Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Centramatic balancers (Read 1018 times) previous topic - next topic

Centramatic balancers

Does anyone have the model #'s for the front/rear wheels.

Thanks,
Bob
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #2 –
We just happened to have all our wheels off yesterday, while MOT refreshed our brakes.  I snapped a couple pics of the Centramatics, in case anyone is curious what they look like.  Our coach has always been extremely smooth going down the road, for what it is worth.

The "dished" one (on the left) is for the front, and the "flat" one goes on the rear between the duals.  When the tech was reinstalling one of the rear balancers, I noticed he placed it "one stud off" so that the inside valve stem would have been covered up and inaccessible.  Fortunately, I was watching and pointed out his error, saving us both some grief.  Other than that, I cannot say enough good things about my service visit to MOT.  It was our first time getting work done there, and I will definitely recommend them to Forum members.
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 balancers

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
We just happened to have all our wheels off yesterday, while MOT refreshed our brakes.  I snapped a couple pics of the Centramatics, in case anyone is curious what they look like.  Our coach has always been extremely smooth going down the road, for what it is worth.

The "dished" one (on the left) is for the front, and the "flat" one goes on the rear between the duals. 

Chuck - are yours stud piloted or hub piloted wheels (I wouldn't know the difference if someone didn't show me photos of each, and asking for educational purposes)?  Just asking for others since I noted Gary B's comment in the thread I linked - I suspect the Centramatics are going to be slightly different for the 2 different wheel styles. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #4 –
600-630's  and 600-640's will fit both stud and hub piloted hubs. That is the reason they have a large set of holes and a small set of holes in the mounting plate.

Pamela & Mike

Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Chuck - are yours stud piloted or hub piloted wheels...
Thanks, Mike, for that clarification on the balancers!

Michelle: I am also not clear on the difference, and truthfully I don't know what type wheel is on our coach.  Perhaps Mike can explain?

Here is what our hubs look like (note the shiny new rotor, new pads, new slide pins, and helper springs on the rear):
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 balancers

Reply #6 –
Chuck,

You should have stud piloted (other wise known as Budd wheels where the taper on the lug nuts centers the wheel).  Somewhere at the end of the '97 or early '98 IIRC they went to hub piloted. (the wheel is centered on the axle by a machined surface).

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #7 –
hub piloted wheels have a nut with a flange that contacts the rim with a flat surface.  The hub piloted wheels only have right hand thread nuts.  Stud pilot are left hand and right hand thread, the taper on the nut centers the wheel.  On the rear there is an outer nut and an inner nut (outer stud) with a square end.  Stud pilot wheels have a larger tapered hole for the stud however they both have ten studs in the same diameter circle. 
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #8 –
Just another thought,got new tires in June and have a few thousand miles on them,my friend who installed them put a 1 lb bag
of balancing beads in each tire,running smooth and no problems.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #9 –
I have the bags as well, they do work and are cheaper initially however the centrematics are lifetime and don't matter if tires are changed or rotated .  Bead bags only work as long as that tire is on that rim, once you dismount the tire you need new beads. If you have beads make sure the valve is at the top of the tire so the beads move to the bottom to prevent blasting your hand when you remove the valve core.  Please be sure to inform your tire service techs if you have the beads installed.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #10 –
Have heard that before and have been pondering it and I can't imagine how the beads are going to get anywhere near the valve stem area,seems to me they will sit on the bottom of the tire.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
We just happened to have all our wheels off yesterday, while MOT refreshed our brakes.  I snapped a couple pics of the Centramatics, in case anyone is curious what they look like.  Our coach has always been extremely smooth going down the road, for what it is worth.

The "dished" one (on the left) is for the front, and the "flat" one goes on the rear between the duals.  When the tech was reinstalling one of the rear balancers, I noticed he placed it "one stud off" so that the inside valve stem would have been covered up and inaccessible.  Fortunately, I was watching and pointed out his error, saving us both some grief.  Other than that, I cannot say enough good things about my service visit to MOT.  It was our first time getting work done there, and I will definitely recommend them to Forum members.
Thanks for the picture, I didn't know I had Centramatics was curious about the spacer between my duals. Another item Ron must have put on the coach.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #12 –
Beads vs Centramatics . I had this choice this summer when new tires were due.  Chose Centramatics.  Very pleased with their performance.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #13 –
Thanks to all for the wheel "type" clarification.  Now I know!  Our wheels are "stud piloted"...just like our coach!  :dance:
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 balancers

Reply #15 –
How the beads get to the valve stem is the very same principal as a bead blaster or sand blaster. The fine beads are picked up in the rushing air and follow it out. Closer they are to the valve the easier it happens. My bead bags came with a red valve cap to help signify that beads were installed.

Had I been in a better financial position at the time I would have bought centrematics. Hopefully next time.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Centramatic balancers

Reply #16 –
I think you have seen different beads then the ones I saw.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.