Wheel Balance - Hunter System

[bpossel]

Thanks to Mike Salemi  my tires are now (finally) perfectly balanced!

Mike did a lot of research and wrote an article for the “Star” last year on the latest in tire balancing technology and the advantages of the Hunter system.

The Hunter system measures & corrects road/radial force, balance and run-out.

Maybe Mike can jump in and explain further…?

The bottom line is that I have had my tires replaced, balanced, aligned, etc… over the years, and always still had that slight shake on the highway when I hit the magical speed of around 60mph…  I would notice the passenger seat slightly shaking at that speed and just thought …  “it’s part of an older car…”.

Well, I finally got around to checking my local tire shops and located a shop (Gateway) that had one of these newer Hunter systems.  Turns out the manager is also a new local MBCA club member.  This helped because he let me drive the car into his shop and let me watch the process.

The bottom line, it works!  When I drove off I could immediately feel a difference.  When I took her on the highway and got up to speed, the car was very smooth!  It’s really hard to define the new feel.  Almost scary at the higher speeds….  With no more shake, shimmy, it doesn’t feel like 80+mphs anymore…

Thanks Mike! 
Bob

[mdsalemi]

Thanks for the kind words, Bob.  My only wish is that this system existed in 1979; at that time, my new BMW 320i (and all others like it) were plagued with a shimmy that defied correction.  It was  the "perfect storm" of inadequate tire balance and suspension geometry with the Conti TS771 tires and the car.  All kinds of crazy fixes were developed and sold, none really worked.  BMW always claimed it was tire balance, though the technology didn't exist to really correct it then.  It wasn't a real bad shimmy but enough that most 320i owners noticed particularly those with sensitive feel.

But that was then.  I've provided the link before and here it is again:

http://www.mbca.org/pages/star/articles/TheStar_0508.pdf

The article provides links to the Hunter Website where you can find the nearest unit so you can have your tires balanced properly.

I'm happy, Bob, that you were able to follow the process, too.  I found it pretty interesting which is why I wrote the article in the first place!

[Shvegel]

When I taught mechanics for BMW our suspension class included instruction on the Hunter machine.  once the tires are balanced the tire is spun slowly and a roller is pushed hard against the tire. This simulates the force of the road and the machine measures the amount of natural pull the tire has in one direction or the other. After measuring all  4 tires the machine will tell you where to place each tire on the car for the best handling possible.

One of the nice things about my "Emeritus" status i that I still have access to the balancer and mounting equipment if I need it.

[DavidBrough]

Well, I've just got back from having all four wheels balanced on the Hunter system and I have to say that this ranks as the best £40 I've ever spent. The car is transformed, no more small annoying vibrations and rattles just smooth total silence. It's brilliant, everyone should get it done.

[jameshoward]

Hi David,

Where did you get the work done? Was it in SE or SW?

JH

[DavidBrough]

Hi James,

I had mine done in Northampton but there are a few centres throughout the Country have a look here.
http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

[hauser]

Had to replace two Michelin Pax tires on the Odyssey and there were balanced with the Hunter.  Quite a few of the various dealerships in town have switched to the Hunter.