Centramatic Wheel Balancers

[CToney]

I Just installed a set of set of Centramatics on my truck. I also put on a set of Cooper Zeon tires as well. I am quite pleased with both so far. 300 miles. No more vibrations at all. My shifter would vibrate a little but now it is steady. I have the factory chrome covered steel wheels. I used the 300308 balancers with the "B"'s on the front with the tube towards the rim and the "A"'s on the back with the tube towards the rotor. I have trouble with mud in my rims quite often as of late and took out a front wheel bearing because I lost a wheel weight last fall (hence the Dynatrac freespin). $214 seems not too bad for a set. I wish they would do a TDR discount. Now I can change my own tires as I don't have a balancer.



Just a little info as when I did a search I came up with very little info.



Does anyone else run Centramatics?



Chuck

 

[Slow Six]

I've been running them on my 03 for a long time. Tire wear is definitely improved and there is no cupping on the steering tires plus I have never had a balance problem. I have almost a 100,000Kms. on the Michelin M/S and I'll get this summer out of them. I do get a new set of tires balanced but I do not rebalance them after that. I don't bother rotating tires and so far that is working out as well.

 

[ENafziger]

I used the 300308 balancers with the "B"'s on the front with the tube towards the rim and the "A"'s on the back with the tube towards the rotor.

Interesting. I just ordered a set of the 300-308s too! They work great with my aftermarket wheels, but I can't get them to clear the factory wheels.

When I try to put the "Bs" on the front like you did with the tube toward the rim, the rim hits the wheel. Does yours have this problem?

--Eric

 

[seafish]

Interesting. I just ordered a set of the 300-308s too! They work great with my aftermarket wheels, but I can't get them to clear the factory wheels.



When I try to put the "Bs" on the front like you did with the tube toward the rim, the rim hits the wheel. Does yours have this problem?



--Eric

There is a spacer kit from Centramatic that is available (free of charge)... some ram trucks need the spacers, others do not. According to Centramatic, it is a crapshoot which trucks need them and which do not, even within the same year of manufacture. Give them a call

 

[tolmsted]

I got them, I love them. Even ware, no cupping. End of story.

 

[ENafziger]

There is a spacer kit from Centramatic that is available (free of charge)... some ram trucks need the spacers, others do not. According to Centramatic, it is a crapshoot which trucks need them and which do not, even within the same year of manufacture. Give them a call<!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Thanks... exactly what I was looking for!

--Eric

 

[CToney]

I have the tube towards the rim on the front and no spacer. ~1/8" clearance on the rim and the rotor. I have steel wheels. Next 50hp injectors but that is BIG $$$ for them but my fuel econ would go up. With them I would be able to hit 400hp on the dyno and get a nice Super B plate with 4 stripes. But I'm not a teenager anymore that fun stuff will have to wait.

 

[Soot4Life]

With the rattle of the Cummins you can't hear them. On my motor home the low speed noise of the beads is quite noticeable. They sure are sweet as the tires last forever and run smooth. If I was to do it again I would use balancing beads to save $.

 

[RAton]

Just installed on 06 SRW

Just installed the Centramatics on my 06 3500 SRW. Very easy install with my after market wheels. 40 minute job, even with detailing the wheels when they were off. My tires have always pick up rocks and I have a slight vibration at highway speeds. Hope these will eliminate that vibration and keep everything in balance even with a stray rock in the tire. Will post again after a drive on the highway.

 

[AHolt]

I have a set 6 month old with spacers.

I made my truck into a hot rod, so I don't

use them anymore.

 

[RAton]

Just return from 100 mile trip. Vibration in steering wheel gone. Wife even commented on how much better the ride is. I'll mark this down as a good purchase.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I have them on my truck and fifth wheel trailer. I put them on about 5 years ago and I've been very satisfied with them. Takes out a lot of vibration and the tires wear very well with no cupping or ragged edges.

 

[CToney]

Dynamic balancing is the way to go. I had used "Counteract" silica balance beads before to balance tires and now in the links on the TDR here there is "Dyna Beads" they are ceramic. Harder than silica. I always had problems with leaky tires before with the silica beads. I am going to try the Dyna beads in my '92 dually and in my stock trailer tires. I am sure they will work. I can do 12 tires with dyna beads for the price of 4 with centramatics. I really like the centramatics but my tires might outlast my '92 and I am sure it would be money well spent on my trailer too but I thought I would try and save a couple $$.

 

[Salt Dog]

Had them on for a few months now and they are great on the highway, smooth as glass. i did not need the spacers. They however were inlcluded anyway free of charge. Great product! should have done this from day one.

 

[DennyDay]

Centermatic

Been using them for about 10 years and never had a problem 'til last fall. Stopped at Centermatic south of Ft. Worth, they looked at them and asked when I bought them, I truthfully told them 6 years ago - - second truck I've had them on . . . their reply was bring it around back and pull in to open bay . . . they took the two I had already removed and took the two off the back, and replaced all four and installed them . . !



Great people

 

[Barry]

They did the same thing to me... ... ... ... . James took one off, held it up and shook it. Then threw it like a Frisbee across the shop towards the dumpster. I thought, O crap, what does that mean?????????????



He installed a whole new set... ... ... ... . swapped my OEM wheels and tires and installed my Rickson wheels and tires... ... ... ... .



In my head, I was thinking $200-$300 bucks... ... ... ... .....



The bill was $35



They are, in fact, great folks... ... ... ..... Next trip to Texas, I'm going see them again!

 

[Prairie Dog]

So what was wrong with them?

 

[Barry]

Beatsa... ... ... ... ... ... .



James said something about warranty... ... .....

 

[BRUTUS]

Centramatics after sale service

Had a problem with my centramatics on my 2001 truck.

Called their number (1-800-523-8473 ) and spoke with Jerry Robertson at the factory. He replaced all four with new ones, including the spacers! Free!

I get the impression that the variants in wheel structures, need for spacers/or not, and the resulting friction on the balancers are the main culprits. Ask Jerry before you buy.

Made in USA. Great product. Good service and problem resolution.

 

[EB]

Bought a set right after I got my 03 one ton dually, put 346,000 miles on it, kept the Centramatics and put them on my 07 cab and chassis. I now have over 356,000 miles on it and the balancers are still doing what they are supposed to do. Just put new tires on the truck Friday, got 87,000 miles out of 6 Pirelli STR. No cupping, treads flat and smooth, just worn out. Best money I ever spent.