Anyone here use balance beads in theryre tires ?

Is that like a good beer night in the shop and the guys piss in the tires while replacing?

 

Haha! That would be free or just the cost of beer right?

Calling it like I saw it. Ran centramatics for years and never was impressed. Tires never wore right. Still had balance issues.

If you like em that's great. I just think for anyone looking at the two balance beads are worth it and don't toss away good money on centramatics. Just my O.

 

Just put new steer tires Uniroyal and my tire guy trow this beats in it.
400 miles and i went back trow them out and made high speed balance.
Never again

 

Must be a terrible tire or wrong akount of breads

 

This is what I like about this website. I've been around trucks for most of my life and I had no idea that truck tires get balanced. Of course I was always around bush trucks, never highway trucks. I will be looking into these beads when I get my truck put back together.

 

@NorthernMechanic There's a video that explains how to install the beads and not have problems. Can't get any moisture in the tire or they will clump. Do not use excessive tire soap or lube and don't get it on the rim. Make sure the ceramic beads are opposite the valve stem when seating the bead and airing up the tire to keep from getting them in the bead. Some people toss the whole bag inside the tire. If you don't cut the end off of the bag before you do you end up with the symptoms this guy describes - basically a bean bag beating around inside the tire:

Take an extra minute and little bit of care when putting ceramic beads in your tires and you'll be riding down the highway smooth as silk. DIY and do it right. I've had them in my tires for years. I wouldn't run a highway tractor without all 10 wheels balanced by those beads.

 

I have been using beads in wide based drive tires for about 600,000 miles. Got 447,000 miles out of the last set with 8-9/32 tread left and got $150 for each of the old tires. Nice even wear on all tires. For steers, I have them balanced and use balance masters rings. I average about 225,000 miles on a set of steers. Same thing.... about 8-9/32nd tread left and $150 a tire for the old ones.

 

Works great on long days on county roads then hitting the highways.

But like rolling coal said cut the bag and let nature take over.

 

You could try the counter act brand, they are glass beads so they wont clump if they get some moisture on them. I put them in with a home made injection tool. I took a cheap air filter for a shop air compressor, took the filter out filled up the glass bowl with beads (it takes a few times the bowl doesnt hold that much). Rig up a fitting and valve on one end for your hose and a clear 1/4" hose to slip on the valve stem after taking out the valve of course. open the valve some, turn the housing upside down slowly and the housing blows the beads in just like a sand blasting gun would meter out sand.