. We use advanced production techniques to reduce their cost. We don’t skimp on quality, either, as our products are exclusively sourced from brands trusted by many drivers across the US. Rest assured that you’ll get the most bang for your buck on our wheels. Finding a component that will fit your car or truck like a stock part is as easy as entering the details on our website’s integrated vehicle selector. Browse the results for the wheel that meets your requirements and fits your budget.

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