Balancing wide 5's

Well, after months of procrastinating I'm finally going to start my suspension project, which includes wide 5 wheels, tomorrow. I was wondering if there is an easy way to balance the wide 5's I've seen the adapters before but I don't have one of those. I can probably do the fronts with them mounted on the disc but I don't think I can do that with the rear drums.

you are going to balance them yourself?

have you balanced tires before? There is a big, expensive digital machine.

To do wide 5's you (they) need an adapter.

How'd the narrowed arse install go BTW?

Hey Mickey....
Went thru the ordeal last year. Here is my solution:
http://www.mainelycustombydesign.com/wheels_suspension.html
A bit pricey, but works fine. Being an old sheet metal worker, I'm working on a couple of boot-leg 16ga. "knock-offs" right now. If you'd like, I could mail you one to test out for me!

"I can probably do the fronts with them mounted on the disc but I don't think I can do that with the rear drums."

Get the fronts balanced on the discs THEN take them off and bolt them on the rear. Now magically THEY become the rears which are already balanced (How cool for you ! !) and all you'll have to worry about is balancing the fronts which you . . .

"can probably do the fronts with them mounted on the disc . . ."


Having the rims and tires balanced while bolted to the rear drums would be a waste of time and money anyway. The drum is all over the place due to it's fit on the splines; balance and run-out is a mess, luckily it's kinda too small in circumference to matter that much.

Luck,

TC

Ernie,
That's the adapter I've seen but didn't want to shell out the $60 + shpg. Not to mention the wait time to get it here. By the way, are your prototypes ready?

Paul,
I am fortunate to have a friend that owns a repair shop so I'll use his machine. And the "suspension project" I was refering to is the rear narrowing along with new shocks, wide 5 brake & wheel conversion and the front supports that a few of the guys have installed.

TC,
I guess I could do all four on the same disc but I was hoping to do the front end work (shocks, supports, rotors and wheels) in one shot. And I'm using my existing tires. And I want to be able to drive it out. Then do the rear stuff another day, as that is probably going to be a 2 day job. I just hate not driving my car for a few days.

If I have to I'll suck it up a go a few days without driving. I just want to make sure they CAN be balanced by bolting them to the disc first. If not, then I'll have to wait to get an adapter.
I was just hoping someone out there had a "trick" that I didn't think of.

I believe Jack bought an adapter

Way to go Mickey! YOur car will seriously kick some ass after you install those wide fives. Don't forget to get a set of the aluminum drum covers from CB Performance (a great deal at $89.95 for the set of four) and you'll be set.

Ready to ship Mickey........

Thanks Ricardo! Already have the drum covers ready and waiting.

Ernie,
I'll let you know tomorrow. Hopefully I won't need it but who knows?

Yep Larry--I did get one of Manley'swide 5 adaptors and it works perfectly. There was not a single tire store in my town that had the tools to balance a wide 5, now with the adaptor it's easy.

Larry--I'm going next week to have the realignment done and will take the specs you sent that will stop the low speed tire squeal--Thanks---Jack

I found a guy in the area that has one. He's letting me borrow it to get the job done.

Ernie,
How much do you want for one of yours? I figure I'm gonna need one in the future so I may as well get one. I'd rather pay the money to a fellow SOC'er.