Centramatics or balancing beads?

[Swamp Donkey]

I am thinking a set of centramatics would be a good idea. I go through a couple sets of tires a year, and have 2 sets of rims. (Summer & Winter) But there seems to be mixed reviews on the centramatics and some say the balancing beads are better. But for a one time cost, I again like the centramatics.

 

[JKinney]

I bought mine during the group buy. I rotate my own tires. This is the first set of tires Ive had that have worn straight across the tire. The ride has been great with absolutly no vibration. I have had them for 1. 5years. The beads still roll smoothly inside the balancer. I would purchase them again.



You will need the spacers!

 

[Mishkaya]

Tried both the beads and the Centramatics, ended up using just the centramatics as I like the results better, and also use summer/winter tires; not to mention not having to worry about adding beads each time I get a flat which happens more than I care to mention.

Mishkaya

 

[Swamp Donkey]

JKinney,



What spacers are you talking about? The less stuff I have "stacked" up on my wheel studs the better.....

 

[troll3193]

I tried DynaBeads , from Innovative Balancing in my 04 quad cab with BFG rugged trail T/As... had a very bad experience and had to have them removed and go back to lead weights. .



I love the idea, but costly experiment in my case. .



Innovative does sell these valve caps called "Alligator V2B Double Seal Valve Caps" that I love. Have them on everything...



Bryan

 

[JApol]

JKinney,



What spacers are you talking about? The less stuff I have "stacked" up on my wheel studs the better.....

I believe on your 04. 5 you will need a spacer to keep the centermatic off the caliper. I think your other truck will clear with out.

 

[Bertram65]

I have 8oz of Dyna beads in my 285/70/17 Toyos they work great, I put them in when I mounted the tires with the easy open bags. These tires with no weight and the beads run smoother than the factory BF Goodrich rugged trails.

 

[JKinney]

SPACERS, I am not familiar with 3rd gen trucks, but When you get your centramatics and put them on the hubs, when you go to put your aluminum wheel on the centramatic might hit the rim. (only in the front) If it hits they will send you a spacer about 1/8" thick that will go on between the centramatic and tire. They sent me 4 spacers and I only needed two, so I do have two in stock that I would donate to anyone if they needed them.



They also come in sets of a and b a for front b for rear, and they are a little different. On the 2nd gen, the rear balancers go on the front and vice versa.



As far as more stuff being stacked, I was concerned but it no longer concerns me, as things run real smooth.



I also had to grind the forge markings off my calipers. there was quite a thread on this in august of 05, that really discussed centramatics, that is when the group buy was running.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I like my centermattics but Warpig keeps telling everyone he puts sugar in his tires :-laf :-laf

 

[kscheffler]

I purchased Balance Master and would not be without. I have 255/85/16 Toyo M55 and no lead on the rim and the Balance Masters spin them smooth no problems...

 

[McLaughlin]

Like my centermatics. I didn't need spacers on my 97 but have heard some of the newer trucks have had problems with spacing, particularly when using factory aluminum rims.

Wear on my tires is even but didn't remove the previous weights ( to lazy). If you get them make SURE you check the lugs after a few hundred miles as directed in the instructions.

 

[Spooled-up]

I've had great luck with the Innovative Balancing Beads both on a set of 35" Toyo M/T's and my 33" Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's that I still have, but are not on the '07 right now. I'd use them again, but like Mishkaya said, getting flats is the major drawback to them. You need to keep a spare set with you in case you get a flat.

 

[Sled Dog]

Got the beads, thinking of going to the weights. On the chance the ride will be smoother.

 

[sdstriper]

Anyone try these yet?



http://www.taabs-int.com/

 

[Oil Burner]

Really liked the centramatics on my old '01. Might get them for the dually too.



I did need a spacer with the aluminum rims.

 

[steved]

I tried DynaBeads , from Innovative Balancing in my 04 quad cab with BFG rugged trail T/As... had a very bad experience and had to have them removed and go back to lead weights. .



I love the idea, but costly experiment in my case. .



Innovative does sell these valve caps called "Alligator V2B Double Seal Valve Caps" that I love. Have them on everything...



Bryan

I had good luck with powder in a set of 265s once, but then had a HORRIBLE experince with powder in my 315s... but that might have been the tires.



steved

 

[Warpig]

I like my centermattics but Warpig keeps telling everyone he puts sugar in his tires :-laf :-laf

Lol..... I just noticed the Pontiff's post (TMTT). I have Counteract balance beads http://www.counteractbalancing.com/ in my tires. I used one 4oz. bag per tire 285's with filtered valve stems. They work awesome, and have been working flawlessly for over 40,000 miles. When I buy new tires I will definitely use the same. Some people say that you have to be carful when airing tires due to moisture. I use the local gas station (moist) air with no problems.



Tim

 

[steved]

Lol... . Some people say that you have to be carful when airing tires due to moisture. I use the local gas station (moist) air with no problems.



Tim

I never had problems with moisture or un-filtered valve stems in my 265s... the balancing beads worked well. But for some reason, the beads in the 315s sucked.



steved

 

[skobylenski]

I drove my truck for the first 13k miles after buying it (with 73k on it), then installed the Centramatics. What a HUGE difference. Took almost all the highway-speed shake out of the steering wheel, and also stopped my front end from bouncing when braking. After putting 15k on them, I feel they were well worth the money.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

I just ordered some Centramatics. I also just recently mounted some 285 BFG A/T's and they are a heckuva lot rougher and shake at highway speeds compared to my stock 265 tires. Anyway, I've heard glowing reviews of the Centramatics so I'm gonna try 'em out. I also put 3-4K miles a month on my truck so having to pay for tires to be rotated and balanced every 5K miles would get expensive.



I'll keep the Centramatics for as long as I'll have my truck, so they will easily pay for themselves in rotate & balance bills alone. I'll post my results on here once I install 'em.



Shawn