Bracket Talk
Balancing rear slicks ?
April 16, 2023, 10:47 PM
jjjBalancing rear slicks ?
After sticking weight on the rim, what are you using to put over weights for extra hold down to the rim ???? Thanks jjj
April 16, 2023, 11:24 PM
"The Bender"I've always used duct tape, just force of habit. I would think you'd be fine with nothing as long as the wheel was cleaned well before the weights were stuck on.
272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'
2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ
2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2
2020 Retired From T/D Competition....
2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner
2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
April 17, 2023, 05:37 AM
SP 124XI use ISC gaffers tape. Clean the wheel one or two strips down before the weights then the same to cover them. No more dealing with the double sided foam tape mess.
Denis LeBlanc
April 17, 2023, 07:32 AM
BD104XI stopped using tape a long time ago. When I am mounting tires, I use scotch-brite & brake cleaner to clean the backs of the wheels really well and use good quality stick on wheel weights.
Billy Duhs - BD104X@gmail.com
April 17, 2023, 07:44 AM
Big SteveI use foil tape over gorilla tape. Might be overkill but I had duct tape catch fire once from the heat of the brakes
April 17, 2023, 08:30 AM
442OLDSSpeaking of balancing slicks,I saw a post on Facebook where many said they don't balance their slicks.
Are they really serious?
April 17, 2023, 09:33 AM
Wild Wild West 2I've always thought there was a rule (IHRA/NHRA) that said stick-on weights are to be used for balancing and then must be covered with duct tape to prevent the weights from slinging off at speed.
As for me, I always clean the wheel very good before applying the stick-on weights. Then I do cover them with duct tape.
April 17, 2023, 09:36 AM
TORQINHas to be a reason the tire guys use tape...even on front dragster wheels?
My son hasn't balanced rear tires on last 3 sets...says he can't tell either way...I keep balancing mine.
April 17, 2023, 09:40 AM
1320racerThere is definitely a difference, you can even hear let alone feel it in the burnout with a door car.
April 17, 2023, 10:34 AM
markemarkAfter washing, I clean inside of wheel where weights need to go with lighter fluid. Apply weights and tap down with plastic hammer. I purchase the least expensive from Ebay and never had them come off. Always need to use a plastic tool to remove them. Don’t see the need for tape and never used it.
April 17, 2023, 11:56 AM
BD104XProbably has a lot to do with the wheel... if the wheel has a flat surface that is parallel to the ground it's probably not an issue but if its a narrower wheel and the weights are on a surface that is slanted, then I would guess there is a better chance they sling off at speed.
Billy Duhs - BD104X@gmail.com
April 17, 2023, 11:59 AM
WHOMPWHOMPPut gorilla tape on first then weights then more gorilla tape……Way less mess on wheels this way
April 17, 2023, 03:38 PM
M120quote:
Originally posted by TORQIN:
Has to be a reason the tire guys use tape...even on front dragster wheels?
My son hasn't balanced rear tires on last 3 sets...says he can't tell either way...I keep balancing mine.
I've heard(hearsay, opinion) that you accelerate through an imbalance situation that it's not an issue Drag racing.
I've done nothing, bubble balanced and spin balanced. In my case, never an issue with any.
I like the tip by SP 124X. The glue/foam is a ***** to clean up.
April 17, 2023, 05:07 PM
topd1332i dont balance mine
April 17, 2023, 10:13 PM
jjjThank you very much everyone for the info !
jjj
April 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
AlaskaracerHarbor Freight bubble balancer, Harbor Freight steel wheel weights, 3M VHB tape...never lost a weight....and smooth as glass going down the track...
When it's time to rebalance, I remove the weights, soak them in brake clean to get the old tape off, apply new tape, and reuse......buy them once and don't have to worry about them again.
Mark Goulette
Owner/Driver of the Livin' The Dream Racing dragster
www.livinthedreamracing.com"Speed kills but it's better than going slow!"
Authorized Amsoil Retailer
April 18, 2023, 05:23 AM
Buckyquote:
Originally posted by Coloradoracer:
Harbor Freight bubble balancer, Harbor Freight steel wheel weights, 3M VHB tape...never lost a weight....and smooth as glass going down the track...
When it's time to rebalance, I remove the weights, soak them in brake clean to get the old tape off, apply new tape, and reuse......buy them once and don't have to worry about them again.
I have used the foil tape in the past, but may try the vhb. I have lost weights.....but during some severe tire shake.
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
April 18, 2023, 05:49 AM
183NHad a rear set out of balance once, felt strange in the burnout but I didn’t put my finger on it right away. By about 330’ I figured out what was up.
April 18, 2023, 07:30 AM
Larry WoodfinThe above post about "I don't balance my tires." caused me to raise an eyebrow. Consider the diameter of our drag race tires, consider the potential forces of several ounces of imbalance, consider the diameter of a crankshaft, do you balance the engine rotating assembly?
Larry Woodfin
