Community Forums

jd956jd956 · 12-12-2016, 08:51 PM

This is just an FYI of something I had never read about on IRV2.

Had a more than 30 minute conversation today with Jerry, Centramatic tech support, to determine the model number needed for my wheels. I also wanted to know how many ounces of typical lead balancing weights the centramatics can off-set and that is where it got interesting.

Bottom line is the centramatics contain 12 ounces of balancing shot and one of my two 365 tires required 13 ounces during a spin balance about 1,500 miles ago when all my Alcoa wheels were replaced due to cosmetic manufacturing defects. (wheel surfaces were dirty, stained and not cleaned prior to sealing with the protective film). The other tire required 11 ounces. As a side note, I had my front tires balanced on its maiden voyage and at that time, one tire required 16 ounces of weight!

The centramatic tech stated he was surprised each took so much weight. His opinion was no tire, even 365's should not need more than 8 ounces. Now I plan to go talk to the manager a local big rig truck tire shop that sells Michelin tires to see what his thoughts are regarding whether or not the tires may need to be dismounted, and remounted in a different position on each wheel, etc. So, if your tires have more than 12 ounces of weight, it doesn't sound like the centramatics have the capability to help...

Does anyone with size 365 tires recall how much weight is on their wheels?

.

BBelanger · 12-12-2016, 08:56 PM

Why don't you just leave the weights on the wheels then add the cetramatics? Just put centramatics on mine and never bothered with the old weights.

jd956jd956 · 12-12-2016, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Why don't you just leave the weights on the wheels then add the cetramatics? Just put centramatics on mine and never bothered with the old weights.

Hi Bill - I decided I wanted the centramatics because some of the 1/2 ounce stick-on weights on one tire fell off... I was hoping to be able to remove all weights on all tires and then go with the centramatics and never have to worry about spin balancing again. Not sure what the answer will be but perhaps your suggestion will be the only way - have tires re-spin balanced and afterward add the centramatics.

Johnidaho · 12-12-2016, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd956jd956

Hi Bill - I decided I wanted the centramatics because some of the 1/2 ounce stick-on weights on one tire fell off... I was hoping to be able to remove all weights on all tires and then go with the centramatics and never have to worry about spin balancing again. Not sure what the answer will be but perhaps your suggestion will be the only way - have tires re-spin balanced and afterward add the centramatics.

On our race cars we use the flat peel-and-stick lead weights, mounted to the back of the rims essentially in the center (side to side)...BUT to keep them from "unsticking" when the rims get hot from heavy braking and tire heat, we overlay aluminum foil tape (right off the hardware store shelf) over the weights. They will not fall off if taped over. I don't know how and where the Centramatics mount on the rims, but the balance weight system we use for the cars might be integrated as a starting point to allow the wheel end up within the Centramatics limits?

Randyman1 · 12-13-2016, 07:49 AM

I asked them that same question when I bought mine from them and they told me that the tire should be balanced prior to putting on the Centramatics and that if they had weights on them to leave them on. I did and no problems. So as long as you don't lose all the weight that they put on yours you should be fine.

jd956jd956 · 12-13-2016, 08:29 AM

Thank you Randy. What is your impression on them? Could you tell any REAL difference(s)? Do you have them on all axles?

**JohnRR** · 12-13-2016, 08:51 AM

If nothing else balancing with weights might give an indication of tire condition. I just made my mind up about wether or not to balance the tire first which I will now have done.

Randyman1 · 12-14-2016, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd956jd956

Thank you Randy. What is your impression on them? Could you tell any REAL difference(s)? Do you have them on all axles?

Yes Jeff, I did notice a big difference. The reason I went with them originally was because I had a shake on the seat at 65 mph. What I didn't notice until after installing them was how different the steering wheel felt. Just a lot more solid if that makes sense. So I must have had a slight vibration on the steering, but focused more on the rears. Definitely one of the best improvements I've made on the coach. I have them on all three axles.

GaryKD · 12-17-2016, 05:16 PM

Hi,
Have the tires spin balanced. Install the Centramatics. Done. That's what I did and they are on their second set of tires. Smooth as silk at all speeds.

82ndCowboy · 12-17-2016, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Why don't you just leave the weights on the wheels then add the cetramatics? Just put centramatics on mine and never bothered with the old weights.

You cant use both. Well you can if you want to but they are two different options. Static weights balance the tire in a fixed position. Centramatics. balance in motion. The static weights will basically cancel out the centramatics therefore making them a waste of money.

palehorse89 · 12-17-2016, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd956jd956

This is just an FYI of something I had never read about on IRV2.

Had a more than 30 minute conversation today with Jerry, Centramatic tech support, to determine the model number needed for my wheels. I also wanted to know how many ounces of typical lead balancing weights the centramatics can off-set and that is where it got interesting.

Bottom line is the centramatics contain 12 ounces of balancing shot and one of my two 365 tires required 13 ounces during a spin balance about 1,500 miles ago when all my Alcoa wheels were replaced due to cosmetic manufacturing defects. (wheel surfaces were dirty, stained and not cleaned prior to sealing with the protective film). The other tire required 11 ounces. As a side note, I had my front tires balanced on its maiden voyage and at that time, one tire required 16 ounces of weight!

The centramatic tech stated he was surprised each took so much weight. His opinion was no tire, even 365's should not need more than 8 ounces. Now I plan to go talk to the manager a local big rig truck tire shop that sells Michelin tires to see what his thoughts are regarding whether or not the tires may need to be dismounted, and remounted in a different position on each wheel, etc. So, if your tires have more than 12 ounces of weight, it doesn't sound like the centramatics have the capability to help...

Does anyone with size 365 tires recall how much weight is on their wheels?

.

I would be pursuing a set of new Michelin's If I were you Jeff, after reading your posts and tire balancing problems.........