Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Topic: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions (Read 1621 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #25 – January 03, 2019, 07:36:20 am

When I came out of the service in '66 we balanced tires on the cars back then! Almost a lost art now. When we purchased our coach we headed to NAC to get some minor work done and found Herman Tire. They did high speed balancing there; not sure if they do now. When we got ready to purchase new tires in '05, we had our tires high speed balanced there. Never had a problem. Unfortunately, mostly due to safety, shops moved away from this method and went with static balancing. There are still a few shops around the country that still offers high-speed balancing. I'm not against centermatics, just like the old way. When a tire is brand new and that much out of round, it needs to be replaced. Just my thoughts on this subject!

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #26 – January 03, 2019, 08:57:21 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – January 03, 2019, 07:36:20 am

I'm not against centermatics, just like the old way. When a tire is brand new and that much out of round, it needs to be replaced.

Out of round tire, and unbalanced tire, are two different things...requiring two different solutions.

Our coach came to us with Centramatics installed at all 4 corners. Rode smooth as silk from our first day with it.

When we got new tires last year, we had them spin balanced, and then had the Centramatics reinstalled. Extra insurance for small additional cost.

Our old coach still rides smooth as silk.

DWMYH

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #27 – January 03, 2019, 09:36:09 am

According to the Michelin guys you can calll yourself all the industries truck type tires are tested on a very expensive high speed able machine at up to double normsl pressures.

They mentioned that almost all "good" major brand tires are very close on dimensions and weighting anymore.

No one makes way off tires anymore. Tok many lawsuits would result..

I saved the new balance and future rebalance money when installed the centrimatics.

Now that it was posted about the dynamic high speed balance that is rarely done anymore it would seem the centrimatics ore in essence doing a complete high speed balancing of the whole wheel assembly.

Plus there is no time that the balancing is "off" and needs redoing.

The smooth as silk comment here is permanent. Would seem slightly safer as the tire is constantly under the same load gripping the road versus bouncing somewhat.

Ice cones to mind,,,,

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #28 – January 03, 2019, 03:15:38 pm

I've seen used centramatics for sale online. Can they become defective or is it better to buy new ones?
John M.

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #29 – January 03, 2019, 03:32:47 pm

On a previous set of tires that were balanced, the front tires went out of balance while I was on a trip, The weights did not fall off. The ride was bad enough that I took a look at the tires and found they were cupped.. I put on centramatics and that smoothed out the ride a little bit, but once a tire is cupped, it will never be smooth, After replacing those tires with new, I have not had a wear or cupping problem using centramatics.

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #30 – January 03, 2019, 04:05:17 pm

Quote from: John Morales – January 03, 2019, 03:15:38 pm

Can they become defective or is it better to buy new ones?
John M.

John,

Yes they can have problems, but very few. Several years ago Centramatic got a bad material run for the center plates. This caused a crack to form from one or more of the stud holes to the outer edge. (one of ours being one) They replaced both as a set (at no charge) rather than just the one that was cracked.

So to answer the other part of your question, I would not be afraid of a used set. If you ever go by the factory and get a tour you will see how well built they are and can ask any questions as to your concerns.

Mike

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #31 – January 03, 2019, 08:09:47 pm

I used them on one of my class 8 trucks, But just on the front. They worked fine so no complaints.

No one balances the drives on class 8 trucks.

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #32 – January 03, 2019, 08:19:14 pm

Quote from: bigdog – January 03, 2019, 08:09:47 pm

No one balances the drives on class 8 trucks.

I do

Ralph
96 U270

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #33 – January 03, 2019, 08:44:17 pm

None of the tire shops I used nor the Michelin tech at corp while an owner-operater even recommended balancing the drives. Was never an issue in 1.3 million miles. I averaged 250,000-300,000 miles per set on my drives. Mostly ran block tread Michelins on the drives. But used various brands of steer tire.

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Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #25 – January 03, 2019, 07:36:20 am

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #26 – January 03, 2019, 08:57:21 am

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #27 – January 03, 2019, 09:36:09 am

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #28 – January 03, 2019, 03:15:38 pm

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #29 – January 03, 2019, 03:32:47 pm

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #30 – January 03, 2019, 04:05:17 pm

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #31 – January 03, 2019, 08:09:47 pm

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #32 – January 03, 2019, 08:19:14 pm

Re: Centramatic balancers - would like to hear opinions

Reply #33 – January 03, 2019, 08:44:17 pm

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