Just got a set of virgos... the garage is telling me of "static" vs "dynamic balancing". He insists that they might need to put weights on the outside of the wheels as well as the inside.

Is this true? Never heard of this. Thought I had a choice.

Greg

The answer is yes, but not only on the inside bead. The static imbalance (light point around the circle) is corrected with tape-on weights behind the wheel's web and the dynamic imbalance (lighter at a point one bead than the point of the other bead directly across from it) is corrected with tape-on or clip-on weights at the inside bead.

By "lying" to the dynamic balance machine and telling it that full width is the distance from the center to the inside bead, the machine can calculate the right weights and locations.

Weights placed only on one bead, no matter whether spun or bubble balanced, are only static balanced.

Greg,
You need to find a good tire shop. There are lots of skilled people out there, and lots of unskilled.
The first Volvo I had with Virgos needed tires, so I go to a big shop in town, and as they are about to start dismounting tires I mention to the manager "Your guys know that the drop center is towards the inside of the wheel, right?" And he says " If any of my guys can't see that picking up the wheel, I'll fire him right in front of you."
That's a shop you can trust.
I don't like rim clamp machines - I prefer the center mount ones. Rim clamps can hold a Virgo with little damage, but once again it is a matter of skill.
Center mount is the way to go.
Stick on weights work very well with the Virgo, and teflon coated rim weights are fine too.

I have a stupid question. What's the drop center?
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

The drop center is a term used to describe the reduced diameter area within the rim of the wheel, where the bead is placed to allow its opposite side to be drawn over the outer edge of the wheel. Old split rim wheels don't need a dropped or "drop" center as a result. On most wheels the drop center is nearer the outer edge of the rim, but on the Virgos it is nearer the inner edge, requiring the outer surface of the wheel to be face down on the tire machine.

Thanks Rhys,

It's done now, unfortunately I don't have much time. They were installed at C.Tire along with the new tires... At least the weights are painted silver and really not that visible... I'm definately not using these wheels in bad weather and keeping them clean so corosion is minimal... I guess they will eventually leave marks on the wheels.. at least the tires are new and will last a long time.

Thanks! Looks nice!

Greg

Wow! your brave letting C. tire work on Virgos. I would not let them change my oil. I don't think they sell an oil filter that isn't a Fram in disguise. There are some clip on weights that will cause a problem. They have longer tabs and a barb. They go too far under the tire bead and cause a leak (I learned this the hard way). Even worse the barb scratches the tire bead and can cause the rim to leak even after the weight is off (I learned this the hard way too). There clip ons that work just fine. I keep a sample of both (good and bad) in my ashtray to make sure the tire shop has the right kind.

Jessie's got a good point- the Virgos don't fit "normally" on many Coats tire machines (and other rim-clamp machines). They have to be mounted from the back side, and clamped from the front- this can chew up the inside of the rim, out front where you can see it!! A good tire shop should have plastic glides or a different machine that deals with wheels like these without damage.

Just be aware of the condition of your wheels when they go in there- and make the service tech or manager aware of the potential problems with mounting these wheels on their machine.

Also, the first time they are mounted to the car, the locating pins on the brake rotors (the little extended bolt) may need to be removed or replaced with a standard M6 hex head bolt. One of my sets of Virgos does not have adequate clearance on the backside to mount on the car without removing the bolts.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

Although I have yet to hear of ANY tire shop offering this, for obvious reasons, truckers have been using IMI's Equal 'til the tires wear out with no problems whatsoever.

-- Kane ... who's next set of tires will use it.
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Just make sure the shop you are dealing with knows how to mount tires on reverse rims. I had an idiot rip the bead off one of my tires trying to mount it the regular way. Mine have stick on and clipped on weights. I've had no real problems with either, but I have had stick ons fall off (I don't think the mechanic cleaned up the rim enough when he stuck it on.

I saw a tip on 2 Guy's Garage about the stick-on weights. Since water degrades the adhesive, they suggest coating the weights with a little silicone sealer - it will protect the weights, yet pull right off when you need to change tires again.
--
Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

Any good tire shop will have a balancer that can put weights on just the inside. it is still dynamic because it is balanced while spinning, but it makes an adjustment to the weight being on only one edge of the wheel. Works good, just not as good as both sides.

Hey Greg,

Yes they can and will have to put weights on both sides of the wheels. However, insist on tape-on weights as the crimp-on weights will cause corrosion an ultimately get pinched off the rims the first hard corner you take.

BTW - Did you get the chance to call up or head over to G&L Wreckers??? I'm wondering if they have anything worth checking out as I am up in Ottawa this weekend.

Thanks,

Richard

87 245 DL 351,000 km
82 242 GLT 121,000 km

http://members.cardomain.com/richink

Thanks for the info Richard.

Yes, I called them, he said they have nothing now, and when he has they are gone very quickly...

I'm still looking for my B234F lower left timing cover. Nowhere used. Surprising, you would think these engines went from interferance head damage and scrapped for parts. Even new from Volvo suppliers (not dealers) asking more than the dealer... dealer wants 120$ canadian. maybe glue...

ciao,
Greg Mustang
Ottawa-Montreal
Canada
greg_mustang@hotmail.com

If you are looking for a B234F lower left timing cover I would suggest calling 501-849-2484. This is the number to Vilonia Volvo Salvage in Naylor, Arkansas. they have over 200 salvaged volvos. I know for a fact he has a few B234 still in the cars out there. The shipping would be very reasonable for a piece like that. I'm sure he will be ALOT cheaper than 120 Canadian!!!! For the wheel weights, you should always have the stick on weights put on the inside. I had 17" Giovanni wheels on my Prelude and I remember a guy telling me if someone ever puts weights on the lip of the rim, kick their a$$. THis due these being $300 a piece rims with chrome lips. I never thought someone would be dumb enough to put on a lip weight on these weights but ALWAYS made sure to tell the tire shops to put stick on weights after that advice. By the way, tire guys are usually not Phi Beta Kappa's.

post back on if Vilonia Volvo has a timing cover. I will be very suprised if he doesn't.