Quote:
Originally Posted by pacevette
I am getting new tires put on this week and I was told they can balance them either way. Which would be the preferred method? They are 19.5" tires .
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pacevette,
This is an age old debate that, in all reality, is simply a matter of choice. The senior way of balancing is with spinning and weights. The truckers started using a liquid/ball bearing system decades ago. I remember when I was little and we were on vacation traveling some place, we'd stop for the night at some sleezy hotel and, I'd wander around the parking lot looking at these "MONSTER" 18 wheel trucks that were there too.
I noticed a round tube, that was semi-clear, sort of pink-ish, that housed some fluid and, some ball bearings. Man, at that age, was I perplexed or what??? I later found out that those were balancing systems for the tires and wheels. They've been improved since way back then.
Then there's the balancing beads that, can be inserted through the valve stem or, the ones I tried one time that were plastic bags that were tossed into the inside of the tire, prior to it being seated and inflated.
Well, in my case, when all six tires were installed, I was on my way. Something didn't feel right. I lived with it about a couple of weeks. I was still getting shakes and vibrations at many speeds. So, back to the tire store I went. Just as a check, the jacked up one of the front wheels and, put a spin balance motor/rotor against my free wheeling front tire. They proceeded to spin it up to speed but, it was shaking so bad that they had to stop.
So, the dismounted that tire, only to find out the bags had NEVER BROKE OPEN. So, they did the other front wheel/tire and, found the same thing. Well, guess what, it was the same in all four rears too.
So, out came the bags and, they spun balanced all six. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER!! Now, was this an isolated case? Maybe. But, I've had probably about 50 cars, 15 or so trucks, 20 or so motorcycles and, four motor homes and, basically, each and every one has had spin balancing done them. I have yet to be dissatisfied with that process.
There are many folks out there that are completely happy with the balancing beads, "Balance Masters" (liquid and ball bearing type) and other methods. It's a matter of choice.
One of the first things I do when getting either truck or motor home tires is, I poke my nose right close to the balancing machine the tech is using to see just how much run-out the tire(s) have. If they look even questionable to me, I have them investigate weather the tire(s) are OUT OF ROUND or not. I've caught a few that way and had them changed to other tires. An EGG is a EGG. You can attempt to balance for the rest of your life but, it's still an EGG. Just something to consider.
Scott
2018 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag
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