Tire Balance

Remove all four wheels and tires, mount each tire/wheel assembly on a balancing machine, add balancing weights as needed to correct imbalances, and reinstall wheels with proper torque.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Clip-on wheel weights (assorted sizes) × 1 — Use appropriate weights for rim style
• Adhesive wheel weights (assorted sizes) × 1 — Alternative for custom wheels

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen all wheel lug nuts approximately 1 turn while vehicle is still on the ground.
3. Mark each wheel with chalk to indicate its original position (LF, RF, LR, RR) for reference.
4. Consult owner's manual or door jamb sticker for correct tire pressure specification (typically 24-26 psi front, 26-28 psi rear for 1966 Corvette).

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Position floor jack under front crossmember and raise front of vehicle. Place jack stands under frame rails just behind front wheel wells. Lower vehicle onto stands. Repeat process for rear of vehicle, jacking under rear crossmember and placing stands under rear frame rails ahead of rear axle.
2. 2

   Remove all four wheels
   Remove the 5 lug nuts from each wheel using a lug wrench or 13/16" socket. Pull wheels straight off hubs and set aside in order corresponding to their marked positions.
3. 3

   Inspect tires and wheels
   Examine each tire for irregular wear patterns, bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Check wheel rims for bends, cracks, or damage. Verify valve stems are in good condition without cracks or leaks. Address any damage before proceeding with balancing.
4. 4

   Remove old wheel weights
   Use wheel weight pliers or flat screwdriver to remove all existing clip-on or adhesive wheel weights from each wheel rim. Clean the weight mounting areas on the rim with wire brush or abrasive pad to remove residue and corrosion.
5. 5

   Check and adjust tire pressure
   Using tire pressure gauge, check pressure in each tire. Adjust to manufacturer specification (typically 24-28 psi for 1966 Corvette, verify with specific documentation). Proper pressure is critical for accurate balancing.
6. 6

   Mount first wheel on balancing machine
   Because 1966 Corvette steel wheels are lug-centric (centered on the lug studs rather than the center bore), use a centering cone together with a flange-plate adapter that locates the wheel by its lug holes for accurate centering. Mount wheel onto balancer shaft, securing with balancer's clamp nut. Ensure wheel is centered and secured firmly. Enter wheel dimensions (diameter and width) into balancer per machine's instructions.
7. 7

   Perform spin balance
   Lower balancer hood if applicable and initiate spin cycle. Allow machine to complete measurement cycle. Machine will indicate amount and location of weight needed on both inner and outer rim flanges.
8. 8

   Install balancing weights
   Install clip-on weights at positions indicated by balancing machine. For 1966 Corvette steel wheels, use standard clip-on weights on outer rim flange and inner rim edge. Ensure weights are firmly seated and clips are tight against rim. For custom or aftermarket wheels, adhesive weights may be required on inner barrel.
9. 9

   Verify balance
   Perform second spin cycle to verify balance is within acceptable limits (typically less than 0.25 oz imbalance). If balance is not achieved, adjust weight placement or add/remove weight as indicated. Repeat until proper balance is confirmed.
10. 10

    Balance remaining wheels
    Remove balanced wheel from machine. Repeat steps 6 through 9 for each of the remaining three wheels. Keep wheels organized by their original position markings.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels on vehicle
    Mount each wheel back onto its corresponding hub in the original position. Thread all 5 lug nuts onto studs by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern by hand until wheel is seated against hub.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise vehicle slightly with jack to remove weight from jack stands. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle completely to ground. Torque all lug nuts to the factory specification (verify against 1966 Corvette service manual; commonly 65-75 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using torque wrench. Re-check torque on all wheels after first pattern is complete.

Reassembly

1. After driving 50-100 miles, re-check lug nut torque to ensure proper retention.
2. Verify tire pressures weekly and before long trips.
3. If vibration persists after balancing, investigate wheel runout, hub condition, or suspension components.

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at various speeds up to highway speed to verify smooth operation without vibration.
• Steering wheel should remain steady without shaking at all speeds.
• No unusual noise or vibration should be present from wheels.
• Visually inspect all lug nuts to ensure they are properly seated and tightened.

More procedures for this vehicle