Balancing beads in bulk?

Yep. When I got my new drives put on the shop only had equal. I hate it. Never again. Next time I'll bring my own counteract in case the shop again only has equal.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of beads vs. Centramatics?

Frank

 

Thanks. I fight drive tire balance problems but just cannot pull the trigger on Centramatics due to the cost. Im trying the beads next.

Frank

 

It's always been my opinion that the Centramatic small 3/4" diameter ring sandwiched in between the drive tires is virtually useless for any sort of effective balancing. Think about that. Counteract beads inside the tire able to go exactly where they are needed via centripetal force or that ring sandwiched between the drives???....

Which one does common sense tell you is going to be more effective? I know guys swear by Centramatics though. I had them on mine years ago and now they're stacked in the corner of my shop collecting dust. Worthless.

If you want everything balanced the only way to go is ceramic beads in the tires. I never have balance issues. I re-use them too. Break a tire down, shop vac them out, weigh them and put them back in the new tire. Might have to buy a bag or two every now and then to replace minor lossage.

 

12

 

I buy my beads on ebay. They are ceramic and come in whatever size oz bags you need. When I changed my tires the first time on my truck all of the tires had that powder crap in them along with the bags. I think there was 3 tires in which the bags never broke open. Lazy bas@tards just threw the whole #### bag in there. This is why I never can trust a shop to do your work.

 

Ceramic bead bags will bust open in there. I leave them in the bags. When I re-use them I put them in plastic sandwich bags that I roll up and lay inside the tire.