Balance Beads

[rfg9585]

Thinking of moving up from 35s to 37s and when I do will be considering the use of balance beads. Seen them mentioned on the threads here but before I make the move need to know more about them.

1. Are there better versions, and if so what are the best?
2. Do they interfere in any way with the airing down\up process if you are using them and a tire deflator that is part of them stem?
3. Will they last the life of the tire?

Thanks!

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[Vinman]

I have my tires balanced traditionally when initially installed then as soon as they start going out of balance I break the bead and add exactly 4 ozs of copper coated steel BB’s per tire while leaving the weights in place.
This is hands down the best balancing method I have ever used. I’ve done it this way for the last three sets of tires (2 sets of 35’s and now 37’s).
The only downside is you can hear the BB’s fall when coming to a stop.
The tires run perfectly smooth regardless of speed.
My current 37’s run perfect even though some of the stick-on weights have fallen off.
Best part is $15.00 will buy enough BB’s to balance numerous sets of tires.
Zero effect on airing up or down.
Edit: these are the BB’s I use

 

[BDinTX]

I used balance beads when I went to 37"s. Not sure what brand, it's whatever Discount Tire uses. Apparently, it's just a bag full of them that they throw in. It busts open in the first few miles of driving and they do their thing.

I was consistently getting a shake over 60mph so had them taken out and balanced with wheel weights. I still get a little vibration (closer to 70mph) but it's not as severe and also not constant.

I must have something else going on but for the life of me can't figure out what it is. BUT since the balance beads didn't run as smooth I probably won't ever try them again.

Edit to specifically answer your questions:
1) I don't know
2) For me they didn't interfere with air up/down. I don't remove the valve core, don't know if that makes a difference.
3) They are suppose to

 

[Moblrn]

I have used Dyna Beads in motorcycles for a long time. They are supposed to not "Break apart". I have worked at a "Tire Shop" for the last two summers for my younger Brother and he uses "Equal" in the Semi Truck tires he sells.

I put a bag in each of my 1999 Isuzu Vehicross many years ago when I got new tires from him. I had the "Guys" spin balance, then break one side bead and toss in a bag. Boy do they cause a shimmy before the bags break. Thought I'd made a big mistake, but I had a smooth ride after for many thousands of miles. The tires were over 7 years old, but had really good tread on them when I took them off last summer.

I have Equal in my big truck Steer tires. I still have the OE stock tires on the Jeep.

Rod

 

[bjm00se]

Anecdotally, a chap I went wheeling with recently didn't use automatic tire deflators. He couldn't get them to reliably air down to a consistent point, and suspected that dust from the balancing beads was interfering with them.

 

[JEEP4U]

These work better than tire beads................. https://www.centramatic.com/

 

[jac04]

These work better than tire beads................. https://www.centramatic.com/

Have you used these or are you currently using them? I'm concerned about them trapping mud/debris when used offroad.

 

[Jeepin_OLB]

I had a RAM 5500 camper truck with super singles and 42" military tires. I used Counteract balancing beads and they were awesome. The tires were smooth driving and wore evenly. You just follow their calculator to find the right amount and toss a bag in. The downside was they would get stuck in the valve stem while airing down. I had adapters Counteract provided that use a ball instead of a stem, but they stuck out too far on my wheels and I was worried about one getting ripped off. Because of this, I haven't used beads with my Jeep's 37s. In fact, I just took the Jeep in for the 3rd balance this year!

These work better than tire beads................. https://www.centramatic.com/

Are you using these? I always wanted to try them, but I know they're more oriented to semi-trucks.

 

[JEEP4U]

Have you used these or are you currently using them? I'm concerned about them trapping mud/debris when used offroad.

Currently using them............Does not trap mud/debir when offroad.

 

[ChuckQue]

Anecdotally, a chap I went wheeling with recently didn't use automatic tire deflators. He couldn't get them to reliably air down to a consistent point, and suspected that dust from the balancing beads was interfering with them.

If you are referring to me from the time when we were in Big Bear, yes, that ended up being the culprit.

The issue I had was with whatever beads the American Tire used. They had essentially pulverized and the resulting shards would get lodged in the valve core body when airing down. That was when I was using Staun tire deflators. The only way I could get the air leak to stop was to remove the valve core fully and clear the obstruction.

I found a couple of workarounds that mitigated the issue to being rarely vs every single damn time. I could use the Stauns if the valve was at the 12 o’clock or close to it. Or, I could use a deflator that removed the core instead. I’d still have an issue once in a great while. I also changed the cores out to a “filtered” core which seemed to help a bit.

It’s annoying when it happens.

 

[zouch]

really?
do you happen to know what P/N you're using? because Centramatic said they didn't have anything that would fit the J**ps when i called them due to interference with the brakes,..?

Currently using them............Does not trap mud/debir when offroad.

 

[L06An_5]

From their site it looks like: (300-345)

https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-balancer.rhtml?modelNumber=300-345

JEEP4U, can you confirm what model p/n your using and did you need a spacer? If so what did you use?

 

[XtremeRetard]

Beads work... If you put enough in. The guide with my beads was like 50% off. Mind you I was running beadlocks.

But they work fine. Zero issues airing up or down

 

[rfg9585]

Beads work... If you put enough in. The guide with my beads was like 50% off. Mind you I was running beadlocks.

But they work fine. Zero issues airing up or down

What beads do you use?

 

[XtremeRetard]

What beads do you use?

Counteract

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