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Liquid tire balancer question

April 19, 2018, 01:12:50 pm

1998 U-320 36' M11 Celect Plus

I am working through balancing options for new tires.

A few tire companies here that work with over the road trucks regularly use a liquid tire balancer inside the tires.  I know a lot of folks on the forums use Centramatic balancers.

Does anyone have experience with both, and what are your thoughts on each after using them?

Thanks,
Chris

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #1 – April 19, 2018, 01:33:54 pm

Best answer is to spin balance them on the coach (front tires).  Yes, it is still done, but it is an ART, so fewer and fewer places do it.

Why?  Because, one you can verify that the new tire/wheel/mounting is not out of round (run-out in excess of .035").  And balancing on the coach insures that ALL these rotating masses are in balance:  tire, wheel, brake disk or drum and hub.

Years ago, I found an "old timer" who did this (and trued the tire if more than .035" run-out).  I found him by going to the company who made the tire truing equipment (in Georgia as I recall). Got a list of those with the machine in my area.  Most just worked on racing car tires.  But, did find a truck shop that did it.  When first spun up, even after static balancing by the tire dealer, you could really feel it vibrate.  After he got pretty close, he pulled his trick of placing a glass of water on the bumper (yes the 1993 U240 has bumpers).  When there was no ripple in the glass, he was DONE.

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #2 – April 19, 2018, 01:50:15 pm

We got Centramatics on our coach when we took over stewardship.  Never having had anything else to compare, all I can say is they DO work.  The previous owner had the (new) tires spin balanced (using stick-on weights), then added the Centramatics for extra insurance.  Our coach runs dead smooth at any and all speeds up to "illegal" and beyond.

I would wonder about using a liquid balancer along with tire pressure monitor sensors.  Might plug up the sensors?

"Beads" and "bags" and (believe it or not) golf balls are also touted as balancing methods.  No experience with any of them...

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #3 – April 19, 2018, 03:29:41 pm

The beads are known to work as are all of the above solutions.
 I have not heard of liquid balance. What is the liquid and why would you use it over the beads or dynamic balance?

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Reply #4 – April 19, 2018, 04:03:25 pm

Thank you all for the replies.

Unfortunately nobody around us does wheel balancing in the manner Brett describes.

I've called around and folks around here haven't worked with the Centramatic style balancers, and don't have easy access to them.  They would increase the cost per tire quite a bit at this point.

The liquid balance I'm looking at is a product called KTB Tire Balance.  It's designed for tires 22.5" and larger.

Like beads it uses centrifugal force to balance the tire.  But it's supposed to help the tire run a little cooler, help keep tire beads pliable, won't absorb moisture if the air used to fill the tire has moisture, and won't cause wear or damage to the inside.  Folks that have used it on coaches have said they've had no issues with it fouling air valves or TPS sensors.

I'm leaning towards the liquid balance because I've had too many rim weights thrown, and have had the adhesive ones fall off in heat.

Chris

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #5 – April 19, 2018, 04:59:30 pm

I use BBs. Work like a charm!  It takes 14oz. for a 1200 x 22.5. There is a chart on the net with the correct amount for any tire.

TOM

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #6 – April 19, 2018, 05:45:40 pm

Chris,

Where are you-- perhaps someone has a "secret shop" that can do it right.

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #7 – April 19, 2018, 06:05:29 pm

I'm in Manassas, VA.


Off topic...

... where all the "secret shops" are code for "spies only".

I found that out one day when I went out to rent a satellite phone for a trip.  The satellite phone's website listed a local dealer with a show room.  I showed up to find an office suite tucked behind a corner with a solid oak door with a paper sign on it, a peep hole in the door, and a door bell.  The receptionist would not let me in and kept asking how I found out about their company and their location.

Needless to say, they didn't give me a satellite phone.

Chris

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #8 – April 19, 2018, 06:34:22 pm

One time I found 6 golf balls in each of the front tires of a 1990 grandvilla ,can't comment if they worked.

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #9 – April 19, 2018, 06:44:41 pm

Info on tire truing machine manufacturer-- yes, a couple of years old:

Tire Truing Equip:  Amermac Ellaville, GA 800 841-8065., TransMatic, Inc 16211 DE Zavalla Road

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #10 – April 19, 2018, 08:05:55 pm

I don't believe everything the company says.  Everything inside the tire has some negative properties that can never be learned from the company that sells them.

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Reply #11 – April 27, 2018, 03:23:31 pm

Spin wheel balance with lead only for me. I personally wouldn't put any thing inside my tire. We have used the balance rings but I still prefer spin balance and lead.. Get in the yellow pages for semi truck tire sales and you will find someone who will spin balance.

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Re: Liquid tire balancer question

Reply #12 – April 28, 2018, 10:23:51 am

I've been running the "beads" in my tires and have had great success.  I wouldn't recomend the liquid stuff as it really makes the tire guys angry when they have to change a tire!!  (messy stuff)  ----  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

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