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Balancing New Tires

Yahoo Message Number: 77797
Looking at getting some new tires shortly. While pricing them by all sources, a couple of companies have recommended using "BALANCING BEADS" instead of the normal balancing weights. Has anyone here gone with the "BEADS" and your opinion.

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77799
Call Bob Dickman at Les Schwab tires in Junction City and ask the experts what they think. They supplied and mounted all the tires for CC. TWI 2004 intrigue 11731

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77801
stay away from the powder like substance that some tire companies use. The stuff can interfere with the air valves. Many truck companies have started using a liquid version. Given the choice, that is what I would use. (Sorry, I don't know the name of the liquid stuff.)

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77802
Equal is the stuff that is bad, it is inserted into the tire as it is placed on the rim, the bag breaks apart after a few miles allowing the contents to spread around the inside of the tire. While Equal does work as a balancing agent, it also can clog your air valves if you don't have special filters placed over the valve stem (internal to the tire) to prevent the problem. The better solution is to use KTB. http://ktbproducts.com/index.html
(We had a long discussion about this situation at one of the "tech sessions" among CC Nor'Easters a few years ago....I found the reference to KTB inside an old Nor'Easters club newsletter.)

-skip-

2000 Magna 5778

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77803
I think they recommend BALANCING BEADS because it's easier, or they don't have the equipment to spin balance those big tires. JMHO...

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77807
Dave,

I bought Michelin 295 tires for my 2005 Inspire and used balance beads in them. I am happy with the balance but you have to be careful when checking tire pressure. The beads or dist from them will prevent the air valve from resealing when the pressure gage is removed. The solution to this is to add air which blows the valve seal clean.
Bob

2005 Inspire
51394

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77812
Thanks for that info..if I understand you, a blast of air into the tire then measure pressure...correct?

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77821
Yes a blast of air will clean out the valve before checking the pressure.
Another fix is to replace the valves with a different valve that has an internal filter to keep the balance beads and their dust out of the valve seats.
The website that sells the beads also sells the filter valves. I think they are in Rochester NY .
Bob

2005 Inspire 51394
Auburn, Cal

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77824
Don't like balancing beads

Robert & Chee Chee Huffhines
2007 Tribute #81042
2006 Jeep Liberty



[size=0px]
From: Larry F

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 12:52 PM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Balancing New Tires

I think they recommend BALANCING BEADS because it's easier, or they don't have the equipment to spin balance those big tires. JMHO...

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

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Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77845
Dave,

I will NEVER again be talked into using anything but spin balancing.
Local Les Schwab dealer (who didn't have the capability to spin balance large tires) talked me into using "EQUAL" for balancing on our SOB. Thank God I only did the fronts. Checked tire pressure before we left Renton, WA area. When we got to Caldwell, ID, for fuel, R front had lost 1/2 it's air. The equal had plugged the valve partially open when I checked the pressure. Had to demount both fronts to clean the stuff out and replace the tire. Had no way to determine how much/or if the tire had been damaged. That coach did not have Smartire.
Brad Ward

2000 Magna 5916

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77848
Agree. If the tire dealer can't do a normal spin balance, buy somewhere else.

Mike Cebula

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77849
I installed Centramatic balancers on all 4 corners and they work as advertised.

Centramatic.com

Watch the demo video.

Charlie

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77853
Totally agree: I used balance masters on each wheel. More expensive than balancing but best money spent since I have had coach 8 yrs. No shimmy or shake, and a much better ride. No need to dismount tires. Barrie Boas 94 Concept 5111

Re: Balancing New Tires

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77854
I've seen the boys at Les Schwab in Junction City rotate the tires on the rims a number of times to reduce the needed weights and variation in radii.
Its a lot work muscling a 315 or 12R tire, but they seem to get the job done with precision and enthusiasm. They also put most of the weight inside the rims. I've been fortunate in 14 years of motor homing of having only thrown one weight. TWI 2004 intrigue 11731