What is the difference between steel and aluminum wheel weights?

Commonly used car wheels are generally divided into steel wheels and aluminum alloy wheels; so what are the differences between these two wheel weights? Today's article will analyze:

Material selection tendency

• Steel wheels: Due to the high strength and heavy weight of steel wheels, they can usually be matched with steel or lead alloy wheel weights. Steel wheel weights are high in strength and can withstand greater impact and vibration, and have good compatibility with steel wheels; wheel weights have high density and can provide sufficient counterweight in a small volume, which is suitable for steel wheels with high balance requirements.
• Aluminum alloy wheels: Generally, wheel weights made of aluminum alloy or zinc alloy are selected. Aluminum alloy wheel weights have obvious advantages in lightweight, which can further reduce the overall weight of the wheel and improve vehicle performance and fuel economy; zinc alloy wheel weights have good corrosion resistance and certain flexibility, which can better adapt to the characteristics of aluminum alloy wheels.

Installation method

• Steel wheels: Commonly used hook-type or percussion-type wheel weights. Clip-on wheel weights are fixed to the edge of the steel wheel hub by hooks. They are easy to install and can be directly clipped onto the wheel hub. Knock-on wheel weights can be directly knocked onto the predetermined position on the steel wheel hub, and the strength of the steel wheel hub is used to fix the wheel weights.
• Aluminum alloy wheels: Stick on wheel weights are mostly used. Aluminum alloy wheels are relatively soft in texture. Stick on wheel weights are attached to the inside of the wheel hub by strong double-sided adhesive. They will not cause damage to the wheel hub during installation, and can ensure that the balance block fits tightly with the wheel hub to achieve a good balance effect.

Appearance and visual effects

• Steel wheels: The overall style is relatively tough and simple. The wheel weights that match them usually have a simple appearance design, mainly for practicality. The colors are generally original metal colors or colors that have undergone simple anti-rust treatment, such as black, gray, etc.
• Aluminum alloy wheels: The appearance design is diverse, the shape is beautiful, and more attention is paid to visual effects. The wheel weights that match it will also pay more attention to the overall coordination with the wheel hub in design, and may have more color options and surface treatment processes, such as silver, gold, etc. Some will also have brand logos or decorative lines.

Maintenance and replacement

• Steel wheel hub: Wheel weights may become loose or the hook may be damaged due to vibration, collision, etc. during use. When checking and maintaining, you need to pay attention to the fixation of the hook and the degree of wear of the wheel weights. It is relatively convenient to replace. Just remove the hook or knock off the balance block.
• Aluminum alloy wheel hub: Stick on wheel weights are relatively stable under normal use, but if they encounter high temperature, humidity and other environments, the viscosity of the double-sided tape may decrease, causing the balance block to fall off. When replacing, you need to be careful to clean the residual double-sided tape to avoid affecting the sticking effect of the new wheel weights.