Micro Wheel Weights

[Doug J.]

Are the Micro "winged tip" wheel weights correct for 1971, or should there be no "tip". I know there should be NO metric weight markings. Examples can be seen at your favorite auction site: item # 251119007802 and item # 230901733507. Also, is a wheel weight required on the spare for judging ? Would they also be required on the 4 wheels that are mounted on the car itself. If someone has a picture of the correct wheel weight design for a 1971, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and help.

[Edward J.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Doug, I believe that Paragon corvette sells the correct micro wheel weights, I am sure they are repros.What to do is check the wheel weights on the car and note them and you can install them at the same location. as long as your sure they are balanced correctly.Just take a piece of tape and mark there location.

[Terry M.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Are the Micro "winged tip" wheel weights correct for 1971, or should there be no "tip". I know there should be NO metric weight markings. Examples can be seen at your favorite auction site: item # 251119007802 and item # 230901733507. Also, is a wheel weight required on the spare for judging ? Would they also be required on the 4 wheels that are mounted on the car itself. If someone has a picture of the correct wheel weight design for a 1971, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and help.

Wheel weight quantity and location depend on the balance of the wheel/tire, so there is no "requirement" for judging. Some Corvettes I have judged have NO balance weights on any wheel -- one might think this a most remarkable development.
You might want to look at the page in your copy of the AIM that deals with wheels and balance. There are specific instructions for the placement of the weights (if any). Specifically they were placed only on the inboard side of the wheel so as to not interfere with the installation of trim rings, ISE. There are also instructions there for the maximum quantity of weight per wheel. You might also be interested in the wheel mounting instructions, both the general instructions and the wheel/tire alignment between the marked location on the wheel and tire. There is a lot more here to be concerned with than just the wheel weights so long as you are opening that can of worms.

BTW: You can have your wheel/tire balanced with weights just on the rear of the wheel – just as the factory did. I can not recommend too highly the use of the Hunter Road Force Balancer GSP9700 if you intend to drive your Corvette.

http://www.hunter.com/balancer/?gclid=CICC67PfurQCFQZnOgod9mQAYg

Edit add: My bad. Here is the GSP9700 site witht he tab to locate a machine near you: http://www.gsp9700.com/

There is a tab on this site to find a shop with this machine near you using ZIP or postal code. The real challenge is to find someone able to use this machine to its fullest extent. If your Corvette is a trailer queen – disregard.

Those of us who drive our Corvettes have found that balance with stick on weight hidden by the trim ring or wheel cover and weight in the factory location works very well and changing the rear installed weights for period correct weights (Not all were Micro. there was a Restorer story on wheel weights in the last several years) results in great balance that is not detectible in judging.

[Doug J.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Thanks Terry.....I already know about the quantity of weights per wheel, being on the inside only, and the orange dot on the tire being aligned with the small B-B weld on the rim. I am mainly concerned with the "configuration and design" of the weight, as to if it should have the "winged tips" on the ends or not. I would imagine the safest way to go would be to have no weight at all for judging, as opposed to having the wrong one's.

[Terry M.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Thanks Terry.....I already know about the quantity of weights per wheel, being on the inside only, and the orange dot on the tire being aligned with the small B-B weld on the rim. I am mainly concerned with the "configuration and design" of the weight, as to if it should have the "winged tips" on the ends or not. I would imagine the safest way to go would be to have no weight at all for judging, as opposed to having the wrong one's.

Sorry Doug, but I am glad you are up on all that other data. Perhaps this will help someone else in the future. I can not shed any light on the need or lack thereof for the wing tip weights, except to say I have observed Micro weights both with and without the wing tips. I can not trace either style specifically to any year however.

[Joe L.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

All-----

Guess what? It's illegal for any supplier to ship lead wheel weights into California, Maine, New York, Illinois, and Washington. All suppliers might not know that, though.

[Edward J.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Joe thats interesting, Are these states using something other than lead?

[Joe L.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Joe thats interesting, Are these states using something other than lead?

Edward-----


Yes, zinc or steel.

[Terry M.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

For that reason some (most) car manufacturers (including Corvette) no longer equip their new cars with lead wheel weights.

Ever try to buy a trunk or hood light that is triggered by a mercury switch? Not any more you won't.

[Bill L.]

Re: Micro Wheel Weights

Yeah but it is okay to have mercury in those "energy" efficient light bulbs Go figure

For that reason some (most) car manufacturers (including Corvette) no longer equip their new cars with lead wheel weights.

Ever try to buy a trunk or hood light that is triggered by a mercury switch? Not any more you won't.