Tire rotation and balance poll

Topic: Tire rotation and balance poll (Read 1954 times) previous topic - next topic

Tire rotation and balance poll

November 12, 2017, 09:41:12 am

Although there are many posts regarding rotation and balance details I thought a poll would help newbies determine more quickly what more experienced members do.

Thanks

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #1 – November 12, 2017, 09:47:34 am

Randy,

Not sure "decision by consensus" is always the way to determine "best".

But, a couple of points:

Always have the front tires being the best/newest, as a front blowout can be far more devastating than a rear.

If no unusual wear pattern, tire rotation is not needed. And, if unusual wear is observed, determine the cause as well as rotating the tires.

Several series of tires for coaches are unidirectional-- they are labeled with arrows showing the correct direction of rotation. All others may be reversed if desired.

Always have tires on one side of a dual of the same height (i.e. do NOT put a new and old tire on one side of a dual, as the "taller" tire will carry well more than its share of the load).

When/if you do rotate, be aware that with polished aluminum rims are not rotatable in most cases (only one side polished or for inners neither side polished) so tires must be dismounted to rotate.

Balancing:
Best, when discussing the front tires is to start by verifying run-out is less than .035". If more, remedy (rotate tire on wheel, wheel on hub, or best, have tires "trued". Tire truing is becoming a lost art, but is still practiced. Then spin balance front tires ON THE RIG. This insures that not only the tire and wheel are in balance, but also hub, brake drum/disk, etc.

Other methods include beads and Centramatic balancers.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #2 – November 12, 2017, 09:48:26 am

Some of us use the beads.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #3 – November 12, 2017, 09:54:31 am

We use Centramatics.
Tire Balancers, Tire Balancing, Wheel Balancer and Wheel Balancing from...

John

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #4 – November 12, 2017, 09:55:58 am

Tires are not one of the things I lose sleep over. Never had to rebalance or rotate. In most cases your going to time them out before you even start to ware them out. We full time and move quite a bit and only do 10K or so a year. Inspect and check the air before you roll and the tires will take care of you.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #5 – November 12, 2017, 10:11:37 am

Quote from: John and Stacey – November 12, 2017, 09:54:31 am

We use Centramatics.

X2 on Centramatics - install them and forget about balance problems. Rotation - not required if all tires wearing evenly.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #6 – November 12, 2017, 12:11:30 pm

Chuck,
When using the Centramatic Balancers are you using a total of 6, one for each wheel?
Thanks,
John M

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bO1DfQ5rOeY
How Centramatics work.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #7 – November 12, 2017, 12:19:12 pm

The centrimatics for the duals are different than from the front.

Two rear, two front.

Skip the initial balance. And any later. As was posted the tires are close enough to almost not need balancing new on most brands.

Everyone in the industry uses the same high tech machine to test their tires after manufacturing according to the Michelin people.

Double the sidewall pressure test. High speed. 150? Mph at double pressure hot?

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #8 – November 12, 2017, 12:28:18 pm

Chuck,
I answered my own question with the installation video. At the beginning of this video they did say that their could be a danger on the 22.5 wheels of the balancer rubbing on the valve stem. Those of you using this on the 22.5 wheels are you experiencing any issues?
John M.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=32St4EIARDE
Installation

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #9 – November 12, 2017, 12:30:11 pm

Quote from: John Morales – November 12, 2017, 12:11:30 pm

When using the Centramatic Balancers are you using a total of 6...

Like Bob says, you use one Centramatic balancer at each corner - total of 4 per coach. The front bowl-shaped balancers are clamped between the wheel and the mounting face on the hub. The rear ones, which are more "flat" shaped, clamp between the inner and outer wheel. The rear ones must be oriented so the valve stems are accessible through the two "windows" in the balancer. On the front, of course, this is not a factor.

There is no interference between balancer and valve stem on any of our wheels.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #10 – November 12, 2017, 12:38:19 pm

Your poll is wrong. Add beads or centrimatics to your poll

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #11 – November 18, 2017, 07:45:31 am

I use Centramatic balancers.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #12 – March 25, 2018, 12:42:30 am

I am replacing all 8 tires on Monday with Continentals. 275/80/22.5 H rated.

