Folks,

I have a question about tire rotation.
I did my 7500 mile service today and I saw that the mechanic at the nissan dealership took off the tires and swapped them.
But, I never saw anything special done for wheel balancing.

I was always under the impression that tire rotation ( or new tires installation ) should always be followed by balancing.

Was the mechanic sloppy ?
Should I go elsewhere for the balancing alone ?

Did any of you guys that had this service done, see anything specific to balancing ?

Thanks in advance !

 

if your car doesn't bounce or say steering wheel doesn't vibrate at highway speeds, then the tires are balanced. There's no need to have it balanced. On the other hand, if you are getting charged for balancing, and non is done, then you should compain. If the tire is balanced correctly originally, then there shouldn't be a problem unless you flat spot your tires a lot or damage them in some other way. If the car doesn't shake on higher speeds, then don't worry about balancing.

 

IF you go to the dealer for the 7500 miles service they will NOT rotate your tires only if you pay another 40 bucks(10 dollars per tire) to rotate all four tires. You really don't have too but I always wanted to balance the tires after you change something about them. I think Sears Auto center would even do it for less (5-7 dollars a tire).
BTW "I saw that the mechanic at the nissan dealership took off the tires and swapped them." did he take the TIRES or the WHEELS and swap them, cuz if he took and rotated only the tires without the rim that is dumb and i am pretty sure he swapped the wheels(rims and tires) cuz if he only swapped the tires then i am pretty sure you'd need balance check.Sorry for the long post.....

 

Ya - u are correct -- he did take off my wheels - not just the tire.

So, if I understand u correctly, u necessarily need a balance job if the tires only are changed ( like if I put in a new tire on my current rim )
U do not need to balance if the wheels are swapped and u see no difference in the ride and handling ...

right ?

Or should I head to Sears ???

 

When i get my wheels rotated at the nissan dealer they balance the tires going onto the front of the car. the wheels going onto the back are left alone. I guess you can feel more vibration in the front end then the back.

 

yeah that's right

 

Young 1976, is correct. If it isn't broke don't fix it.
I rotate my tires my self (the 1%ers at the tire places scare me)so I can inspect them and insure no damage is done to the car or wheels. Plus they don't get over torqued by impact wrentches. I bought a "star" lug wrench for that very reason. A nissan idiot had the lugs on so tight the stock lug wrench was useless.

Only balance when buying new tires or there is some vibration in the steering wheel.