TheSamba.com :: View topic - Tire shop near Macon GA that can handle wide fives?

Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:04 am

Urgently seeking a tire shop in Middle Georgia (think within about 60 miles of Macon) that has the equipment and knowledge to mount and balance tires on wide fives for my 67 Bug. I've asked many tire shops in the area, called every suggestion, and posted the question on the FB Middle GA VW group, with no joy. I really don't want to try wrestling new tires on by myself.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:42 am

Mounting the tires onto the wheels shouldn’t be a problem. Most modern shops use machines that clamp onto the inside of the wheels, or clamp around the lip of the wheel from the outside. Either will work.

Balancing the wheels is a different problem. You will need an adapter so the wheels can be mounted to the spindle of the spin balancer. Something like this:

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/us/ac601209-wheel-balancing-adapter-5x205.html
It needs to have a small round hole in the center so the wheels can be can be centered on the spindle. This applies to both modern spin balancers and bubble balancers. The problem is most modern wheel balancers don't come with this adapter.

I always wondered if you couldn't use an old drum brake as an adapter? But the hole for the spindle might be too small to fit the spindle of the wheel balancer?

The other "old school" wheel balancing option (which I rarely see anymore) is a spin balancer which spins the wheel while mounted to the car. See below.

This was thought to be better method for balancing wheels because it took into consideration the wheel and any other spinning unbalanced parts like the disc/drum and lug nuts too. It adjusted for all the spinning mass (excluding the hub cap). You may have to call around to old shops to see if anyone still has one and knows how to use it.
Maybe try large trucking repair shop as I don't think you can mount a wheel from an 18-wheeler on a normal spin balancer? I'm actually not sure what method they use for large trucks. Anyone know?

Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:35 am

Discount Tires, (in calif) can still do wide 5 vw's

Check them in your area

Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:52 am

Swapping tires any shop can handle... buy balancing beads and toss them in during....done.

(Dynabeads)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503595

.

Tue Sep 02, 2025 8:36 am

I used balancing beads in mine and they have been great!