New Michelin balance question

So I just got 4 new Michelin Defender MS tires on my 2014. To someone more knowledgeable then me- is this normal? Giant weights on three of the tires as shown in the photo. And the 4th tire has no weight added. These just seem huge.

 

It's rare for a wheel to take no weight at all. How does it ride?

 

Those don't look unreasonable to me - what's important is the ride! If the tires are balanced and the ride is smooth, than I would say the amount of weight is correct. If it's an appearance issue for you, that's different.

 

I expected weights, but not big ones. It seems to ride ok. Maybe a little vibration around 45mph, but not terrible. And it could just be that it feels different to me because it's a 265 and I was on 245's before.

 

Nope no appearance problem at all. I've just never had weights this big on three tires before. And because I went through Costco and not a tire shop (as I always have before), I just wanted to be sure this was normal and not a rushed job.

 

Could they not have put the weights on the inside of the wheel?

 

As an aside, these were costly! Is there an advantage to having road force balancing done? Like, if I pay that extra money now to have it done, would I be buying time as a result of better tread wear on the far end? Or is the Costco balance job "good enough"?

 

Ha yeah I always wonder why they don't just put em on the inside.

 

I just got four of those same tires and no weights on any tire, I need to check to see if they put them on the back side still...

 

I've had pretty good luck with Costco myself. If you aren't satisfied, have them re-do them or try a different Costco. I bought some BFG's once from Americas tire and the balance sucked. I took them to a different America's Tire when I was out of town, and they got them smooth as silk.

 

Cool. Thanks. I think it's prob fine. I just found it odd that three of the four tires would take the same large weight. I've had one tire with a big one before, but not three. And the fourth tire with no weight at all? Just seemed odd to me so thought I'd ask you guys.

I'll drive it for a bit more and get this initial sticky phase out of the way. New tires always seem to me to be a bit extra grippy the first coupla weeks. I think most of it is a relative change.

 

Let me know. Anyone know if it's difficult for the tire guys to put the weights on the inside? Like, would I be "that difficult guy" by requesting inside mounting? I don't wanna be an ass. I know Those guys work hard.

 

The balancing done at Costco has always been fine on my LTXMS2s. Never had a problem. Weights have always been on the outside. I never asked about why not on the inside.

 

Discount Tire mounted and balanced my wheels and tires. Weights on the inside. I'd be pissed if my nice looking wheels had weights on the outer part.

 

Unless it rides bad don't worry.
I had Sam's Club install some LTX/MS2's and they put stick on weights instead of the wheel scratching lead hammer on ones as shown. I was surprised to say the least

 

Can you read th oz's on the weights? When I bought my truck I just pried mine of the outside and replaced them with stick on weight on the inside.

 

I always ask to place them on the inside. The guys at my dealership get it. I'm anal.

 

They usually put them on the inside and outside to properly balance them, if required. I just checked my sport wheels in the basement and they have weights on both sides. Your wheel that has none on the outside, probably has a weight on the inside. Next time, ask for the stick on weights. Then you won't have to look at them, and your wheels won't get all scratched up.

 

If I remember correctly, from another life, dynamic (spin) tire balancing resolves the static imbalance of a tire for both the inner and outer planes of the tire. The "machine" indicates the amount and angle of the imbalance and where and how much weight to apply. Tire mfr's test and certify their tires to be balanced within predetermined parameters (the maximum allowable manufacturing limits) or they are rejected at the point of manufacture. One of variables is the wheel. Weights can vary, inner to outer -ie. 1 oz on the out side of the wheel and 1/4 oz on the inside to compensate for angle of imbalance. Putting all of the weight on one side of the wheel (inside) can balance the tire but not correct for manufacturing variances between the inner and outer planes of the tire and the wheel.

 

Very good explanation.