Wheels - Loss Of Balance Weights
90ford18 Article No. 90-13-2^ WHEELS - AVAILABILITY OF NEW BALANCE WEIGHTS
^ WHEELS - LOSS OF BALANCE WEIGHTS AND CORROSION
FORD: 1984-86 LTD 1984-88 EXP
1984-90 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG, TEMPO, THUNDERBIRD 1986-90 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1984-86 CAPRI, MARQUIS
1984-87 LYNX
1984-90 CONTINENTAL, COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VII, TOPAZ, TOWN CAR 1986-90 SABLE
ISSUE: The loss of wheel balance weights and corrosion damage to aluminum and steel wheels may be caused by the use of improper balance weights. As a running change in the 1990 model year, a new series of metric wheel balance weights were introduced across all car lines. These metric wheel balance weights are compatible with previous Ford and Lincoln-Mercury passenger car wheels. The new balance weights come in two series -- one for steel wheels and the other for aluminum wheels.
ACTION: If service is required, refer to the following guidelines. Refer to the application blocks on the following page to select the correct balance weights.
A Technical Service Bulletin for Light Truck applications will be released in the near future. Until that time, refer to the Rotunda catalog for wheel weight application.
METRIC WEIGHTS:
The traditional ounce series wheel balance weights were available in .25 ounce increments (.25 oz. = 7 grams). The new metric weights are available in 5 gram increments. This allows for...
^ Tighter spacing of the metric weights
^ Increased accuracy when balancing a tire and wheel assembly
^ Improved overall vehicle ride quality.
STEEL WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS:
Ford has replaced the zinc electroplated coating on the weight's steel clip with a new coating called "Dacromet". This is an improvement because...
^ Zinc electroplated wheel balance weight clips are susceptible to cracking and may allow the balance weight to fall off the wheel.
^ Zinc clips cause cosmetic damage to aluminum wheels as they corrode.
^ "Dacromet" finish provides five times the corrosion resistance of the zinc plate and will not cause the clip to crack.
ALUMINUM WHEEL BALANCE WEIGHTS:
The new aluminum series wheel balance weights are totally polyester coated (encapsulated) to further improve their corrosion resistance and appearance.
MAXIMUM CORROSION PROTECTION:
For maximum corrosion protection and customer satisfaction, it is highly recommended that all dealers begin using...
^ Ford approved polyester coated wheel weights on all aluminum wheels
^ "Dacromet" clip coated weights on steel wheels.
Both series of wheel balance weights are available in 5 gram increments. It is recommended that dealers begin converting their current balance equipment to accept the metric series balance weights.
GUIDELINES FOR IDENTIFYING BALANCE WEIGHTS:
Since Ford passenger car aluminum wheels are not designed to use other manufacturer's balance weights, any mismatch will possibly allow the weight to fall off the wheel resulting in a repeat repair. To ensure retention and improve corrosion resistance, only Ford approved balance weights should be used on Ford wheels.
Some guidelines for telling the difference between Ford aluminum wheel weights and GM aluminum wheel weights are ...
Figure 1:
^ The GM weight has a larger clip than the Ford weight, Figure 1.
Figure 2:
^ When a GM weight is installed on a Ford wheel, the balance weight will not lay flat against the wheel's face, Figure 2.
NOTE: REFER TO THE ROTUNDA CATALOG FOR NON-DOMESTIC PASSENGER CAR WHEEL WEIGHTS.
Refer to the following wheel weight charts for a description and Rotunda part number.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 3300