Balancing your larger tires...best method?

[ryan13]

I have been running my 35x12.5x15 MTR's unbalanced for about 6 months now and have not had many issues besides a slight wobble. I have (for the time being) simulated bead lock steel wheels so the traditional wheel weights do not work on the front lip and sticky weights are a waste of time IMO on an offroad vehicle. My ZJ see's a lot of road use before getting to the trails so a smooth ride is important.


Have you used balance beads?
Would you recommend them?


Any input is welcomed since the internet seems to be split on opinions for the balance bead debate.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Great reading on it here https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=tire+balancing+beads+opinions And you will get many of the same differing opinions on it within this forum as you would elsewhere, some may even say "get rid of the poser wheels and put on something you can more easily balance". But if done properly with a clean surface the sticky weight will actually stay on better than pounded on weights that regularly contact rocks and mud, been there many times myself.

 

[ryan13]

Thanks for the info.

As for my wheels, they are temporary as I will be changing them out for the new lug pattern once my axles are finished.

 

[tarditi]

I used centramatic balance rings on my Hummer HMCO (H1 open top) with standard 37x12.50r16 MTs on steel beadlock CTIS rims. I removed the beadlocks, as they make it really hard to mount the tires and balance the wheel, but even then the local tire shops hated to see me roll in for mounting and balancing - usually took several hours to get them "good enough" so I finally bought a set of centramatics online and never looked back.

Only shimmy I had was at 62mph-64mph, but that was due to slightly worn pitman arms (there are 2 on hummers).
The truck was run on and off road... 'round town, highway, towing, etc. It was my DD for several years.

I highly recommend centramatics, if you get a chance.

 

[wvracer821]

I just tried to use Airsoft BBs in my truck tires. they were great until you hit a bump which makes the BBs scatter and causes an imbalance for a split second until they bounce back. this makes the little bumps feel much larger. I had my tire shop remove the beads and balance the tires traditionally. next time i will be going with the centramatics. the fluid inside them moves slow so the bumps done effect them like beads.

 

[MOguy]

I have a mixture of steel BBS and Dnya beads in my 34 x10.5 bias ply Super Swampers and it works fine.

 

[OSV]

I have been running my 35x12.5x15 MTR's

i ran centramatics with those same tires, it worked great.

if you are moving to a different lug pattern, you could probably get the new pattern drilled into the centramatics.

 

[red EOD veteran]

I run antifreeze in the 47"s on my military truck, works very well. Same principal as the BB's/powder just had to run a liquid due to the tar left from the runflat inserts.

 

[pappawheely]

I'm also a fan of the Centramatics. I run real beadlocks so I can repair a puncture on the trail. The Centramatics are no mess, no issues with junk floating around in your tires.

 

[MOguy]

I run antifreeze in the 47"s on my military truck, works very well. Same principal as the BB's/powder just had to run a liquid due to the tar left from the runflat inserts.

They do that in training tractor tires ( I suppose elsewhere ) in increase the weight of the tire for added traction. How much do you use for balancing?

 

[red EOD veteran]

They do that in training tractor tires ( I suppose elsewhere ) in increase the weight of the tire for added traction. How much do you use for balancing?

I use 1/2 a gallon per tire. 395x85x20", measures to a 47" tire. The companies that make different balancing media have charts for how much weight to put in, with that size tire they call for 14oz of weight.

 

[MOguy]

How do you fill the tire, through the valve stim?

 

[red EOD veteran]

My wheels bolt together, poured the coolant in before mounting the outer ring. You could pull the valve core and pour it in that way.

 

[pappawheely]

I run antifreeze in the 47"s on my military truck, works very well. Same principal as the BB's/powder just had to run a liquid due to the tar left from the runflat inserts.

Not very enviro friendly if you get a flat on the trail.

 

[red EOD veteran]

Not very enviro friendly if you get a flat on the trail.

Rubber beneath the tread is about 2" thick and reinforced. Flats aren't an off-road concern.

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