The Secret to a Smoother Ride: Why Road Force Balancing Matters

Andrew Whited • October 24, 2025

When you buy new tires or start noticing a vibration in your steering wheel, your first thought might be to get a balance. But not all balancing is created equal. At Woodard’s Smooth Ride, we use Road Force Balancing — the gold standard for pinpointing and correcting ride issues that traditional balancers simply can’t detect.

What Is Road Force Balancing?

Road Force Balancing goes beyond standard spin balancing. Instead of just measuring weight distribution, it simulates how your tire behaves under real-world road conditions.
A Road Force Balancer, like the Hunter Road Force Elite, uses a roller to apply pressure to the tire—mimicking the forces your wheel experiences when it’s actually on the road.

This process identifies issues like:

Tire stiffness or “radial force variation”
Bent wheels or imperfections in the rim
Tire mounting errors or mismatched high and low spots
Internal tire inconsistencies that cause vibration even when the wheel is “balanced”

Why Regular Balancing Isn’t Always Enough

Traditional balancers only address static and dynamic imbalance, meaning they correct uneven weight around the wheel. That’s great for basic vibration fixes—but it can’t detect tire uniformity problems or radial runout.
If you’ve ever had your tires balanced multiple times and the vibration still won’t go away, chances are you need a Road Force Balance.

How It Works

Measurement – The balancer applies 700+ pounds of pressure to each tire, replicating driving conditions.
Diagnosis – The machine reads variations in stiffness and runout, showing where the problem lies.
Correction – Our technicians reposition the tire on the wheel, adding weights only if needed, to achieve the smoothest possible ride.
Verification – The system confirms everything is within spec before you hit the road.

Benefits of Road Force Balancing

✅ Eliminates vibrations and steering shake
✅ Improves tire life and tread wear
✅ Enhances ride comfort and handling
✅ Prevents unnecessary suspension wear
✅ Ideal for high-performance, off-road, and oversized tires

Whether you drive a lifted truck, a luxury SUV, or a daily commuter, Road Force Balancing ensures every wheel is performing perfectly.

When Should You Get a Road Force Balance?

After installing new tires or wheels
When experiencing vibration at highway speeds
If your steering wheel shakes or the ride feels rough
When tires show uneven wear despite being “balanced”
Anytime a standard balance doesn’t solve the problem

Experience the Difference at Woodard’s Smooth Ride

At Woodard’s Smooth Ride, we invest in precision equipment and expert technicians because we believe every customer deserves a truly smooth ride.
Our Road Force Balancing service helps us diagnose and fix what others miss — saving you time, money, and frustration.

Schedule your Road Force Balance today and feel the difference the moment you drive away.

📍 Visit us at Woodard’s Smooth Ride — where precision meets comfort.

A clean and well-lit workshop featuring a Hunter Road Force Elite wheel balancer. The machine appears freshly detailed, with a bright red body, black trim, and a digital display showing a tire balancing interface. The surrounding area is tidy with a smooth floor and uncluttered background, emphasizing a professional, organized workspace.

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