Tire Balancing

[Eddie Foy]

I noticed that my steer wheels and the outer duals have no weights. The inner duals have weights. Since the coach rides very smoothly, I am guessing that the steer wheels have powder or beads in them. Maybe the outer duals also.

Anyone use the powder or bead system?

[Onaqwest]

I use Dyna Beads and have for years.

[JerryForwood]

I installed Equal in mine with new tires last spring. Only 3K miles last year but very satisfied with the ride.
Jerry

[Craig P.]

Eddie,

I just had my front tires rotated to the rear inner duals due to a tread wear pattern caused by a mis-aligned front end. When I asked the shop to balance all six tires during the rotation, the shop owner said I would be wasting my money. He said no one ever balances the rear axle wheels because it’s not needed. Not sure if this is 100% true or not, but he would have made more $$ if he hadn't advised against it.

Is it possible that your rear inner wheels were rotated with your front axle wheels at some point? Just a thought...

Craig

[GaryKD]

Hi Craig,
Many suggest the rear duals do not need to be balanced. When asked, the only reason I've been told is nobody will "feel" the tires are out of balance because nobody rides in the back. I have always balanced all the tires on a coach. The bottom line is I'm the one who pays for worn suspension parts. Tires out of balance can cause accelerated wear of suspension components.

[AFChap]

I just bought new rear tires at a "Best One" truck tire place in Montgomery AL. They automatically balanced all four w/o asking.

I presume you have aluminum wheels, and if so it is most likely that your fronts and outer duals are aluminum while the inner duals are steel. The weights used to balance the aluminum wheels are not as obvious as the weights normally used on a steel wheel. They may be "stick on", and are normally put where you won't see them when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle ...maybe you just aren't "seeing" the weights on the aluminum wheels...

[Eddie Foy]

The inner duals are steel and will not fit on the front (aluminum Accurides.) so That is impossible.

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig P.: Eddie, I just had my front tires rotated to the rear inner duals due to a tread wear pattern caused by a mis-aligned front end. When I asked the shop to balance all six tires during the rotation, the shop owner said I would be wasting my money. He said no one ever balances the rear axle wheels because it’s not needed. Not sure if this is 100% true or not, but he would have made more $$ if he hadn't advised against it. Is it possible that your rear inner wheels were rotated with your front axle wheels at some point? Just a thought... Craig

[Eddie Foy]

Nope. Had them off for polishing. No weights on all four aluminum wheels and no evidence of any missing weights.

Quote:

Originally posted by AFChap: I just bought new rear tires at a "Best One" truck tire place in Montgomery AL. They automatically balanced all four w/o asking. I presume you have aluminum wheels, and if so it is most likely that your fronts and outer duals are aluminum while the inner duals are steel. The weights used to balance the aluminum wheels are not as obvious as the weights normally used on a steel wheel. They may be "stick on", and are normally put where you won't see them when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle ...maybe you just aren't "seeing" the weights on the aluminum wheels...

[Eddie Foy]

I absolutely agree. I balance trailer tires also.

Quote:

Originally posted by GaryKD: Hi Craig, Many suggest the rear duals do not need to be balanced. When asked, the only reason I've been told is nobody will "feel" the tires are out of balance because nobody rides in the back. I have always balanced all the tires on a coach. The bottom line is I'm the one who pays for worn suspension parts. Tires out of balance can cause accelerated wear of suspension components.

[AFChap]

Quote:

Had them off for polishing

Now there's a guy with way too much time AND ENERGY on his hands!!!

[Bounder94]

Man, I thought the SAME thing....maybe if I didn't have to work and had oodles and oodles of time on my hand, heck yeah, why not polish 'em....LOL

[lthrnk]

I have used Counteract Balance Beads on one coach and will be putting in ALL tires on the new coach.

Just a point on pulling the wheels to polish. Make sure you torque them to spec after running the first 50-100 miles after mounting back on the coach.

[NeilV]

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig P.: Eddie, I just had my front tires rotated to the rear inner duals due to a tread wear pattern caused by a mis-aligned front end. When I asked the shop to balance all six tires during the rotation, the shop owner said I would be wasting my money. He said no one ever balances the rear axle wheels because it’s not needed. Not sure if this is 100% true or not, but he would have made more $$ if he hadn't advised against it. Is it possible that your rear inner wheels were rotated with your front axle wheels at some point? Just a thought... Craig

If you have beads be aware that the each dual usually require 2 additional ounces of beads compared to the fronts. On my rig its 8oz of beads in each front tire and 10oz in each rear tire. If you rotate the front to the back then the dual wheel assembly will not be the same with one half of the dual having 20% more balance beads than the other. Not 100% sure of the results of mixing things up like this but.....


See:
http://www.innovativebalancing....htm#CommercialChart

[berfle]

I've used Equal on two previous motorhomes and it worked fine. The only issue with it is that you have to make sure your air supply is very dry. Otherwise the normal atmospheric moisture will collect over time and can cause the stuff to "cake". I installed a desiccant filter in the hose of the small portable Black & Decker compressor I always carried.

Bill