Community Forums

smlranger · 07-11-2017, 03:53 PM

Do you folks spin balance your wheels with the Centramatics? I have them on my steer axle but the wheels were spun balanced before putting on the Centramatics.

bneukam · 07-11-2017, 04:52 PM

Yes, all the tires were balanced with weights, then rechecked again today. What I find interesting is that they were balanced when new. Now just a few hundred miles, and the amount of weight changes. I think every balance machine is a little different.

TeJay · 07-11-2017, 06:57 PM

This is JMHO!!!

If a balance machine is calibrated the only possible difference in weights would be the operator or some wear in the tires. It's a machine subject to electrical, mechanical or operator error.

My experience with CM's is they balance every time the spin. You eliminate both machine errors.

CM's do have some limitations. If your tires would require a greater than normal amount of weight to be balanced then the CM's may not handle it. They told me and several others if your tires have been computer balanced just add the CM's and leave the weights on. The CM's will take over and do the rest.

Mr_D · 07-11-2017, 08:28 PM

I discovered I have them on my front wheels, they are pretty well hidden due to the wheel width (10")

Smitty77 · 07-12-2017, 09:30 AM

bneukam - Look forward to you thoughts after you get a few thousand miles on them.

I bought them direct too, and a real nice gent (Think his name was Clay?) - answered all of the questions I had accumulated before calling.

I remain glad I have them. Amazing how a slight out of balance wheel can wear out suspension components.

Travel safe, have fun, and best to you and all,
Smitty

Mike_Harriet · 07-13-2017, 08:44 PM

Installed ours 6,000 miles ago and love them. Tire shop that installed them did say if the tires are too far out of balance they won't take all the shake out, but if balanced, or at least close, they do a great job. The shop installed mine and I insisted they not balance the front first. Ran the bus, smooth as glass! Brought it back, had front balanced and still smooth, maybe a bit more??, subjective opinion. Bottom line-won't drive without them.

2-Nickels · 07-13-2017, 10:55 PM

I think I would have liked to have these installed. Les Schwab in Eugene refused to put them on so I went without. We'll see if I change my mind.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It has been very interesting.

Mr_D · 07-14-2017, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I discovered I have them on my front wheels, they are pretty well hidden due to the wheel width (10")

I should also add I had the tires and new internal SmarTire sensors installed at Bob Dickmans Les Schwab in Junction City. They never said a word about the Centramatics on the fronts.
The last two MH's have taken 500 ft lbs on the lugs as molded into the edge of the nuts themselves. Might even be the last three MH's but I don't remember that long ago.