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Old 11-28-2020, 08:00 AM   #1
36coupe
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Default Need help balancing wheels

I know this is a little bit off topic but it is vintage.
I have an old bubble balancer Bada from the 1960s. I pulled it out yesterday to balance some wheels and the liquid is gone from the bubble.
Has anyone had to deal with this?
What type of liquid to us? Mineral oil? Clear HYD oil?
It looks like I can drill the 4 spots that when peeled over on the bottom and hopefully can add fluid from the bottom?
Any ideas?
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Old 11-28-2020, 08:50 AM   #2
big job
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Looks like a Micro Precision. I have no idea about drilling any holes, the oil goes into
the top. You don't want light oil in there we stayed around 80 or 90 gear oil so the
hub with the bubble stays stabilized; with light oil the slightest breeze even from a fan
will drive you crazy. Remember the proper way is to use two weights one in front, one
in the back but sometimes you need four small weights placed on the front mark rim with
chalk for the back then bang them all in then recheck. We have one looks like yours
been in storage since can't remember, because today's tires are pretty well or close
to balance v/s tires with 'tubes' that need balance.......
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Old 11-28-2020, 08:59 AM   #3
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Again I misread the post. oh so its the cross hair bubble. How did that happen ?
Maybe the glass seal dried up don't know. can't think of the name but I bet its the
same fluid used in gauges and levels google levels vile's and such....maybe you could
drill a small hole in the glass fill with ???? an eye dropper plug hole after a guess?
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Old 11-28-2020, 09:48 AM   #4
Wayne Schuenke
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

on ebay under (level bubble)

they have round bubbles might take a look and replace your old bubble
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Old 11-28-2020, 11:17 AM   #5
36coupe
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by big job View Post
Again I misread the post. oh so its the cross hair bubble. How did that happen ?
Maybe the glass seal dried up don't know. can't think of the name but I bet its the
same fluid used in gauges and levels google levels vile's and such....maybe you could
drill a small hole in the glass fill with ???? an eye dropper plug hole after a guess?
Glycerin, mineral oil or silicone oil are used in gauges chores I know I think I have to access it from the bottom but not sure
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Old 11-28-2020, 11:18 AM   #6
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Quote:
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on ebay under (level bubble)

they have round bubbles might take a look and replace your old bubble
Yes maybe something as a stick on bubble for the top
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Old 11-28-2020, 02:08 PM   #7
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

I used beads. perfect results. Ken
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Old 11-28-2020, 03:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

I picked up a bullseye level from the hardware store I think it will work.
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Old 11-28-2020, 03:10 PM   #9
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Quote:
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I used beads. perfect results. Ken
Do you use them and all your vehicles or just the old ones?

I had the old guy at the gas station 30 years ago told me of an older guy that would come in and want a cup full or half a cup of sand put in each one of his tires before mounting them. No external balancing.
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Old 11-28-2020, 03:43 PM   #10
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

The motorcycle guys love the beads, at least my kids do.
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Old 11-28-2020, 05:31 PM   #11
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

36coupe. Just a suggestion for the level you picked up. Find as level a surface as you have handy, and place the level on it. Let it settle, and look at where the bubble is. Rotate 90 deg. and check the bubble. do the rotation thing again, and if the bubble is always zero, your good. The reason I suggest this, is that I bought one a few years ago, and it was off center.
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Old 11-28-2020, 06:15 PM   #12
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Starret has a bubble level with stickie on the back . Ive been using mine for a few years like that now .
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Old 11-29-2020, 04:40 AM   #13
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

i was a sceptic about the beads but used them on my current tyres now a believer and no need to rebalance when rotating tyres
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Old 11-29-2020, 08:36 AM   #14
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Arms View Post
I used beads. perfect results. Ken
Same here, just takes a bit of patience to get them in an inner tube
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Old 11-29-2020, 09:02 AM   #15
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

I take mine to a shop with a modern spin balancer and
have them do them with the drums attatched. G.M.
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Old 12-01-2020, 09:16 PM   #16
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Default Re: Need help balancing wheels

Good suggestion on balancing with the drums/rotors as you are balancing the complete rotating assembly. We've found it necessary to do this more than once to balance a pesky one.
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