Field Reliability of Wheel Balance Weights

Controlled drift into terrain (CDIT) causes most wheel balance weight failures. Faulty installation causes only a small fraction. Prevent CDIT failures by installing wheel weights on the insides of wheels, at least on the front wheel on the side opposite the driver.

The field data are:

• balance weights collected during two years from the streets of three zip codes
• vehicle registrations in those zip codes

The balance weights were the clip-on, not the stick-on, type.

The field failure rate per vehicle per year is 0.0044.