Community Forums

Dmiles · 05-11-2019, 04:20 PM

I'm in the process of getting new tires on the drive train, and I've decided to try the beads for the first time, to see how they do. 30ft. Class A gasser, 225/70R/19.5 all the way around.

The steers were replaced last year, and balanced the conventional way. Don't really have any complaints with how they ride, but I figured I may as well have them throw the beads in there while they are at it. I've always had the steers balanced, but never the drives.

It seems to me that it would be best to leave the balancing weights on the front, and just add the beads, as opposed to having the balancing weights removed. I would think you would get the best of both worlds that way.

Surely someone out there has had this situation, and I'd just like to hear what you did, and how it turned out. Any information would be appreciated, I've just ordered the tires, and I've got a few days to decide.

All in all, I'm not too worried about the ride. We just paid it off and got the title in hand a couple months ago, and past experience has shown that a paid off rigs ride 100% better as soon as you get that title with no lien holder!

MSHappyCampers · 05-11-2019, 04:58 PM

I would leave the weights on the front, along with the beads. JMHO

TonyMac · 05-11-2019, 05:05 PM

X2 what Joe said

Dmiles · 05-11-2019, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the quick replies. Kind of what made sense to me as well, but since I have a few days before they come in, I thought I would throw this up on the board and see what kind of feedback I get.

Just what I was looking for, but I kind of knew this was the place to come for good information.

Arch Hoagland · 05-11-2019, 11:02 PM

Do beads require a special valve stem that won't get clogged by them?

oscarvan · 05-12-2019, 12:21 AM

Have the Cetramatics myself.... pretty happy with them and it's no issue when installing/changing/rotating tires. They just stay put.

vettenuts · 05-12-2019, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Do beads require a special valve stem that won't get clogged by them?

Think it depends on the bead diameter. The smaller beads do but the truck/RV beads shouldn’t.

TeJay · 05-12-2019, 06:18 AM

I've never liked the idea of adding anything to the inside of my tires except air. Tried the sand once and lost air the first time I checked the tire pressure. Got the Centramatics and that was 25,000 miles ago. Wouldn't use anything but.

That did add another $400 (Front & Rear) to the MODS I wanted to do but once installed they will last forever. No further balancing of any kind to be done.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-12-2019, 09:08 AM

The recommended practice is to remove the weights. The tire gets dismounted to "throw in the beads", so the previous balancing is not longer valid anyway. Would you pay to have the ties spin-balanced again after the beads are added? And if so, why?

In most cases it probably doesn't make any difference if the weights are left on, but the balancing bead company doesn't have any idea how accurate the old weights are and so won't give any warranty or support if they are left in place.

Hooligan · 05-12-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

The recommended practice is to remove the weights. .

Manufacturer's recommendation.

The "Equal" balance beads are small and require special "filtered" valve stems, normally provided by installer. Larger balance beads do not. I used "Equal" on previous DP, worked as advertised. Also no problem with those valve stems.
I saw a comment on another site that balance beads tend to settle when parked and are out of balance when first starting out. Was not my experience at all.

Milford 47 · 05-12-2019, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Do beads require a special valve stem that won't get clogged by them?

Yes, it has a screen

Milford 47 · 05-12-2019, 09:56 AM

I have ran ceramic and SS beads over the years in trailer tires and in some of the trucks that got into mud on a regular basis. The beads worked pretty well offsetting mud that would stick on the wheels. On the trailers never an issue in hundreds of thousands of miles. I have not had them on the steering axle on anything yet.