The Importance of Balancing
your Model Car Wheels

Introduction

   The day I passed my driving test at the age of 17, the first thing I did was to take my girlfriends out for a drive on a long straight stretch of road close by. The road was relatively quiet that day and as I slowly went through the gears, we were soon up to 65 with no problems. As we approached 70, things changed and my hands began to sense a small vibration on the steering wheel. By the time we hit 75, the steering wheel and the whole car was vibrating wildly. My girlfriend was hysterical, screaming "slow down!", which I did of course and the vibration stopped.

   Back home I told my dad what had happened. He then reminded me that just the week before we had put on a new set of front tires and suggested the wheels were probably out of balance. Sure enough, after the wheels were re-balanced, the car was steady as a rock and drove perfectly, even at speeds aproaching 90.

Lesson Learned

   As I got more into RC, that memory returned and I realised to be more competitive I would have to balance all the wheels of my Touring Car model.

How I Balanced my Model Car Wheels

   Wheel balancing equipment for RC cars is now available on line and from most RC model shops, but back then I had to make my own using the rear end of an old Tamiya F1 car.

   With the insert fitted and the tire mounted and glued, the wheel was then bolted onto my home made balancer and while holding the balancer tightly, I spun the wheel vigorously. Invariably it would vibrate to some degree.

   To balance the wheel, I would next allow it to settle, then turn the wheel through 90 degrees and again allow it to settle. Obviously the heavy side of the wheel would drop to the bottom due to gravity.

Adding Weights

   Once satisfied I made a mark on the rim with a felt tip pen at the top of the wheel where it came to rest. Removing the wheel, a small amount of plastic resin was then pressed into a recess on the inside of the wheel, on the side where I made the mark. The whole process was then repeated until I was totally satisfied. The final vigorous spin was always virtually vibration free.

The Final Verdict

   I was amazed just how out of balance some of those wheels were and how much a small thing like that can make a big difference on the track.

   At present, the RC Model Manufacturers, Brands and Distributors covered by us are: ABC Hobby, Academy, Acme Racing, Agama Racing, Amewi, Ansmann Racing, ARRMA, Team Associated, Atomic RC, Axial, AYK, Bolink, BSD Racing, Capricorn, Carisma, Carson, Caster Racing, Cen, Corally, Custom Works, Durango, Duratrax, ECX - Electrix, Exceed RC, FG Modellsport, FS-Racing, FTX, Fujimi, Gmade, GS-Racing, Harm, HBX, Helion, Heng Long, Himoto Racing, Hirobo, Hitari, Hobao, Hong-Nor, Hot Bodies, HPI, HSP, Intech, Integy, Jamara, JQ Products, Kawada, Kyosho, Losi, LRP, Maisto, Mardave, Marui, Maverick, MCD Racing, Megatech, Mugen, New Bright, Nichimo, Nikko, Nkok, Ofna, Pro-Pulse, Protech, PTI, RC4WD, Redcat Racing, RJ-Speed, Robitronic, Schumacher, Seben, Serpent, Smartech, Sportwerks, Step-Up, Tamiya, Team-C Racing, Team Magic, Thunder Tiger, Tomy, Top Racing, Traxxas, Trinity, Tyco, Vaterra RC, Venom, VRX Racing, WLToys, X-Factory, Xmods, Xpress, Xray, XTM, Yankee RC, Yokomo, ZD Racing and Zipzaps.

   This is an ongoing project, with new and "lost in time" RC Models and Brands being added as they are found and although most of those listed above have been covered in relative detail, some are still being researched and will be completed in the near future.