Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Balancing New Tires (Read 662 times) previous topic - next topic

Balancing New Tires

I purchased Michelin X Line Energy Z LRH through Dave at National Tire.  Great prices!  The dealer who does the install uses beads to balance and said they can't put weights on the Alcoa rims.  Does that sound right?

And, I do not have and am not using Centramatics.

Thanks

Randy
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #1 –
I've had my Alcoa rims balanced when I purchased the new Michelin tires several years ago. They use "stick-on" weights on the inside of the rims. Not the normal "hammer on" lead kind used on steel rims.

I now use Centramatics.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #2 –
Dealer said they don't balance and they seem fine on smooth road if we can find roads w/o chuckholes. Previous tires were also not balanced.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #3 –
I run dyna beads in the two fronts I had replaced.  I run their smaller beads in my motorcycle tires.

Fleets
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #4 –
x2 on the Dyna Beads, smooth as glass. Jim.
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #6 –
Same here on Dyna beads.  Just pulled your same tire after 5 years due to a valve stem leak.  All the beads were still free flowing without clumping.  Most all recovered and reused.
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Dyna Beads, cure or snake oil: Dyna Beads: Miracle Balancing Cure or Tire Snake Oil?

Pierce
Pierce I 100% agreed with saying it's just snake oil. For years I was a strong believer that they do nothing and would actually make it more out of weight by collecting in the heaving point. I was even offered free beads and turned them down. When I purchased my coach the tire shop did not balance their products saying they didn't need it. Not having any choices I decided to give the beads a try. 16 ounces per tire. Today down on 40 I was still in amazement how perfectly smooth my coach is. 20-81mph I was wrong and willing to admit it But wait there is more, on my old dodge truck I commute in I had installed factory new takeoff tires and rims. They were real smooth but still would get a Harmonic shake like all the old trucks do with leaf springs. Put the beads in and substantially reduce the ride better than anything else I've ever tried. I'm purely function over form. they work! IMO

Amazon.com: ESCO 20462C Truck Tire Balancing Beads, 8 oz., Case of 24 Bags :...

Scott
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsd –
16 ounces per tire.
Scott

Just bought beads for my Harley tire on Monday.  Decided to get a spare pack for the coach tires too.  Innovative Balancing told me 10oz in a steer tire and 12oz in a dual tire.  16oz may be overkill, but hey, I'm sure it doesn't hurt.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #10 –
After reading the snake oil part,correct me if I'm wrong but could'nt you say the same for the concentrics?Seems to me the best
overall solution would be have the rims balanced and then get the beads.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John44 –
After reading the snake oil part,correct me if I'm wrong but could'nt you say the same for the concentrics?Seems to me the best
overall solution would be have the rims balanced and then get the beads.
That's what I did with the factory new tires and rims on the Dodge 3500 and I did see a improvement. I still to this day really dont know/understand how they work, But they do help. No need to explain. My coach was as smooth as silk on 40 yesterday west of flagstaff. Road was also perfect condition. So if you can prove snake oil works I guess ill buy it.
Scott

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #12 –
I have a friend with a Class A gasser, he had an annoying bounce at highway speed, his shop didn't want to balance his tires. I told him about Centramatics. he purchased a set for front and rear, had them installed and said it now rode smoother than it ever has.

He is sold on them.....
 
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #13 –
Quote from: John44 –
After reading the snake oil part,correct me if I'm wrong but could'nt you say the same for the concentrics?Seems to me the best
overall solution would be have the rims balanced and then get the beads.

https://youtu.be/_7CghNsdGbk
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #14 –
Not an "engineer" and not knocking the bb's but,if the beads are much smaller in size and weight the the bb's then you will get
a finer degree of balance,in other words the bb will not balance less then the weight of the bb.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #15 –
The beads are super cheap so I'm going to try them on our SUV. I bought a set of new Michelins and 18" wheels from a car that was totaled right after mounting the tires. It rides pretty smoothly but has a tiny bit of vibrations so will put a few ounces in and try it.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #16 –
Quote from: John44 –
Not an "engineer" and not knocking the bb's but,if the beads are much smaller in size and weight the the bb's then you will get
a finer degree of balance, in other words the bb will not balance less then the weight of the bb.
BB are marked .12 grams each .Youre correct tho .  Sand weighs less per item.  I had the little stuff clog up the stem.  I did try the tire powder balance.    The BB also are in my cycle . smooth .  Some things I dont know how they work and I hope not to have to learn    Like my cruise control .

 Yes the balance works exactly the same as the Centramatics .  Used on some jet engines also .
 

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #17 –
Pierce, the dyna beads should work fine in your SUV. They have issues in low profile tires due to the beads having to spread across the flat area of a low profile tire. there is a workaround on their website. Jim.
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc