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(tire) balance beads

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by AxelsHumanDad, Apr 8, 2016.

  1. Apr 8, 2016 at 11:52 AM
    #1
    AxelsHumanDad

    AxelsHumanDad [OP] I am Groot

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    Mike
    KAIG, NW of The Frozen Tundra
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    Some suspension tweaks
    Lesson learned today...

    I had new tires installed yesterday evening. Left the tire shop, drove through the 25mph speed limit with nothing unusual. When the limit changed up to 45mph I picked up a shaking in the steering wheel that was unbelievable. 45mph to 60mph it was almost un-drivable. Called the shop and bitched, but it was after six and all the service people were gone. The fella that answered was just doing paperwork but made a note for the morning saying I would be back.
    Drove the 35 or so miles home focused on the shake. It seemed to get better. Got home and unloaded the 200+ lbs of original tires from the bed and took the truck for a ride around town, 25mph up to 70mph. Oddly enough, no more paint shaker.
    I had a previous issue with bad balancing at this particular shop so today I asked a local shop if they could check the balance for me and explained what was happening.
    The second shop had two wheels pulled from the truck when I overheard one service guy say "these have balance bead bags in them". I have never heard of this so I asked if that was a good thing or bad thing. They explained about the bag of beads that gets tossed in the tire when mounted, and how the bag breaks down and releases the beads to self balance. I learned it takes a few miles for the bag to open and break down, hence the crazy shake at the beginning. They told me give it a couple hundred miles to stabilize and see what I think.
    Went for another blast out of town and back today, everything seems smooth. I'll give it some time to see it if stays all good.
    Interesting.
    It would have been nice of the first shop to tell me about this before I left- I never heard of these "magic bags". :notsure:
     
    rons23 and T-Rex266 like this.
  2. Apr 8, 2016 at 12:08 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Some people use them on bigger tires and bead locks.(37-42s) I have never had issues using a good wheel balancer.

    Others use Centramatics. I will use these on my camper and flatbed car hauler next. One original balance on the wheel and tire combo and you are done for the tread life.

    Discount tire is the only place in town I have tried that has done a superior job balancing my BFG ATs. The shop I purchased them from is usually .5-1 oz off per wheel and say it isn't that much. Guess they never drive over 35 mph.
     
  3. Apr 8, 2016 at 12:54 PM
    #3
    AxelsHumanDad

    AxelsHumanDad [OP] I am Groot

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    Some suspension tweaks
    I went from 35x12.50x20 Trail Grapplers with stick on lead weights that were perfectly balanced for 21000 miles. Replaced them with the 325x60x20(metric 35) Terra Grappler G2 with no weights, just the bead bag surprise.

    I've read about the Centramatics. Maybe I should consider them next time I have some extra pocket money to spend.


    edit: first quick glance on Centramatic's site and I don't see them for Toyota.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  4. Apr 8, 2016 at 1:02 PM
    #4
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I am going to spend the coin the next time I buy tires for my trailers. Having a smooth ride, fuel economy, wheel bearings last longer, and tires that last is my ultimate goal. Best 200.00 per set you will spend. With not getting the tire balance and rotation package that is usually 25-40.00 per tire, the cost is almost covered for you. I personally can rotate my tires faster and at my own convenience as well. I have waited at some tire shops for over 4 hours. Time is money.
     
    QSX15 likes this.
  5. Apr 8, 2016 at 1:59 PM
    #5
    AxelsHumanDad

    AxelsHumanDad [OP] I am Groot

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    Some suspension tweaks
    ^this...

    Get the lugs torqued how you want that way too.(thanks WalMart for snapping a stud on my '06)
    And I also know which tire went to which position without asking ;) Seems to be a trick question when I pay the bill- front to back or crossed over? < blank stare in return >
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Apr 8, 2016 at 4:03 PM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Yeah, I feel your pain. Walmart employees would not even be allowed to check my tire pressure.

    I used to buy 37" MTR tires from SAMs Club since they were so cheap (170), but I would go home and mount them myself since I have bead locks.

    I'm not sure what is going to happen when old age hits me hard. I have a feeling this will be one of my struggles in my last days.
     
  7. Apr 9, 2016 at 5:18 AM
    #7
    trainracer

    trainracer New Member

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  8. Apr 9, 2016 at 8:30 AM
    #8
    AxelsHumanDad

    AxelsHumanDad [OP] I am Groot

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    Thanks. I saw that when I was doing a lot of reading after learning about these "magic beads".

    So far I have about 100 miles with them, through 5 heat cycles.
    Right now I think they suck.

    I picked my girlfriend up from work last evening and without me even mentioning it, she said she could feel a shake.
    I get a slight steering wheel shake at 60 that comes and goes.
    I have to tweak my pressures a little bit, but I'm not sold on this voodoo technology.
    fffff....
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2016
  9. Apr 10, 2016 at 5:54 AM
    #9
    MC Mike

    MC Mike New Member

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    Fuel Pump 20x9 wheels with 33x12.5 Federal tires. 3/1 lift level kit from off road and TRD PRO grill and hood bulge
    I feel your pain. I have 33x12.50/20 on my truck. The truck shakes like a paint shaker and I have had it to 4 different shops getting the tires balanced. The last shop did the load balance and the told me the tires were out of round. I find it hard to believe that all 4 tires are bad. I'm getting ready to go back to the original rims and tires. I spent 2000.00 on rims and tires they should be perfect.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  10. Apr 11, 2016 at 6:20 AM
    #10
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Your shaking is not from the balancing beads. I have these beads in my Nitto Trail Grappler 295/70/18 and my truck rides smooth as silk. I would highly recommend them.
     
  11. Apr 12, 2016 at 4:52 PM
    #11
    AxelsHumanDad

    AxelsHumanDad [OP] I am Groot

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    2015 CM Platinum
    Some suspension tweaks
    Just got home from the shop that put the lift and first tires on the truck. Had them vacuum out the beads and do a standard road force balance.
    Smooth as silk.

    F^ck those magic beads. Never again.
     
    rons23 and Wynnded like this.

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