Adhesive wheel weights falling off
Reliable Solution - The Professional Bonded Weights range is recommended for a high quality all-round tyre shop bonded weight installation. Particularly recommended for use on new or refurbished alloy rims.
Why can't adhesive wheel weights stick to alloy rims?
1.Incomplete surface cleaning
If there is oil, dust, rust or other impurities on the wheel surface, it will seriously affect the bonding effect of the adhesive wheel weights.
For example, when the vehicle is driving, the rim surface may absorb dust and oil on the road. If these impurities are not thoroughly removed before installing the wheel weight, the adhesive layer cannot fit tightly with the rim surface, and the wheel weight is easy to fall off as the vehicle vibrates and drives.
2.Adhesive quality problem
The quality of the adhesive is a key factor affecting the firmness of the wheel weight. If the adhesive strength of the adhesive itself is insufficient, such as the unreasonable glue formula, resulting in insufficient adhesion to the rim material and the weight material, then during the normal driving of the vehicle, especially when encountering bumpy roads or high-speed driving, the wheel weights are at risk of falling off.
3.Environmental factors
Temperature is an important environmental factor. In hot weather, the temperature of the wheel will rise, especially after a long period of high-speed driving, the rim temperature may reach a very high level. If the adhesive glue of the adhesive wheel weights cannot withstand high temperatures, it will soften or even flow, causing the wheel weights to fall off. On the contrary, in a cold environment, the glue may become hard and brittle, reducing the bonding strength. In addition, humidity, rain erosion, and chemicals on the road (such as snow melting agents) will also corrode the adhesive layer and weaken the bonding effect.
4.Improper installation
The installation process is crucial to the firmness of the adhesive wheel weights. If the wheel weights are not pressed correctly during installation, leaving an air gap between the glue layer and the rim, the bonding strength will be reduced. Moreover, if the wheel weights are not pasted at the specified position and angle, they may not be able to withstand the centrifugal force and other forces during vehicle driving, and they may fall off easily. In addition, driving the vehicle without waiting enough time for the adhesive to fully exert its viscosity after installation will also increase the possibility of wheel weights falling off.
5.Vehicle vibration and driving conditions
Vehicles will produce various vibrations during driving, especially when passing potholes, speed bumps or rugged mountain roads. These violent vibrations will have a greater impact on the adhesive wheel weights. If the bonding strength is not enough, the wheel weights will be easily shaken off. In addition, the vehicle's driving speed will also have an impact. When driving at high speed, the centrifugal force of the wheel will increase, and the adhesion of the wheel weights will be higher, otherwise the wheel weights may also fall off.
6.Aging of wheel weights
As time goes by, the adhesive wheel weights will gradually age. The adhesive layer will be affected by ultraviolet radiation, oxidation and other factors, and its performance will gradually decline. For example, if exposed to sunlight for a long time, some components in the adhesive may undergo photochemical reactions, making the glue hard and brittle, losing its bonding strength, and eventually causing the wheel weights to fall off.
Precautions
1.Ensure the surface is clean
Before installing the adhesive wheel weights, you must use a special cleaner or alcohol to thoroughly clean the rim surface. For oil stains, you can use an oil cleaner to clean it; for rust, you can use a rust remover and then rinse it with clean water. The cleaned rim surface should be dry and free of impurities to ensure that the adhesive layer and the rim have a good bonding effect.
2.Choose high-quality products
You should choose adhesive wheel weights with reliable quality. Check the brand, reputation and quality certification of the product. High-quality wheel weights usually use high-performance adhesives, and the quality of the weight body is also relatively good. For example, some well-known brands of balance weights have been strictly tested in terms of temperature resistance, weather resistance and bonding strength of the adhesive, which can effectively reduce the risk of falling off.
3.Correct installation operation
Strictly follow the installation instructions. During installation, to accurately determine the pasting position of the wheel weights, generally a professional wheel balancing machine is required to detect the imbalance point of the wheel. After peeling off the protective film of the wheel weights adhesive layer, stick the wheel weights smoothly on the wheel surface and press the wheel weights hard to make the adhesive layer fit the rim fully. The best pressing time is about 1-2 minutes to ensure that the adhesive layer can play the best bonding effect. After the installation is completed, wait for a period of time (usually according to the requirements of the product manual, it may vary from a few minutes to a few hours) to allow the adhesive to fully cure before using the vehicle.
4.Regular inspection and maintenance
Regularly check the adhesion of the adhesive wheel weights. During vehicle maintenance, the inspector can gently pull the wheel weights by hand to check if there are signs of looseness or falling off. If there is a problem with the wheel weights, it should be re-pasted or replaced in time. At the same time, pay attention to the state of the vehicle during driving, such as whether there is abnormal vibration, which may also be a sign that the wheel weights have fallen off.