Fortune steel clip-on wheel weights are the compliance-safe workhorse of professional tire balancing. Manufactured from high-tensile steel and finished coated or uncoated, they deliver a fully lead-free, recyclable counterweight that is legal on roads across the European Union and meets U.S. environmental and safety requirements. Steel absorbs road shock and vibration without deforming, costs less than zinc, and is stocked in both ounce and metric series. For fleets, tire chains and distributors who need a durable, audit-ready balancing solution, steel is the default specification.
Lead is now restricted or banned for wheel weights across the European Union and in several U.S. states, which makes material choice a compliance decision rather than only a purchasing one. Steel is non-hazardous and fully recyclable, and steel wheel weights are unrestricted on roads throughout the EU. That single fact is why cross-border fleets standardise on steel: one part number can be fitted in every market you serve, with no exemption paperwork and no risk of a compliance audit failure. Fortune supplies steel clip-on weights with material documentation to support your environmental and health-and-safety files.
One part number can be fitted in every market you serve, with no exemption paperwork and no risk of a compliance audit failure.
Choosing the right clip-on wheel weight comes down to three things: safety, durability and total cost of ownership. Steel sits in the sweet spot between lead and zinc. It is cheaper than zinc, tougher than you might expect, and far kinder to the planet than lead. Below are the five reasons Fortune recommends steel clip-on weights for everyday balancing work on cars, SUVs, vans, pickups and light trucks.
Lowest-cost clip-on material in the Fortune range.
Fine 0.25 oz increments mean fewer pieces are needed to reach target correction.
Compounds into major savings for high-volume tire chains with no loss of retention.
Choosing the right clip-on wheel weight comes down to three things: safety, durability and total cost of ownership. Steel sits in the sweet spot between lead and zinc. It is cheaper than zinc, tougher than you might expect, and far kinder to the planet than lead. Below are the five reasons Fortune recommends steel clip-on weights for everyday balancing work on cars, SUVs, vans, pickups and light trucks.
Steel is fully recyclable at the end of its life. For fleets and retail networks that need to meet sustainability reporting standards, steel provides an eco-compliant solution.
Non-hazardous and road-legal across the EU.
Resists shock and vibration; won't deform or break on rough terrain.
heaper than zinc, a practical middle ground between lead and zinc.
Clip-on design snaps on and off effortlessly during tire balancing.
Fits steel wheels on cars, SUVs, vans, pickups and light trucks.
Every Fortune series code tells a story: a specific rim type, vehicle era and regional standard. Picking the correct series is the difference between a perfect fit and a returned shipment. Steel clip-on weights are produced in both the ounce series (REG, MC, AW, T, EN, LH) for North American and Chrysler flanges and the gram series (FN, IAW) for Japanese, European and Asian alloy wheels. Sizes run from 0.25 oz up to 3.00 oz and from 5 g up to 60 g.
The North American standard for passenger-car steel rims. Twelve sizes from 0.25 to 3.00 oz cover every common fitment from compact cars to full-size sedans. Packaged 25 pieces per box, 20 boxes per case for efficient warehouse handling and inventory management.
0.25 – 1.00 oz
1.25–2.00 oz
2.25–3.00 oz
Mercapto-coated steel protects post-1995 alloy rims from galvanic corrosion and oxidation. The OE-replacement choice for classic North American vehicles including Buick, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn models.
0.25 – 1.00 oz
1.25–2.00 oz
2.25–3.00 oz
Soft steel clip-ons specifically designed for pre-1995 alloy wheels. The pliable composition will not scratch or mar delicate rim finishes, making this the premium aftermarket standard for Acura, Buick, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Infiniti, Isuzu, Lexus, Oldsmobile and Pontiac vehicles.
0.25 – 1.00 oz
1.25–2.00 oz
2.25–3.00 oz
Metric 5–60 gram range for European and Japanese OEM fitments. FSR and FSTR profiles are precision-engineered to match Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan and Toyota rim geometries with zero-gap installation and reliable retention under all driving conditions.
