Community Forums

zeeyaarv · 10-26-2013, 12:25 AM

Mounted new Alcoa wheels with 255/80r-22.5 Michelins two years ago. They placed Equal beads in front only. After 20k, no problems and great ride. Use TST TPMS sensors (non-flow thru). Also no problem.

vsheetz · 10-26-2013, 12:27 AM

Equal here. No problems. Smooooth.

gruelens · 10-26-2013, 01:29 AM

I just had 6 new tires installed five days ago at a large truck tire center. They had both powder and spin balance/weights available for the same price. The manager, with many years experience, recommended the spin balance for two reasons. First, on rare occasion they find a tire that is way out of balance by spinning it and as a result do not install it (usually the lower priced tires). Second, if the tire ever needs repair, the powder or beads is a big mess. Yes, different valves are used.

I chose spin/weights, but requiring little if any weight, my new Firestone FS560 Plus tires would have been perfect candidates for the beads or powder. (note ceramic beads are specially manufactured to have no abrasion to inner casing....... I have no idea what SS beads would do)

H. Miller · 10-26-2013, 04:55 AM

We use them - they work!
Can also be reused (we had all six 22.5" tires "broken down" for inspection and rotation). Beads were not disturbed and continue to work perfectly..

HD4Mark · 10-26-2013, 05:16 AM

We have them on the front tires only because they were changed road side so no balance machine available. When we had a rear changed due to a blow out we the same was done for the same reason. I asked the tech about them and she (yes she, about 100lb young kid that changed a tire like you can't believe) said she thought they were like snake oil. Well long story short we replace all four rear tires, the blow out replacement was a recap to get us home, and had the shop check the balance on the front. Everything was OK.

We did get red valve stem caps that are supposed to signify that there are balance beads inside. Anyone else get them? Nitrogen filled tires get green caps so what color do you get if you have both?

mytime · 10-26-2013, 06:07 AM

I installed 8-xza-2: 295/80/22.5 About a year ago and used the ceramic beads, 16 oz in each tire, 10,000 miles and smooth as a baby's behind,no scratched up rims,l have TPMS and not a problem. Works for me..

Markrving · 10-26-2013, 10:16 AM

Thanks for all the replys, Markrving

Papa_Jim · 10-27-2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruelens

I just had 6 new tires installed five days ago at a large truck tire center. They had both powder and spin balance/weights available for the same price. The manager, with many years experience, recommended the spin balance for two reasons. First, on rare occasion they find a tire that is way out of balance by spinning it and as a result do not install it (usually the lower priced tires). Second, if the tire ever needs repair, the powder or beads is a big mess. Yes, different valves are used.

I chose spin/weights, but requiring little if any weight, my new Firestone FS560 Plus tires would have been perfect candidates for the beads or powder. (note ceramic beads are specially manufactured to have no abrasion to inner casing....... I have no idea what SS beads would do)

Balancing powder requires different valve stems, and can sometimes clump up inside the tire, which can cause a little imbalance until the clump breaks up. The powder also makes a terrible mess when you break the tire from the rim.

Dynabeads are large ceramic beads that never clump, and do not require the use of different valve stems.

Jim

Dr4Film · 10-27-2013, 08:46 AM

Plus, besides what Jim stated, any decent tire shop that knows what they are doing will transfer the beads from the old tire to the new tire without losing a bead.

Had two new tires put on the cargo trailer while in Whitehorse Yukon on last years Alaska trip. They did just as stated without asking them.

I even had one trailer tire repaired while in Florida for an embedded nail where they placed a patch on the inside. They never disturbed the beads at all while repairing the tire. All I do is warn the company that there are beads inside and they all say "no problem, we can handle it".

People can do whatever they choose to balance their tires. I have run across individuals that do NOT balance any of the rears. I say it's their RV and their money, they can do as they choose.

However, this is a great place to demonstrate that there are other technologies that have been developed in all aspects of RVing that others may want to try.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

larryb484 · 11-02-2013, 09:32 PM

When I bought two steer tires 3 mos. ago they put in a powder for balancing. I'd rather not hit a pot hole and lose the weight and ultimately a have the tire start wearing. I see no wrong when the balance actually is for hwy speeds anyway and not slowing and starting. jsut my 2 cents
Larry

FastEagle · 11-02-2013, 10:37 PM

Most often things put into your tires other than air or nitrogen may void the tire's warranty. Here is a reference from Michelin. Look on page three under "what is not covered". If in doubt you can eMail your tire manufacturer for verification.

http://www.michelinman.com/mediabin/...omise_Plan.pdf

FastEagle

sswilson · 11-02-2013, 11:12 PM

I think they have a lot of things to void warranty and the beads could be the least of the problems. Best warranty is if you don't mount them or use them?

Murf2u · 11-03-2013, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastEagle

Most often things put into your tires other than air or nitrogen may void the tire's warranty. Here is a reference from Michelin. Look on page three under "what is not covered". If in doubt you can eMail your tire manufacturer for verification. http://www.michelinman.com/mediabin/...omise_Plan.pdf FastEagle

And if you read the second point under that same heading improper wheel balance is also an exemption. No manufacturer will warranty improper or lack of balance.

The whole point of the beads is that they constantly keep the tire IN balance by moving to where they're needed. Something a fixed hunk of lead can't do.

Dr4Film · 11-03-2013, 08:25 AM

How many RV Motor-Coach owners rotate their tires as specified by that Michelin document?

As one poster stated, it would be better NOT to mount any tire because their usage & expectations are outside of anyone's normal tire usage and common sense so Buyer Beware. Purchase your tires at your own risk!

I'll keep on doing what I've been doing as it works for me.

Those documents always end up in the circular file cabinet anyway. They have no useful purpose for ME.

FWIW, I have two Michelin's on my steer axle and four Bridgestone's on my drive axle all with Innovative Balancing Dyna Beads.

Dr4Film ----- Richard