Abstract: A wheel mounting member is adapted for use in a vehicle wheel balancer to secure a vehicle wheel in a centered position relative to a centering shaft of the wheel balancer during wheel-balancing rotation of the wheel. The mounting member includes a base constructed of a polymeric material, and defining a center hole for receiving the centering shaft of the wheel balancer. A plurality of elongated wheel-engaging centering studs depend from the base, and are adapted for engaging the vehicle wheel to mount the wheel on the balancer.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel balancer obtains data relative to the imbalance of a vehicle wheel. The wheel balancer includes a rotatable shaft having a free end adapted for extending through a center hole of the wheel, and a proximal end opposite the free end. A locating hub is carried on the shaft, and is adapted for engaging a first side of the wheel to locate the wheel on the balancer. A centering sleeve is carried on the shaft adjacent the locating hub, and is adapted for extending through the center hole of the wheel to center the wheel relative to the shaft. The centering sleeve is releasably locked onto the wheel balancer, such that the centering sleeve remains secured to the wheel balancer upon removal of the wheel from the shaft.