5–25 g
30–50 g
55–60 g
The universal metric solution for modern alloy rims across Ford, European and Asian brands. One series covers multiple OEM approvals including Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo — simplifying inventory for multi-brand distributors.
5–30 g
35–50 g
55–60 g
Heavy-duty clip profile engineered for light-truck steel and alloy wheels. Thicker rim flanges and higher load requirements demand a stronger clip geometry — the T series delivers retention force and durability that standard passenger-car weights cannot match.
0.25–1.00 oz
1.25–2.00 oz
2.25–3.00 oz
Steel metric weights for Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and early Japanese alloy rims. The soft material composition combined with precise metric sizing ensures zero rim damage during installation and removal — critical for high-end European vehicle service centers.
5–30 g
35–50 g
55–60 g
Chrysler’s unique alloy flange geometry requires a dedicated clip profile that standard aftermarket weights cannot replicate. The LH series is the only aftermarket weight that fits pre-2009 Chrysler, Dodge and Ram rims correctly — eliminating comebacks and customer complaints.
0.25–1.00 oz
1.25–2.00 oz
2.25–3.00 oz
Correct fitment starts with the series code, not the box label. Use the guide below to match each Fortune steel clip-on series to the right vehicle makes and rim type, then confirm the exact size against the vehicle service manual or a Fortune catalog. Getting this right the first time prevents comebacks and protects your reputation with every balanced wheel you ship.
| Series | Fits (rim / wheel) | Vehicle Brands |
|---|---|---|
| REG | Standard-width rim flange passenger-car steel wheels, 13″–17″ wheel size. | Universal Fit (All brands with standard steel rims) |
| MC | Most North American vehicles with alloy rims. | Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac & Saturn |
| AW | North American alloy rims manufactured before 1995. | Acura, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Infiniti, Isuzu, Lexus, Oldsmobile & Pontiac |
| FN | Most Japanese vehicles. | Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan & Toyota |
| IAW | New Ford models, most European & certain Asian alloy wheels. | Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen & Volvo |
| T | Most North American light trucks with decorative/larger-thickness steel wheels and most light-truck alloy wheels. | Universal Fit (All Light Truck Brands) |
| EN | Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen & very early-model Japanese alloy wheels. | Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz & Volkswagen |
| LH | Chrysler unique alloy rim flange. | All Chrysler and some Dodge & Ram models before 2009 |
Installing steel clip-on wheel weights is quick, but precision matters. Follow Fortune four-step method to guarantee retention, protect the rim, and deliver a vibration-free ride. A soft-tip installation hammer and a wheel balancer are all you need; no adhesives or cure time required.
Refer to the wheel weight application guide to select the proper wheel weight for the vehicle you are servicing. Verify that the wheel counterweight has been properly installed by testing the position of the wheel counterweight on the wheel rim. The clips on the counterweight block should align seamlessly with the contour of the wheel rim.
Position the weight at the point of imbalance identified by the balancer. Before you strike anything, make sure the top and bottom of the clip are both in full contact with the rim flange and that the body of the weight is clear of the rim surface. Always use a soft-tip hammer so you never scratch or dent the wheel during installation.
With the weight aligned, strike the clip area only, never the body. Use a soft-tip hammer and tap the clip area no more than twice. Over-striking or hitting the body can crack the clip, loosen retention or shift the weight, leading to failure. Two firm, accurate taps are enough to seat a steel clip-on securely.
Spin the wheel on the balancer and confirm the heavy point is corrected with no wobble or vibration. If it is still out of balance, add or remove weights as needed. Finish with a short road test and listen for unusual vibration or handling changes. If the wheel runs true, the steel clip-on weights are doing their job.
From your first sketch to full-scale production — four engineering milestones that turn your private-label idea into shelf-ready product. Our OEM process is transparent, timeline-driven and designed for buyers who need custom specifications without the engineering overhead.
Tell us the rim type, vehicle market and coating requirement. Our engineering team locks the geometry and material formula within 24 hours — cold-rolled steel strip grade, zinc layer thickness between 5 and 8 microns, lead alloy ratio or eco-friendly coating adhesive. No CAD file needed from you.
