active tire balancers

[BRayls]

what brand do you run? what did you like and dislike about it? try not to start bashing any brand.

 

[rbattelle]

I've got Centramatics. No complaints other than a tight fit. Can't determine any effects on tire wear at this point.



-Ryan

 

[TowPro]

Centramatics. I had a tire out of balance (vibration at 50mph on back). I never pulled the wheel weights off (so the tire is still balanced wrong) and the Centramatics fixed the problem.



Just be aware you might have to grind some casting flash off the front calaper mounts. A drill and stone (or even a file) will take care of the problem.



don't forget to remove the clips the factory uses to hold the rotors on also.

 

[JDubien]

Centramatics. I had a slight vibration at 62-63 mph. I left the balance weights on. All is well now. I have noticing the cupping is starting to go away with only 3k since the install. I didn't have to grind anything for my install. Overall, I'm very pleased.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Counteract Beads... . 8 oz. /tire, beads just dumped in without the bag. Running BFG 315/70/17s... new take offs from an H2. Using the H2 wheels as well. 8K miles so far and running real smooth. No detectable wear.



Mickey

 

[archer2500]

Has anyone tried the "Balance Masters" that were mentioned in Issue 51? They are supposed to use Mercury instead of BB's in oil. Not sure which is better. Any feedback?

 

[kscheffler]

I ordered a set of the balance masters and love them so far. Their instructions are not correct you need to install the "balance ring" outboard on the front in order to clear the calipers. They also have a 10 year warranty. The paint did flake off the area around the lug nut compression zone but the metal is galvanized steel but you should proable paint these units once in awhile to stay ahead of corrosion. I wonder if the centermatics have the same problem? Other than these issues they work great and don't make any noise. It is amazing how heavy each unit is I would guess 1. 5 to 2 pounds per unit so there must be close to one pound of mercury in each unit... .

 

[dclassens]

I have the inovative balancing product in a set of 315/75/16 cooper ATR and no vib so far. I balanced these tires with weights as well because imho, the balance beads do not work at speeds under 30 MPH. Rotate the tires with the truck on stands and you cn lightly hear the beads rolling around.

Dave

 

[MickeyMiller]

Beads working below 30 MPH? It's my understanding that the beads develop a static charge and cling together. In fact, Counteract recommends that you thump the ties with a hammer to free the beads up when you rotate the tires. This supposidly speed up the balance adjustment after rotation.



At least, that the theory I'm working on.

 

[EB]

Centramatics, they have definitely increased the tire mileage. I had a bad cupping problem on the front tires,especially on the left front, since I put them on with a new set of tires, with no weights, the tires are running smooth, no noticeable wear after 20,000 miles.

I tried the beads, didn't work for me.