I don't want to buy or use Centramatics (time crunch) and don't want to use beads (tire pressure sensors).

Given the above, is there any advice on balancing only the two steer tires, or on balancing all 8 tires?

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #13 – March 25, 2018, 12:58:04 am

Depends on whether or not you are sensitive enough to notice the vibrations?

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #14 – March 25, 2018, 02:50:15 am

Don't rotate. Use beads, as local (small town) tire shop does not have a balancer for large tires. I have come to like beads so much, I use them in my pickups now.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #15 – March 25, 2018, 07:30:13 am

We use Centramatic balancers.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #16 – March 25, 2018, 08:11:47 am

Quote from: AC7880 – March 25, 2018, 12:42:30 am

I am replacing all 8 tires on Monday with Continentals. 275/80/22.5 H rated.

I don't want to buy or use Centramatics (time crunch) and don't want to use beads (tire pressure sensors).

Given the above, is there any advice on balancing only the two steer tires, or on balancing all 8 tires?

I have a Pressure Pro TPMS system. The beads my shop used came with a cage thats fits over the inner valve stem that keeps the beads out. Seems to work well.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #17 – March 25, 2018, 08:35:40 am

Had both sets of tires balanced when purchased and never have looked back. Got about another year on this set and they are fine. Continentals as listed above. Satisfied.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #18 – March 25, 2018, 10:41:44 am

I used to rotate, over the years it seemed to not make much difference in wear patterns if the front end & shocks were inspected.
Now days, I have the new tires forced-balanced and keep a close eye on tire pressure.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #19 – March 25, 2018, 12:42:14 pm

Never will use beads or similar internal floating balancing, including bolt on floating balancers.

Do have front spin balance with force feature simulating on the road pressure during balancing with glue on weights.

Rear tire spin balance is optional and probably not necessary.

Rotation may not be much value and is very difficult on our coaches. All wheels are different, front only polished on dished-out side, rear only polished on dished-in side, inner wheel is not aluminum. So to balance, tires have to come off, disturbing bead seal, balancing, lug over-tightening, etc. The benefits of rotation is hard to offset the big & potentially problematic job.

Use Pressure Pro TPMS which has 24/7 pressure monitoring, so while stationary will alarm for theft or slow leak, but most importantly can check cold tire pressure before departing, from inside, without disturbing tire sensor.

Friend with beads just checked tire pressure with gauge and his valve stem core did not reset, deflating tire, got going with with a screw on cap with a built in core. No-no to beads for us, even with a "screen".

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #20 – March 25, 2018, 10:47:03 pm

When I had my new tires installed At Firebird tire the use a "Hunter Force Match Hd computer balance diagnostic" (there is only two shops have this in AZ) to match the tire weight to the wheel weight, very little weight was used, nice smooth ride.
Need to what their video in how it works,
Steve

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #21 – March 25, 2018, 11:19:08 pm

I now use Walmart plastic BB as beads . Installed by debeading one side and pouring inside the tire. 14oz per 22 in tire . They are large enough to not interfere with the valve core or the TPS cell.
I did try the very small ceramic beads that pour into the valve stem but wound up debeading the tire to get it done the same day . They also make a mess but should act the same as any floating bead style system .

I first used them on the bus but now have added them to my tow /race van . 4oz per 16in. tire.
Very happy with e results. even tho I dont fully under stand why they work . MY Dad said that the same method is used to balance Allison turbines .

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #22 – March 27, 2018, 02:34:24 pm

I use Centramatic balancers. Have also used them on all my trucks for years. Tires wear smooth. No balance issues. The balancers last forever, just replace old tires and reuse balancers.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #23 – March 27, 2018, 06:59:54 pm

Our tires rotate every time we go somewhere.

Re: Tire rotation and balance poll

Reply #24 – March 28, 2018, 09:46:09 am

I use regular BBs. Never had any problems.

TOM

Affiliate Notice