Progressive-die simulation using SIGMASOFT software validates material flow and identifies potential defects before cutting steel. Five-axis Swiss CNC machining produces functional samples with tolerances held to plus or minus 0.01 millimeters. Samples ship within 48 to 72 hours for immediate fitment testing.
Every batch undergoes comprehensive destructive testing before reaching your warehouse. Salt-spray exposure per ASTM B117 for 500 hours minimum, clip pull-off force testing at 400 newtons, coating adhesion cross-cut evaluation at grade zero, weight tolerance verification within plus or minus 0.5 percent, and installation fatigue cycling to 10,000 cycles. Values pending final factory verification.
Production tooling uses S136 mold steel rated for over 500,000 shots with minimal wear. Tooling turnaround from approval to first article inspection is 15 to 25 days depending on cavity count. One hundred percent automated optical inspection maintains CPK greater than 1.33 with defect rates consistently below 50 parts per million.
Every Fortune steel clip-on weight is produced in an ISO 9001-certified facility and checked for dimensional accuracy, clip spring tension and coating thickness. We verify that each clip returns to its specified profile after a compression cycle, because a clip that relaxes will eventually work loose on the road. Coated batches are salt-spray tested to confirm corrosion performance. Custom packaging, private-label printing and mixed-series assortments are available for distributors and tire programmes.
The right choice if cost per balanced wheel is your deciding metric.
Choose steel if your customers operate in the European Union or other lead-restricted zones.
Ideal for rough-service applications where impact resistance matters.
Choose steel if your customers operate across several countries with different material rules, if they run mixed steel and alloy wheels, or if cost per balanced wheel is the deciding metric. Steel is also the right call for rough-service and fleet applications where impact resistance matters. If premium alloy wheels and appearance dominate your market, look at zinc; if tight clearance and a very small weight matter most, look at lead. Fortune supplies all three on the same series grid, so switching material never changes your fitment data. Tell Fortune your vehicle mix and region and we will recommend the series and finish.
Acorn lug nuts that are not tightened to the correct torque can cause a wheel to come loose at highway speed — one of the most dangerous failures a driver can experience. Too loose, and the wheel works free over the first 100 km; too tight, and the studs stretch
Lug nuts with incorrect torque can cause a wheel to come loose at highway speed — one of the most dangerous failures a driver can experience. Too loose, and the wheel works free over the first 100 km; too tight, and the studs stretch or snap under load. The fix
A wheel comes off the balancer with a 0.25 oz imbalance marked at the 6 o’clock position. The operator cleans the spot, presses on an adhesive wheel weights strip, watches the display drop to zero, and rolls the wheel to the mounting rack — only to find the weight sitting
The stock wheel nuts on most cars do their work without anyone noticing them — until the day a wheel wobbles, a stud snaps, or a finish gets scratched during a tire swap. Aftermarket lug nuts solve the cosmetic problem but introduce a technical one: every wheel and stud combination
Yes. Steel is non-hazardous and steel wheel weights are unrestricted on roads throughout the European Union, where lead wheel balance weights have been effectively prohibited since 1 July 2003 under the ELV Directive 2000/53/EC. This makes steel the simplest way to supply a single, compliant part number across European markets. Fortune supplies steel clip-on weights with material documentation to support your compliance and environmental records.
Steel is harder than lead or zinc, so a steel clip can mark a polished, painted or clear-coated alloy flange if it is forced or mis-seated. Use the correct series for the rim profile and a soft-tip hammer, and never strike the body of the weight. For show-quality or polished wheels, use stick-on weights mounted inside the rim. On standard steel wheels and most production alloys, a correctly fitted steel clip will not cause damage.
Steel has a higher spring rate than softer balancing materials, so the clip resists opening and rebounds if you tap it lightly. That is why steel needs one firm strike rather than several light ones. It also means a steel clip cannot be bent or reshaped by hand: if the series is wrong for the flange, replace it. The payoff is strong long-term retention, because steel keeps its clamp tension where a softer clip would relax.
