Wheel Balancers

[BHiggins]

Anyone have any experience with the wheel balancing discs such as BalanceMasters or Centramatic? I've read about how they work, with a viscous liquid (usually mercury) inside a sealed channel welded to a disc which you bolt on inside your wheels. Supposedly they constantly adjust to changes in tire speed, road surface, rocks or snow stuck in your tread, etc. It seems like a great idea, but if so why isn't everybody using them from the factory? Anyone have 'em that can give me a heads up BEFORE I shell out the $$.

 

[DonTX]

From my personal experience with them, I say YES they are worth the money. I first bought a set of Centramatics for my Kenworth. I loved them for hundreds of thousands of miles, kept them and put them on my GMC Highway bus when I sold the Kenworth. In my opinion, there is NO downside, and the upside is ALWAYS having totally balanced tires. If I were a new vehicle manufacturer, I would install them at the factory. Oo.

 

[BHiggins]

Don,

Thanks for the input, I think I'm going to go with the Centramatics over the BalanceMasters. I like the idea of using actual weights in with the fluid as opposed to just fluid. I have a dually and I'm going to get them for the front first to see if I like them, then maybe I'll splurge and get a set for the rears.

 

[tugboatphil]

Brian,



Please keep us advised on your results. I can't afford them right now, but was wondering if they were worth it. My front end eats tires like candy.

 

[Greenleaf]

For the school bus fleet, the drivers pick up things in the duals like opposum/skunk/groundhog and coon.

 

[cerberusiam]

the drivers pick up things in the duals like opposum/skunk/groundhog and coon

Would that be the school lunch "meals on wheeles" program? :-laf :-laf

 

[Greenleaf]

Todays Special;



"Grilled" Opossum... ... ... ... ..... get it... ... . "grilled"

 

[Sri Ram]

groan… :-laf

 

[DonTX]

Since we are that far off topic anyway, here is one of my creations, with the 6 Perlux lamps glowing I could spot and cook my road kill before I even hit it!

 

[DonTX]

Lost the darned photo

 

[Sri Ram]

I'm also interested in these wheel balancers. Does anyone know of any that do not employ mercury? Perhaps a fluid mixed with ultra-fine sand?

 

[RWWinslow]

I have Centramatics on my FL-60 Freightliner and the results are fantastic. I have 110,000 on a duelly set of drivers with balancers and fuel mileage also improved with these balancers. I do not believe that the Centramatics have mercury in them anymore. . . could be wrong . . . might want to check with the company.

 

[BHiggins]

Centramatic's website says they use a "ballast media" similar to lead but harder, in a synthetic lubricant base... no mercury. I don't like the idea of using mercury either. If the balancer ever does fail, I don't want to be slinging poisonous mercury all through my neighborhood.

P. S. That's one nice coach you got there Don!

 

[Greenleaf]

WOW. Nice is right.

 

[DonTX]

Thanks for the compliment BHiggins, I no longer have it. It was 8V71 Detroit powered, and always ran fine. Now I have a Cummins that won't even start, photo below. It ain't a Dodge!

 

[R C Cola]

New Centramatics ! !

No mercury in these. Definite improvement over newly balanced tires.

No more funny patterns on my front tires. Hi-miles drivers should not postpone since the improved miliage will pay for the unit cost. In my case about one year will do it. Worth buying for the improved balance and ride feel. R C

 

[BHiggins]

OK, I just ordered the Centramatics for the front and was told they should be here next week. I'll post my opinion once I receive and install them.

 

[Sri Ram]

I emailed centramatic re contents of their product. Here is their response: "10 weight synthetic moly oil appox. 4 to 6 oz. s

hardened alloy b b 's"