GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Hunter Wheel Balancing

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Old 11-19-06, 10:23 AM
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mole
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Default Hunter Wheel Balancing

After having 2 different shops each make multiple attempts at wheel balancing, I finally found a shop with a Hunter to do a road force wheel balance. I had to ask specifically for the road force. I have to tell you, the change is amazing, it is so smooth even from take off and yes, approaching, hitting and leaving 60 miles an hour, it is smooth. I still feel a hair bit o' vibration but steering rack bushings and pretensioner adjustment I am hoping will make that correction.

If youre struggling with the vibrations at highway speed like it seems most all are... do this along with the other stuff, it made such a huge difference. It was a bit pricey at $100 for a wheel balance, but I would do it again if I had to.

Find a shop with one here here: http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm
Old 11-19-06, 04:54 PM
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TexasGS
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AMEN Brother! The Hunter 9700 balance is the way to go. It does cost about $100 but is really worth it. I had the same balance issues and had the hunter 9700 balance and could not believe how out of balance the original balance was. This is a must for anyone with aftermarket wheels.
Old 11-19-06, 05:21 PM
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JeffTsai
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Bill, is that hunter machine for alignment? Or is it just to balance the wheels?
I think $100 to balance the wheels is a bit excessive, but if it's to do a good alignment then its more reasonable.
Old 11-19-06, 09:09 PM
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sbgs400
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i had my wheels balanced on a hunter for $32 ($8/wheel).
Old 11-19-06, 10:43 PM
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pardesi
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Does this come with lifetime balancing?
Old 11-19-06, 11:36 PM
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mole
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mine comes with 30 day guarantee, not lifetime balancing....

from what I discovered, there are different hunter balancers, so if your up for it, ask for the road force, it is more but it fixed my issues.

btw, the last 2 guys who tried to balance my wheels didnt even charge me afterwards.

the wheel balancing I was offered didnt come with an alignment.
Old 11-21-06, 06:19 AM
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sbgs400
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mine was on a road force, but not lifetime balancing, just one time.
Old 11-21-06, 12:28 PM
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Start with post #1 thru #9. Then go to the next link understand what a Hunter 9700 does that MOST OTHER balancers do not do. If you think all balancers do a similar job, think again.

For those with difficult to solve vibration issues, check this out first:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ghlight=hunter

Note that your local Lexus dealer probably has a Hunter 9700, so finding a place that does Road Force balancing should be pretty easy.

Last edited by RMMGS4; 11-21-06 at 12:42 PM.
Old 11-21-06, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by sbgs400
i had my wheels balanced on a hunter for $32 ($8/wheel).
Are you sure it was a Hunter 9700 model? A shop may have a Hunter, but most shops cannot justify the $$ to get a 9700 model. You usually have to specify that you want road force balancing. You don't usually get it without specifying.

Last edited by RMMGS4; 11-21-06 at 12:40 PM.
Old 11-21-06, 04:36 PM
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TexasGS
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My wheels were balanced with the 9700 and it was about $100 for all wheels with a lifetime rebalance. It was a real pain in the butt for those guys. They ended up taking off each tire and rotating the tire to the optimum place on the rim and then balancing from there. I say it was the best $100 I ever spent. Plus I can go back whenever I want to have them rebalance anytime I want .
Old 11-21-06, 04:37 PM
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TexasGS
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Originally Posted by JeffTsai
Bill, is that hunter machine for alignment? Or is it just to balance the wheels?
I think $100 to balance the wheels is a bit excessive, but if it's to do a good alignment then its more reasonable.
Jeff, this was just to balance all wheels. It is a long process so it costs more than a standard balance where they just spin and throw some weights on it.
Old 11-28-06, 06:12 PM
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David1969
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For anyone looking at this in the San Antonio area, Cavender Toyota has the Hunter 9700 unit. I don't have prices yet, but i will be using their services after trying the pretensions are replacing bushings.
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