wobbly wheel question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jocko** · 02-07-2012, 12:47 AM

So, I finally found some 71+ 6 lug K10 wheels - ordered em and they arrived today. When I lay them face down on a flat surface, they're not exactly lying "flat" - a little wobbly for my taste. Kinda hard to explain. I compared some pretty nice rally wheels and there is NO wobble at all when I lay them on a flat surface. It would appear the face is slightly bent and/or the rear face of the the rim is just a little bent, depending on the particular wheel I'm looking at. This is for a long term project, but don't want to waste money on powder coat if they would never be able to be balanced, etc.

Any thoughts? Am I being overly concerned about this? In the grand scheme, I'm not sure it matters, they'll easily accept the tires and as long as the hub and or wheel aren't MAJOR out of whack (which these aren't) - I think it's just a matter of getting them balanced.

But wanted to pick your brains on this - thoughts? On the worst one, when I say a little "wobble", I'm really only seeing MAYBE 1/8" of air gap in the wobbly spot on the flat surface - it very much appears to just be the rough, or shall I say "well worn" thin surface of the rim that lies in contact with the flat surface when you lay it face down - if that makes ANY sense at all...

Thanks.

geezer#99 · 02-07-2012, 01:00 AM

Take it to a tire store and have them check it for run out on a balancer. Best 10 bucks you could spend.

**jocko** · 02-07-2012, 01:01 AM

good call - thanks geezer, that's exactly what I need to do!

markeb01 · 02-07-2012, 02:37 AM

An easy check at home I’ve done dozens of times is to jack up the front end, place stands under the truck and pull a front wheel. Mount a questionable wheel on the front hub, and torque all of the lug nuts to spec. Position a jack stand near it with a long screwdriver clamped to the top of the stand. Position the tip of the screwdriver against the inside of the bead seat where the tire will mount and rotate the wheel by hand. It will tell you right away if they are out of round, bent, or have flat spots. It’s also an easy reference to identify how straight the outside flanges are as well. It isn’t dial indicator accurate, but the process is completely free and will tell you right away if the rim is usable.

*blackedoutharley* · 02-07-2012, 02:47 AM

Save the 10 bucks and do what he ^^^^^ said first.

02-07-2012, 12:47 AM	#1
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,945	wobbly wheel question... So, I finally found some 71+ 6 lug K10 wheels - ordered em and they arrived today. When I lay them face down on a flat surface, they're not exactly lying "flat" - a little wobbly for my taste. Kinda hard to explain. I compared some pretty nice rally wheels and there is NO wobble at all when I lay them on a flat surface. It would appear the face is slightly bent and/or the rear face of the the rim is just a little bent, depending on the particular wheel I'm looking at. This is for a long term project, but don't want to waste money on powder coat if they would never be able to be balanced, etc. Any thoughts? Am I being overly concerned about this? In the grand scheme, I'm not sure it matters, they'll easily accept the tires and as long as the hub and or wheel aren't MAJOR out of whack (which these aren't) - I think it's just a matter of getting them balanced. But wanted to pick your brains on this - thoughts? On the worst one, when I say a little "wobble", I'm really only seeing MAYBE 1/8" of air gap in the wobbly spot on the flat surface - it very much appears to just be the rough, or shall I say "well worn" thin surface of the rim that lies in contact with the flat surface when you lay it face down - if that makes ANY sense at all... Thanks. Last edited by jocko; 02-07-2012 at 12:54 AM.

02-07-2012, 01:00 AM	#2
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,542	Re: wobbly wheel question... Take it to a tire store and have them check it for run out on a balancer. Best 10 bucks you could spend.

02-07-2012, 01:01 AM	#3
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,945	Re: wobbly wheel question... good call - thanks geezer, that's exactly what I need to do!

02-07-2012, 02:37 AM	#4
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: wobbly wheel question... An easy check at home I’ve done dozens of times is to jack up the front end, place stands under the truck and pull a front wheel. Mount a questionable wheel on the front hub, and torque all of the lug nuts to spec. Position a jack stand near it with a long screwdriver clamped to the top of the stand. Position the tip of the screwdriver against the inside of the bead seat where the tire will mount and rotate the wheel by hand. It will tell you right away if they are out of round, bent, or have flat spots. It’s also an easy reference to identify how straight the outside flanges are as well. It isn’t dial indicator accurate, but the process is completely free and will tell you right away if the rim is usable.

02-07-2012, 02:47 AM	#5
blackedoutharley Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plumas Lake, Ca. Posts: 1,009	Re: wobbly wheel question... Save the 10 bucks and do what he ^^^^^ said first.



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