tire balancing powder

[shovelwrench]

I, just got new wheels and tires for my truck. Polished aluminum wheels and 33/12.50-15 tires. I hate the look of wheel weights on a nice wheel..

Anyone have any experience with the balancing powders?

Does it work OK?

 

[shovelwrench]

I, just got new wheels and tires for my truck. Polished aluminum wheels and 33/12.50-15 tires. I hate the look of wheel weights on a nice wheel..

Anyone have any experience with the balancing powders?

Does it work OK?

 

[musicmanbass]

Can you have them put the weights inside the wheel?

 

[f150guy]

do you mean the plastic-ish-looking tubes with a graphite substance inside??

I have seen them, one of my vendors came to the shop trying to get me to switch to them. They seemed nice, but the cost factor was not practical. (Buying anything we don't absolutely need is not conducive to longevity in these trying times) the only thing I would be worried about is the 3m backing didn't seem like it would hold up to the salt/snow/hot/cold we get up here.

 

[M28]

Originally posted by shovelwrench:
I, just got new wheels and tires for my truck. Polished aluminum wheels and 33/12.50-15 tires. I hate the look of wheel weights on a nice wheel..

Anyone have any experience with the balancing powders?

Does it work OK?

I can't help you as I don't know what you're referring to, but I would like to know how the wheels balanced using the weights on the outside of the wheels.

I recently put the same set up on a truck and tried both adhesive and then conventional weights on the inside of the wheels only, in an attempt to retain the no weight look on the outside of the wheel. Weighting the inside of the wheel only on that big of a wheel/tire combo didn't quite cut it and I'm thinking of weighting the outside of the wheel as well despite the asthetics in order to obtain the smoothest ride possible.

Thanks, Brian~

 

[shovelwrench]

Musicmanbass,
I work at a shop, and although that seems reasonable, I would have to mount, then put on the balancer, write down all the weights, mark the tire location, dismount, attach weights, remount, and hope like h*** I got it dead nuts first time.

F150guy,
No its a type of powder you put in the tire and it self balances, Google "equal tire balancing", and check it out.

M28,
I have'nt mounted them yet, but, the best way of conventional balancing is to put the weights on both planes of the tire (dual plane balance) on one of those tire balancers that puts pressure on the tire (Ford dealers have em). I'm probably gonna give this powder a shot and I'll let you know how well it works. I see where some people where'nt happy with it(and others where), but I think I'm gonna have to try it.

 

[sar4937]

I have seen the balancing powder, and even heard some positives. My worry would be a tire repair, and loosing some of the powder. Or contamination during patching, I doubt they would tell you. There is also a dynamic balancing affair that bolts between the wheel and hub sold for use on motorhomes, OTR trucks, and pickups, sorry no link. The balancing powder requires a certain quantity in each tire, so you could keep extra on hand incase of a flat. An internet search would provide testimonials I'm sure. It's most often used on fleet vehicles and there may be some objective product test articles online. http://www.nwtruckworks.com/centramatic.php

 

[m1gunner]

Make sure you read the label and manufacturer's web site. Some of the stuff intended to stay inside the tire is harmful to aluminum wheels.

 

[moses]

The stuff i saw was for motorcycles its tiny beads you fill thu the valve stem the bike guy rave about it.

 

[shovelwrench]

Originally posted by moses:
The stuff i saw was for motorcycles its tiny beads you fill thu the valve stem the bike guy rave about it.

Did'nt even consider using it in my bikes, I'll give that a shot if I'm happy with it in my truck.

Some of the stuff intended to stay inside the tire is harmful to aluminum wheels[\QOUTE]

I'll make sure what I get is safe for my wheels too, Thanks

Sar4937,
I read about the bolt on balancers too, I don't think they would suit the application real well though, cool as they are. The descriptions I've read remind me of the Fluidampner harmonic balancers...

 

[shovelwrench]

FINALLY got my wheels and tires on... After spacers, and longer studs. So much for Tire Racks fitment specs

. Still gotta get center caps.

The Powder works perfectly, not a bit of shake or shimmy from the tires.

 

[gunsmith11]

trying too figure out why tires and wheels are a big thing,,,you cant see them while driving, and other people dont care

 

[TNDixieGirl]

I notice good looking wheels, and always have. The right ones make a vehicle look great.

 

[shovelwrench]

Originally posted by TNDixieGirl:
I notice good looking wheels, and always have. The right ones make a vehicle look great.

Yep, wheels and tires (aside from the performance enhancements) can make or break the look of a vehicle.

I wanted to drop my final drive ratio a bit and have better mud/ dirt/ snow traction. Both of which I accomplished, AND they look darn good doin it.

 

[M28]

Originally posted by shovelwrench:
The Powder works perfectly, not a bit of shake or shimmy from the tires.

OK....now that you've been the Guinea Pig...what's the 411 on the "Powder"?

Need a daytime shot of your truck please...and what year is it?

Thanks, Brian~

 

[truckemup97]

I use these, but they may be a little expensive for a pickup truck. However, if your tires cost $350 each and you want them to last 300,000+ miles, they're great.

They also sell balancers for engines and driveshafts.

 

[shovelwrench]

Originally posted by M28:

Originally posted by shovelwrench:
The Powder works perfectly, not a bit of shake or shimmy from the tires.

OK....now that you've been the Guinea Pig...what's the 411 on the "Powder"?

Need a daytime shot of your truck please...and what year is it?

Thanks, Brian~

The "powder" is called Equal, you should be able to get it locally. I went to the local big rig tire place and got it, 40$= 10$ a bag. I don't know of any regular tire shops that have it. I work at a dealership, so it was easy enough to go buy it and mount the tires at work.

You'll have to wait till tommorrow for a daytime pic, the trucks an '87, ALMOST felt bad stealing it @ 2500$ w/under 20k on it.

 

[TNDixieGirl]

AND they look darn good doin it.

Yes they do.

 

[M28]

Originally posted by shovelwrench:
The "powder" is called Equal, you should be able to get it locally. I went to the local big rig tire place and got it, 40$= 10$ a bag. I don't know of any regular tire shops that have it. I work at a dealership, so it was easy enough to go buy it and mount the tires at work.

So what are you tellin' me dude....you just dump this stuff in the boot and mount it on the wheel without any weights and everything is jake?

You'll have to wait till tommorrow for a daytime pic, the trucks an '87, ALMOST felt bad stealing it @ 2500$ w/under 20k on it.

Right on...last year of that body style and first year of FI....destined to be a classic. I've got the same wheel and tire size on an '87 long bed I'm in the middle of restoring. Where in blazes did you find one with only 20K on it?

Brian~

 

[Jeepnut]

I'd never heard of alternatives until I read about Airsoft BB's as a balancer as well on the Jeep forums.
Sketchy? I dunno'...but if it works, it works, eh?