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Topic: Centramatic wheel balancers (Read 824 times) previous topic - next topic

Centramatic wheel balancers

I have pretty much decided to go with Centramatic wheel balancers  when I get new tires,  I had always assumed I would have them on all axles.  I recently ran across a guy that just had them on the steer axle and said that  was all you needed. So now I'm wondering what  other folks do. If you use this system I would like to know what you think and how many you have.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #1 –
I put on all axles. There's even more mass rotating on the duals that will shake more if out of balance.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #2 –
They were on the rear, between the duals when I purchased my 1996 U320. The fronts are spin balanced.
Do not know why they were not also installed on the front.
I used Equal powder in my previous coach but found that when hitting pot holes on rough California Freeways, the steering wheel would shake violently for a couple seconds before smoothing out again.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #3 –
Falconguy,

We have them on all 4 corners. Noticeable difference in ride.  If I can tell a difference they must really help. Hubby thinks less vibration then less wear on shocks and drive train. Saves $$

Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #4 –
Our coach had them on all four corners when we bought it.  They were installed by the prior owners (Thanks John & Genni).  Since I have never driven the coach without them, I can't actually tell you what difference they make.  BUT, I can say that our ride is perfectly smooth at all speeds up to 75 mph (my personal limit), and I have never felt the slightest hint of any tire balance problems.  I will definitely reuse them (all 4) when we finally replace the tires.

Side note: some people say you don't need to use balance weights (spin balance) on the wheels when you install the Centramatics.  In the case of our coach, the (brand new) tires had just been balanced when installed, and then the Centramatics were added for additional balance security.  They left the weights on the wheels, and like I said, it seems to work great.  Do what makes you happy!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the input everyone.  I'm sticking to my plan and will have them on all axles and I am going to have them trued at the truck place in Huntington. New,round and balanced is all good in my world. 
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Falconguy –
Thanks for the input everyone.  I'm sticking to my plan and will have them on all axles and I am going to have them trued at the truck place in Huntington. New,round and balanced is all good in my world.

Did not bother with the balance myself.  New tires are all tested on the same industry std high tech spin machine to catch bad construction.  Someone said third level harmonics or something like that?

Called the Michelin guy before I bought our xza-3+'s.

Koni FSD's, centrimatics.  LRH 275's and a tight front axle setup and 90/100 psi derived from our exact weight are a pleasure to drive.

The xza evertreads self steer noticeably and the ride is also noticeably better than our xza-1's and the noise is reduced and the mpg seems to be up a bit also.

Too many years in the high line Rv biz and as a Foretravel manager to put anything less than the best on these coaches.

Other coaches not as much as they do not drive like a uni product.  They are numb by comparison. 

Uni's are a high precision setup because cm Fore wanted to build the best driving coach made. 

Truing is probably not needed as much  anymore
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #7 –
I tried them on my steer tires once and there was no difference whatsoever in front-end vibration.  They had a 30-day money back guarantee, so off they came. 

I use balance beads now and am very satisfied with the ride quality. 

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #8 –
I have them all the way around and the coach was never smoother.
Florida Shores Truck Centers had the cheapest prices - $168.00 front/$183.00 rear, free shipping.
They also had great prices on Toyos.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: Centramatic wheel balancers

Reply #9 –
I have Centramatics on all four corners. I had all tires balanced off the coach as well. I think the Centramatics improved the ride when I put them on. However, that might have been a result of "I paid good money for those, they must have helped." I figure they don't hurt anything and they might help.

We have some vibration around 50-55 mph. I think it is the result of some cupping on the XZA-1 tires. The tires are at about 80K miles. I plan to replace them soon with XZA-3 LRH. We'll see if the vibration settles. I will have the new tires balanced and the Centramatics will go back on with the new wheels.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX