how important is the Red dot on tyres

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 19 Mar 2021, 23:33

Still waiting to get my tyres balanced, third time lucky i hope. I have been doing some research into the proper way to balance tyres in particular the "red dot" which is meant to be lined up with the valve stem. i will get my tyres force balanced and will mention the "red dot " to reduce weight usage.

Has anyone else had problems getting tyres balanced ?

: red dot pirrelli

Oro · Post by **Oro** » 20 Mar 2021, 00:48

It's just not terribly important. The red dot is the area where the tire is a little thicker. From your pic, it's positioned close to where the wheel is *theoretically* a little lighter. Should help to reduce weight addition a small amount. Maybe.

Your wheel pictured has clearly seen a lot of selective owner-applied weight reduction, so it's just not a precise thing. The tire installer perhaps applied it where they thought best. Does the wheel not run true or smooth? Otherwise, be safe and vade ad deum.

Oro · Post by **Oro** » 20 Mar 2021, 00:49

** It was carelessly curbed a lot.

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 20 Mar 2021, 02:53

I bought these wheels cheap, i know the curb rash makes me look like a bad driver but it was the previous owner i swear. If you look close you will see the tyres still have there little rubber moulding spikes and the lip it unmarked...

I am getting a very slight un-volvo like wobble at @ 110km/h (70mph) in steering wheel only. rotated wheels and same thing. Have had similar problems getting wheels balanced on previous cars, usually takes a few attempts at balancing to get it right, so i think its a balancing issue was just wondering what others have experienced?

Or i could be fussy, when on vacation i rent new-ish vehicles so maybe comparing a 2019 car to my 2001 isnt a good idea?

Oro · Post by **Oro** » 20 Mar 2021, 11:21

darylrobert wrote: ↑20 Mar 2021, 02:53

Or i could be fussy, when on vacation i rent new-ish vehicles so maybe comparing a 2019 car to my 2001 isnt a good idea?

No, that's not unreasonable at all.

I have several 2000 to 2004 cars in "the fleet," 1 lexus and 3 volvo. All ride/steer as well as new cars as long as suspension is maintained (Lexus has 325k on it, the volvos much, much less).

The "70 mph" is highly indicative of a wheel balance issue so you are on the right track I think. Could be a bearing or tie rod, though. I had that happen a few years ago where I was sure it was a balance issue because it was very specific to 65 mph, but it did turn out to be a lower ball joint on the passenger side. Which is a thing - have someone else drive the car, you ride in the passenger side. It can feel very differently and help with diagnosis.

I did a 3,100 mile road trip last June in a 2019 Camry with 28k miles on it. I had done 1,500 miles of the same trip the prior fall in the high-mileage Lexus, and it rode better (I rebuilt the entire suspension about 250k miles on it, though). I did the 1,500 mile segment AGAIN last fall in a 2004 XC70 with stock suspension with 123k on it. It rode beautifully and still preferable to the new Camry IMO. So I don't think you are unreasonable to want it to feel nice, it can and then it can feel nice for a long time once you track down the problem.

Post by **- Pete -** » 20 Mar 2021, 22:31

I think Oro was getting at it, but to me it sounds like a bent wheel. If they get bent axially you can still achieve momentary “balance”, but it will be short lived. I straightened wheels on my former Mazdaspeed6 after arriving at the bent wheel conclusion preceded by many tens of thousands of miles. Even after straightening my struggle to maintain balance was perpetual. What I learnt was that an axially bent wheel is truly impossible to keep in balance.

Your wheels exhibit some similar curb rash as did mine, so I suppose it’s something to consider - you did say you go the wheels inexpensively. It only takes 1 bent wheel to upset your apple cart!

I’m setting out to remedy an under load oscillation on our 300k mile XC70. I’ve done both front CV axles (new GKN/Lobro, they make the Volvo CV axles) & will replace all engine mounts. After that if no/little change, I’ll replace the front control arms. If still no change, I guess I’ll rebuild or replace the CV axles again. Not to drone on, but I sympathize with you in your quest for cessation of vibrations.

Edit: oh yeah, for the red dots on the sidewalls I forgot to mention, some tires have yellow dots, some red, and some even have both. When I change a tire I try to get it lined up with the valve stem, for the reasons mentioned above. You can obviously balance it fine with the dots lined up anywhere BUT the valve stem but it’ll take more weights. Some load class D & E trailer tires I did recently had both red and yellow dots.

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 21 Mar 2021, 01:49

thanks for the sugestions, if after i fit new disk rotors and pads i will check the "lower ball joint" thats the one thats pressed into the knuckle?..i do remember finding one side slightly easier to move around than the other side but (6 months ago) i couldnt feel any play and the boot was in good cond, i did ask the mechanic and he said if there was any play the wheel alignment machine would pick it up. I am also thinking my wheels may be bent and not being detected by the tyre balancing machine. I spoke to a tyre shop and they said it sound like a balance issue but only one person knows how to operate the force balance machine is away until next week.