Wheel weight fell off!

[SubSlr88]

I was walking thru the garage yesterday and found a stick-on wheel weight where the right rear wheel would be located when parked. I suppose it fell off the inside of the wheel. Probably lucky it didn't drop off while driving or I'd have never know it was missing. If I can't find it's location and superglue it back on, I'll have to run it to the local tire shop to have them run a balance on it. . . dang nab it!

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by SubSlr88

I was walking thru the garage yesterday and found a stick-on wheel weight where the right rear wheel would be located when parked. I suppose it fell off the inside of the wheel. Probably lucky it didn't drop off while driving or I'd have never know it was missing. If I can't find it's location and superglue it back on, I'll have to run it to the local tire shop to have them run a balance on it. . . dang nab it!

If it is a new smart, should run back to the dealer and have them pay for the rebalancing. Those things should not come off the rim. They normally have to be PRYED off.

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by smartHHO

If it is a new smart, should run back to the dealer and have them pay for the rebalancing. Those things should not come off the rim. They normally have to be PRYED off.

Good idea - but - my dealer is about 150 miles round trip. Cheaper and easier to go to a tire shop. You're right about prying them off - you'd normally have to get a screwdriver under them to budge 'em.

[blackbeagle]

I used to work in the car industry so I know a little about tires and wheels. Stickon wheel weights do tend to fall off. They aren't meant to be permanent. All of your tires are probably out of balanced right now by a few ounces each. That just happens with wear.

If I were you, I wouldn't do anything until you feel vibration at high speed. That indicates that your tire(s) are out of balance. It might not be as noticeable in the ear as it would in front. I wouldn't waste the long drive to the dealership unless you feel this vibration.

IF you decide to have your local shop do it, make sure you tell them to do a tape weight balance. That might cost $10 or so. If you don't tell them, they MIGHT do a standard balance and put weights on the outside of your rims and scratch it up .

[SubSlr88]

I thought about that after I wrote it and decided it probably wasn't a good idea. I've only got about 650 miles on the car and seldom leave town to see if it vibrates at a higher speed. I just plan to keep tabs on it and it I feel something down the road, I'll take it in locally. I'm sure they have the ribbon weights available - too many mag wheels around not to have a stock of them.
Thanks!