Hunter GSP9700 Wheel Balancers -AOK!

[Dane]

Just had 305-70-16 ProComp AT tires installed and then balanced on a Hunter GSP9700. I've had the truck up to 75-80 and it's real smooth I'm suprised as these are big fat heavy (45+lbs) tires.



I watched them balance tires, the machine makes it almost a no brainer for the tire tech. 3 of 4 tires only needed weights and the machine spun the wheel/tire to the exact spot and indicated which side of the rim the weight should go. Then it rechecked for balance.



On one of the tires the machine stopped and told the tech to spin the tire on the rim and even showed him exactly where to spin the tire to in relation to the rim.



Here's a link to the Hunter sight that will find the closest shop in your area, but there are some shops not listed so calling and asking may be a good idea if you don't find one close. The machine costs $8,000 so the small shops probably don't have em unless they do the big $ cars and trucks. Canepa engineering here in Santa Cruz had one because it was the only machine that would do the 18" and larger rims for the pimp mobiles.



Click on "locate a GSP9700"



http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/product.htm

 

[D. Showan]

I use a 9700 in my shop (It is a real sweet machine) and I would be glad to check the road force and phase match the tires if needed for free for any TDR member in the central PA area (Williamsport). I teach a live work chassis lab at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. PM me if I can help.

 

[DOWG]

I just replaced by original 19. 5's and had the new tires balanced on the Hunter GSP9700 at Discount Tire of all places and they did a good job. No problems with a 1,000 miles on the tires.

 

[Dan]

Of course, we use the GSP 9700 on all our 19. 5's and just think it's an awesome machine. It works eqaully well on 16's. Only problems we've run into is finding shops that actually know "how" to use the machine properly and shops that have invested the money in the machine, but not in the proper centering fixtures. We probably have another $4K in special centering fixtures that are made by a company in Germany. We're talking about thousandths of an inch in runout making the difference between and good ride and a vibration. We also spin the tire on the wheel even if it's within spec, but if by doing so, it'll make it better. Remeber too, that we're matching for runout, NOT weight. Two totally different processes. There are machines out there that will match for weight, but if it's not round, who cares if it takes a little less weight. Sometimes matching for runout increases the weight, and sometimes it reduces it. We'll also swap tires and wheels around if it'll make the "set" better. I'd recommend educating yourself on Hunter's website (and maybe our's too) so you can ask the right questions and get the job dome correctly. The factories "match mount" and that's why trucks always ride better on their factory sets than on subsequent sets. If you have any specific questions not covered, feel free to call us at 1-800-587-7633. D. Showans offer is a generous one.



Dan Richter

Rickson Truck

 

[Un-Hemi]

Yes! I'm a believer in the GSP9700. Had a shake problem in my minivan that I couldn't resolve with my local tire shop. I looked up another shop that had one of these machines, and it turned out that the tire that had little weight on it and looked absolutely round and true had a road force difference of 27 pounds. Because it looked so good, the local shop had put it on the front right. Because I have alloy wheels on the minivan, the best result we could get was 21 lbs difference. Just this small change smoothed it right out, and it was moved to the right rear. I'm impressed.



I told my local shop that I wouldn't be buying any tires from a shop that doesn't have one of these machines.



BTW, many of the major tire manufacturers won't warranty a new tire on the basis of the results of using a Hunter GSP9700. Wonder why? Shoddy tires!



A tip of the hat to D. Showan!

 

[Hummin Cummins]

D. Showman

HI NEIGHBOR!!!



I just bought tires from Lykens, and I have a shake. They rebalanced them and its still there. Where are you in Mill Hall? I used to live in Lock Haven, now I'm in Snydertown. Worked at Webbs for quite a while. I think I'll be coming to see you

Small world, eh?

Chris

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Here's an easier link to locating a Hunter (took me a while to find it LOL )



http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm



It says Les Schwab in Kennewick has one, who would have ever imagined that!!



Vaughn

 

[D. Showan]

Hummin Cummins, Sent you a PM

 

[JTroiano]

We have three of them. If any body needs balancing, let me know.

Portland OR

Jon T

503-720-5295