Community Forums

Gary RVRoamer · 04-07-2023, 12:58 PM

I've used bead-balanced tires on our motorhome since 2007 and never an issue with balance or reliability.

hardy1000 · 04-11-2023, 05:14 AM

I have used balancing beads for 6 years and they have worked very well. I just had new Toyo M154 tires installed last week with balancing beads.

Ray,IN · 04-13-2023, 09:31 PM

I too am of the "if it spins, balance it". However, the most important thing is for the tire guy mounting the tire on a rim, he must follow the tire mfgr. guide ridge on the tire and insure it is concentric with the rim. Then there is a yellow dot or red dot on the tire that denotes the heaviest spot on the tire. This explains:

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires-1...ing-your-tires

yeloduster · 04-14-2023, 07:34 AM

I also believe that if it spins it should be balanced. Vibrations you can't feel can still cause damage to your vehicle over time.

I use balance beads. They do a good job balancing and the tires stay balanced over the life of the tire. I use BB gun BB's for my balancing beads. They are big enough that they can't get caught in the tire valve core causing a leak.

153stars · 04-14-2023, 09:49 AM

A member about 3-4 years back shared a great deal on bulk ceramic ball bearings in different sizes, as in too big to mess with stems and cheaper than balance beads by weight. Maybe these were off spec for use as ball bearings but probably higher polished grade than balancing beads. But I can't find bookmark or subscribe . I'm sure I saved it. I somehow.Maybe someone else saved link.I think they were Zirconium balls.
Not a huge cost but seems balance beads are marked up rebranded/bagged version of ceramic tumbling beads.

THenne1713 · 04-15-2023, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I'll be odd man out here. Balancing the rear wheels isn't necessary when you have 4 huge tires on one axle. They are heavy enough (around 120 lbs) that a few ounces one way or the other on a given tire is insignificant and the four tires together essentially balance each other out anyway. I'm sure somebody here will conjecture a scenario where all 4 tires are uniformly off center in the same direction, but lightning strikes happen too.

That said, if you don't mind parting with the extra cash, there is no reason NOT to balance them. Or buy Centramatics for the rears, for that matter. Your call.

I had a Buick, all tires good/ like new, went on short 150-milex2 trip, lost a weight on front tire, NEVER felt it, BUT had BELTS showing when back in driveway. No way do I do unbalanced except mower equipment.

Ray,IN · 04-15-2023, 08:23 PM

A driver might not feel a wheel out of balance because the shock absorber is working hard to "absorb" the rapid up/down movement of the wheel. Next they are wondering why their shocks require replacement sooner than expected.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-16-2023, 01:34 PM

Quote:

I had a Buick, all tires good/ like new, went on short 150-milex2 trip, lost a weight on front tire, NEVER felt it, BUT had BELTS showing when back in driveway. No way do I do unbalanced except mower equipment.

As another Buick owner I would have to agree, but none of my Buicks had dual rear wheels @ 120 lb each. Like your mower, different situations demand different solutions.