I had new tires put on my truck not to long ago and I discovered something very wrong with the system of balancing a wheel. Yes, I mean the stupid weights they have to clamp on to your rim. I inspected my rim a few days ago while washing and wow on every rim there is a nice piece of paint missing where they pryed the old wieghts off. I am interested to know can they put the weights in the same place they were before or do they have to move the weights around on the rim every time they balance a wheel. I would also be interested to know if they can put the weights on the inside of the wheel like they do with wheels that dont have a lip.

 

Well mine are on the inside of the rim
Yes they can put the weights on the inside of the rim

 

Good luck. I noticed the same thing. Tire stores don't really care too much. Stick on weights can be used but they don't always work the best. The reason for the moving of weights is because of the tire being out. Rims are usually pretty good. So no they can not put the weights back on in the same place.

On this same note, can touch up paint be purchased for our rims?

 

Mine are also on the inside of the rim, but they can be easily seen if you look between the spokes. It appeared that the discount tire guys used some good double backed tape to attach them.

 

For the most accurate balance, they actually place weights on both the outside and inside. Your wheels can have weights only on the inside, but it usually requires someone with experience to get the balance as close to perfect as possible, and they will have to use the stick on style weight. I'm sure there must be a tire and wheel guy in the forum somewhere that can explain it better. I just know what I've been told by our tire and wheel guys at the dealership. They have a hell of a time getting the balance right on my 20"'s from my Expedition. Having the correct spin balance machine is also critical to an accurate balance.