AntiFreeze in tires to aid balance.

[moparguy]

I read a post recently where antifreeze was added (after all wheel weights were pulled) to internally balanced tires.



I had started to notice a little vibration and didn't have time to go to the tire shop prior to a 800 mile round trip last weekend. I decided to give the cheap internal balance idea a try.



It worked great. I didn't pull the weights, just removed the valve cores, using a funnel and hose I added 6oz. of 50/50 mix to each tire.



My only concern now is the possibility for rust developing in the wheel, I may add some type rust inhibitor.



Now, someone tell me how this works... ... please.



Thanks, RJR

 

[John - K5AWO]

First, centrifugial force will sling the antifreeze to the outer perimeter of the tire when the wheels are turning fast enough.



Initially, the amount will be equally spread around the tire. When the speed increases enough to cause the out-of-balance situation to become a factor, the tire will hop towards the heavy spot.



That motion towards the heavy spot will sling the fluid in the opposite direction until the out-of-balance condition is neutralized.



This is a neat thing to have happen. The balance of the tire changes with speed, and a fixed weight is just an approximate thing that will work at one speed only. And that, if you will, was most likely not a loaded condition, but rather in free air on a tire balancer.



Typically a 1/4 ounce out of balance is livable. Beyond that, you will notice it very quickly.



Leaving the weights on gives you a wheel/tire combo that is close to approximate balance. The fluid will dynamically balance the wheel for you after that.

 

[Cooker]

Counteract Balancing Beads and Equal are two products that will accomplish the same task and you will not have to worry about rust. Just thought I would throw this option out there if you are interested.

 

[moparguy]

Thanks John, it was the, how the liquid/weight gets to the proper location to cause the dynamic balance to be achieved that was killing me.



Cooker, I have long considered Counteract Beads, I've no doubt they work from reports others have made, however I do like the free (well almost) aspect of antifreeze. I'll likely leave things alone and see what happens.



One advantage to a liquid is no need for filtes or other measures on the valve stem.



Of course, something like transmission fluid would do the same thing without the concern of rust.



Thanks, RJR

 

[Jeff H]

I worry about that stuff eating away at the rubber. Especially any thing that is petrolium based. Think that would include atf. Don't know about antifreeze?

 

[Chipstien]

Would anti-freeze react with aluminum wheels?

 

[WadePatton]

I thought antifreeze had all sorts of corrosion inhibiting additives included--for things like cast blocks, aluminum heads and brass radiators.



Finally someone explains how the dynamic balance works--be it fluid or powder. Thanks!



Oh, and tractor wheels/rubber last quite a while with fluid in them. Hmmm, maybe a source for some dynamic balance material... I'm sure the plow won't notice.

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by WadePatton

Oh, and tractor wheels/rubber last quite a while with fluid in them.

On the farm our tractors that had chloride in the tires also had a tube. Apparently the rubber holds up ok, but I would not want the chloride in contact with the wheels.

 

[WadePatton]

Me got dumb for a minute. And if I hadn't parked on the far side of the field, I'd go check for tubes on my little tractor. I'm pretty sure it's tubeless.



But you're right ---Potassium Chloride --a form of salt which does eat valve cores and other metal.

 

[moparguy]

Jeff H, since posting I've had the same thought about the petrolium affecting the rubber. Kinda wished I hadn't posted that thought after a moments reflection.



So "DO NOT ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID TO YOUR TIRES" it may be OK, but if not, it could be bad.



RJR

 

[Dieselnutz]

I think methanol is used in tractor tires now. The green slime leak repair is suppose to balance the tire also. I think i will order balance beads.

 

[SRadke]

Our neighbor just put antifreeze in one of his tractor's tires for weight. It's heavier than water and like mentioned above it has a bunch of corrosion inhibitors in it unlike the calcium chloride that is the norm for the application. Downside is it gets a little spendy to buy 200 gallons of antifreeze just to dump it in your tires.



-Scott

 

[JDougherty]

would fix a flat and other "instant flat repairs" create the same result?

 

[nickleinonen]

how about brake fluid in the tire instead of antifreeze? it is rubber safe, shouldn't rust/corrode the wheel... although it'll probably strip the paint off a painted wheel...

 

[Pawpaw]

Originally posted by JDougherty

would fix a flat and other "instant flat repairs" create the same result?

NO!!!



Fix-a-flat hardens like concrete. Trying to get that crap off a wheel so you can mount a new tire without leaks is an exercise in frustration that is guaranteed to elicit some choice curse words.

 

[SRadke]

I don't know about "fix a flat" specifically but we use a product called fiberseal that doesn't harden. It does sludge up but adding water will cut it right back to a liquid. It's good stuff. I would never use it to balance tires however.



-Scott

 

[pwknapp]

My tire store always asked if you wanted the wheel weights or 'Equal'. I always opted for the Equal even in my trailer tires. I think it works great and maintains proper balance as the tire wears. Just be sure to tell the repair guy if you get a flat.

 

[GWoody]

I got a good one for ya, some of the older retired guys near here got to talkin one mornin drinkin coffee down at the cafe, and they all decided that if they would put helium in their tires they would get better gas mileage. Last word I got was an increase of 2 mile per gallon, doubt it's true but I sure got a kick out of it.

 

[Jeff H]

Cenex stuff?

So how much should a guy put in each wheel? I have 285/75's

What is Cenex using to balance tires? Some one i know had mentioned some sort of liquid or gell. Just don't know what it is.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Regarding tractor tires:



Yes, The Potassium Chloride is what WAS used. As mentioned - methanol is used now - but if you use it in tubeless tires, you need to add a rust/corrosion inhibitor. The mix of water/methanol is about 5-1 - depending on where you live (how cold it gets).



Antifreeze is the CHEAPEST thing to add to a tire - why - cause the EPA doesn't want the stuff on the ground and you can get it at most junkyards for FREE!!!!



As long as you test for corrosion inhibitors you will not need to add anything to the antifreeze. Yes, the corrosion inhibitors do get used up.



Dan