Centramatic Wheel balancers

[JTBMC]

Howdy Guys,

I have a question about my Centramatic wheel balancers I just recieved today.

I was under the impression when I ordered them that they were made of alumium, however mine are galanized sheet steel with some rather funky spot weldings holding the tubes with the bb's in them to the flat flange with the lug bolt holes in it.

Are these what others have recieved. I ordered on the morning of the 28th and recieved them on the 30th, wow super fast shipping but the craftmanship is kinda cheap more so on the rear balancers.

I went with Centramatic over the Balance Masters as they are made of steel.

My truck is a 1999 3500 4X4 Quad Cab

Thanks, TJ

 

[Mishkaya]

mine are made of aluminum, and no welds on them. Makes me wonder if you got something else?

mishkaya

 

[SBettencourt]

Check out This Centramatic page. It descibes the construction you have. It is supposed to enhance thermal performance. I thought I saw other types of construction somewhere else on their website also but I couldn't find it yet.



Did you purchace directly from Centramatic?

 

[gmsboss1]

Went to the Centramatic site. On the "Technical Info" page, the video "How it's Made" audio says the balancing fluid and "medium" are contained in an aluminum tube, but the mounting plate to which it (the aluminum tube) is attached may be galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, depending on the application... .

 

[4xquadrod]

I think mine for the 03 were all aluminum. Other then the way they look through my wheels, I like them.

 

[JTBMC]

Good Morning Guys,

Yes I purchashed direct from Centramatic, their service is second to none, IMHO. My Balancers are galvanized sheet metal with an aluminum ring holding the balancing media. That is the construction material used for the 3500 or 1 ton application according to Centramatic to help disipate heat. OK, the set I recieved the next day for my 3/4 ton 2500 4X4 are totaly made of aluminum are smooth all around with no sharp edges and look very good. The galvanized set are ok but have sharp edges where the mounting tabs are spot welded to the flange to hold the Aluminum ring in place that holds the balance media.

They look like, well anyway, but boy do they work I have lost the viberation in the steering wheel & 95% of the hop from the rear end.

Thanks, TJ

 

[MMcfall]

New to the site and just wanted to make an observation - Been monitoring the site for a little less then a year and this topic pops up from time to time. Had a set of Centramatics a few years ago and they were pricey but worked fine. One thing that I have been running in my tires for half a dozen years or so has been the liquid/gel puncture sealants.



I have the tires mounted and balanced normally, and then add the recommended amount of sealant (now using SLIME) for the size of tire. Not only does it provide the "fine" balance that the other two externally mounted balance rings provide but adds an extra level of safety in being able to seal small punctures that would/could have left me stranded a time or two. The other "up-side" is that I can seal a set of four 265x75x16s and a set of four 215x75x15's for less then $30. Principle of the spinning weight inside a ring balancing the tire is the same as the sealant spinning inside the tire itself and providing the balance.



Only down side is that it is a little messy if you do have to dismount the tire for a permanent patch or to change out a set, and if the vehicle sits for a few days it takes a mile or two for the sealant to balance out again, then its smooth as silk.



Just offering an option that has worked for me, someone else may have a different experience or opinion.

 

[SBettencourt]

The Slime idea sounded decent so I went over to their web site to check it out further. Ive seen it around for years but never really gave it a second thought (will get some for emergency use though).

Anyway, they do not recommend it for use over 65mph and state that it can cause severe vibrations when used as a preventative measure. As with everything YMMV but if it doesn't work, it would have to be cleaned out of the tire. I didn't see if they offered a high speed solution.

 

[Dieselnerd]

The Centramatics I have on my 3500 SRW are all aluminum. They should work better with my forged aluminum wheels since they tended to stick to the steel hubs. I'm hoping the wheels won't stick to the Centramatics. I'll know the next time I rotate tires.

 

[MMcfall]

I think the "Slime" guys are prudently doing some CYA to limit potential product liability. All I can say is that I follow the instructions as to how many oz. of product to add for a given size tire. I normally don't travel more then 70 (usually run 65 on the interstate and get 22-24 mpg), but occasionally when passing by/thru big cities, have to run 80-85 just to keep up with traffic flow, and have run to over 100 a time or two (just to do an after maintenance flight check so to speak) and things are always smooth, smooth, smooth. Not sure how the slime would do over several hundred miles at 80+ mph, but like a say I don't normally run there anyway.



Like I said, stuff works for me - may not work for everybody.

 

[SBettencourt]

UPS just delivered my steer axle Centramatics! Will be installing Saturday morning, weather permitting.

 

[4xquadrod]

The Centramatics I have on my 3500 SRW are all aluminum. They should work better with my forged aluminum wheels since they tended to stick to the steel hubs. I'm hoping the wheels won't stick to the Centramatics. I'll know the next time I rotate tires.

I wonder if applying a small amount of something,... like anti sieze, if it would help the sticking problem.

 

[mbhw]

I got some SLIME for by bike tires. I read on the label that it is for tube tires only. Are we talking about the same stuff here ??

 

[MMcfall]

If you go to the slime web site you will see that they make several different formulas.