Wheel weights won't stay on track tires
#31
Rennlist Member
I get it when im braking for sure...we mark the tires every session and they ALWAYS shift a large amount for my car...ALWAYS...it has set the ABS off twice since Ive been tracking the car...Bill is still trying to see whats up...and they rotate on every wheel...be it fikse or kinesis...its annoying and I rarely get to enjoy a balance...
#32
Three Wheelin'
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I get it when im braking for sure...we mark the tires every session and they ALWAYS shift a large amount for my car...ALWAYS...it has set the ABS off twice since Ive been tracking the car...Bill is still trying to see whats up...and they rotate on every wheel...be it fikse or kinesis...its annoying and I rarely get to enjoy a balance...
#33
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jan 2002
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I get it when im braking for sure...we mark the tires every session and they ALWAYS shift a large amount for my car...ALWAYS...it has set the ABS off twice since Ive been tracking the car...Bill is still trying to see whats up...and they rotate on every wheel...be it fikse or kinesis...its annoying and I rarely get to enjoy a balance...
#34
Rennlist Member
If the wheels are not painted then you can use Goof-Off if you can find it. Dissolves glue (and everything else) quite well. Best to clean the entire wheel and scotchbrite/SOS pad it before giving it to the balancer..
#36
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Duct tape isn't suitable for taping weights. However, some race tire shops will use a grey MIL spec tape that looks like duct tape (but is not). This tape works very well, it's just not available at hardware stores. I use the aluminum HVAC tape, and since I also had weights breaking through a single layer, now double it.
#37
Race Director
Regarding the wheel weights falling off -- I haven't had an issue with that at all - with both street tires and R-compounds driven on the track. And I run my wheel weights naked -- no alum. foil tape, duct tape, or racer's tape over them. Eurotire in Fairfield, NJ does all my wheel mounting, and they are very familiar with this track stuff. It is nearly impossible for me to get the old residue from prior wheel weights off my wheels -- perhaps they are using a stickier adhesive. (Note to self: Having said that, I'd better put some of that alum. tape you bought earlier this year on your wheel weights before the next event...)
Then again, in the Northeast, the humidity and heat characteristics are different than in Florida. I suspect that plays a big role in losing the weights.
-Z-man.
Then again, in the Northeast, the humidity and heat characteristics are different than in Florida. I suspect that plays a big role in losing the weights.
-Z-man.
#38
There you go - proof that driving slow works.
#39
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Regarding the wheel weights falling off -- I haven't had an issue with that at all - with both street tires and R-compounds driven on the track. And I run my wheel weights naked -- no alum. foil tape, duct tape, or racer's tape over them. Eurotire in Fairfield, NJ does all my wheel mounting, and they are very familiar with this track stuff. It is nearly impossible for me to get the old residue from prior wheel weights off my wheels -- perhaps they are using a stickier adhesive. (Note to self: Having said that, I'd better put some of that alum. tape you bought earlier this year on your wheel weights before the next event...)
Then again, in the Northeast, the humidity and heat characteristics are different than in Florida. I suspect that plays a big role in losing the weights.
-Z-man.
Then again, in the Northeast, the humidity and heat characteristics are different than in Florida. I suspect that plays a big role in losing the weights.
-Z-man.
I know most of that is theoretical for you..... (see, I couldn't resist!)
#40
Race Director
Well, I suppose I did open that opportunity - Bull gets a layup & Brian P with a slam dunk...
HOWEVER both of you know my over braking tendancies - so even at my reduced pace, I should be getting plenty of heat in my brakes/wheels/wheel weights...
Hmm - did I just do a layup on my own?!?
-Z-man.
HOWEVER both of you know my over braking tendancies - so even at my reduced pace, I should be getting plenty of heat in my brakes/wheels/wheel weights...
Hmm - did I just do a layup on my own?!?
-Z-man.
#41
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Thread Starter
I bought the aluminum tape from ACE Hardware, double layered it, and still had weights loosen up; they didn't come loose, but I wouldn't run them again w/o retaping. Any suggestions?
#43
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Prep is everything. Be sure to clean the surface quite well before applying the tape. Also, be sure that the weights are properly affixed.
Don't know what else to say, as it worked quite well for the Grand Am Cup Cars at the 2 endurance races I crewed. (24hrs and Sunchaser).
Don't know what else to say, as it worked quite well for the Grand Am Cup Cars at the 2 endurance races I crewed. (24hrs and Sunchaser).
#44
Somebody waaay smarter than I once explained it to me this way:
Radiant heat from the brake rotors gets the lead weights hot, and the heat in the lead weights seeks to dissipate to the larger, cooler aluminum (or steel) wheels. The foam double backed tape is insulating the lead weights from the wheel (heat sink), and the weights get hotter than the foam tape can tolerate, so the heat energy essentially melts it's way through the foam tape as it seeks a way to get to the dissipating material of the wheel.
The HVAC tape, though thin, is an effective insulator from the radiant heat, so the weights don't get much hotter than the wheels - a temperature range which the foam tape can tolerate.
Makes sense to a dumb guy like me. Thermal engineers can correct as necessary.
Radiant heat from the brake rotors gets the lead weights hot, and the heat in the lead weights seeks to dissipate to the larger, cooler aluminum (or steel) wheels. The foam double backed tape is insulating the lead weights from the wheel (heat sink), and the weights get hotter than the foam tape can tolerate, so the heat energy essentially melts it's way through the foam tape as it seeks a way to get to the dissipating material of the wheel.
The HVAC tape, though thin, is an effective insulator from the radiant heat, so the weights don't get much hotter than the wheels - a temperature range which the foam tape can tolerate.
Makes sense to a dumb guy like me. Thermal engineers can correct as necessary.
#45