My fiance (will be my wife as of next Saturday) has a 2000 GS300 and we got her a new set of Bridgestone Turanza tires about a year ago. Well, we all know how woman are and she hasn't had them balanced since we bought them. Now, when she bought them, they were balanced at the Firestone store on a Coates machine and they did not use the Haweka adapter plate because they don't have them. Their machine uses the cone adapter. She has never had a vibration issue, but I started thinking that since her car is basically a Toyota, aren't the wheels lug centric like my 4Runner? If so, I don't know why she has never experienced any vibration in hers. Maybe the 4Runners are just so freakin sensative. Anyway, the reason I ask is I've got to get her oil changed, front end aligned, etc tomorrow and it would save me a trip to another shop (one with a Hunter machine) if there's no problem balancing them at Firestone. Ya'll help me out here. Later.

Matt

 

I've never had to have my Toyo Open Country A/T's, in the LT 265/75 R16 6 Ply size, balanced on the Hunter GSP 9700, nor has the Haweka adaptor ever been used. They run as smooth as can be, no vibs at all.

'97 SR5 4x4.

 

That is a total internet myth. The wheels are hub centric. All toyota wheels are. You do not have to use a special balancer nor do you need a bolt plate adapter. You can use the cone on a coates machine. You do however need someone who knows what they are doing. Toyotas are very sensitive to vibrations.

 

I would also add that if the tires are balanced when they are installed and they run true and smooth, there is no reason to rebalance them. Waste of money.

 

i think you've got other problems if you have to ask for a tire balancer by name

 

Kyle,
Obviously you haven't read any threads on this forum about Toyota wheel balancing and the awesome benefits of the Hunter machine, particularly when used on a Toyota. May want to do a search dude.

BTW, I got them balanced on the Hunter machine and it's smooth as glass again.

Matt