Is there a specific name for a tire balancing system where a roller presses against the tire to mimic rolling on a roadway to check for balance? I remember watching it on TV a while ago and forgot what it was called.

 

Thanks!

RC!

I haven't seen what you are refering to.

 

Typical tire balancing machines (spin balancers) simply rotate the tire on an instrumented shaft. Load cells determine the location and amount of imbalance. This is most commonly performed in two planes.

 

The older static machines just balanced the tire in one plane like you would balance a lawn mower blade.

 

There are tire uniformity machines that are much more sophisticated and can determine tire conicity as well as lateral and radial force variations. You won't see these at your neighborhood tire store. They do use a rotating drum to load the tire during the test.

Hunter GSP9700.

 

check it out:

http://209.176.154.132/pub/features/intro.cfm

 

amazingly accurate but expensive.

OK, I take it back. You may see a force machine at the neighborhood tire store. It should help solve a lot of ride complaints.