Tire Balance. Equal beads?

[PancakeBill]

Who has tried these and loved them?  Thinking about it.  Need to get tires rebalanced, but heard about these.  Not sure even who can do it, certainly not a DIY event.

 

[gnewhall]

We replaced the six tires on our coach last April and they used bead bags for balancing. Can?t say I love or hate them. We?ve put about 4K miles on our coach since then and haven?t seen or felt any difference. Rides just as like the previous tires. I know it?s not much, but I hope it helps.

 

[judway]

I have used them on my last two new tire installations. I have been pleased. I would also use them on my next, except I think I have bought my last new RV tires.

Offset RV wheels often get a bad balance if the balancing machine is a little off. This does not happen when using the beads. If you get a regular balance, after you get the first tire balanced you should have them remove the wheel and rotate the wheel on the machine by 90 degrees and then recheck the balance again. If the balance is still good, the machine is OK and you can proceed with the balancing of the other tires. If the balance is off no need to proceed because the machine is off and the balances will all be bad.

 

[judway]

A quick check on eBay shows  a kit including all you need for about $50. You will need new long tire valves, which are included, to keep the beads from blocking the valves. Most any tire shop should be able to install the beads.

 

[Howard R]

Have used them on 2 sets of tires now (19.5) and they work great, would not got back to weights.
Don't remember the brand now, but they did not require special valve cores (?) as one brand does.  I'm sure someone can elaborate on that.

Howard

 

[PancakeBill]

Has anyone done their own install?  I see it is a kit and quite different than n the video,  looks like take stem out, put in with a bottle, replace stem with new one and add air back,  really that easy?  (if you have a compressor handy that is.

 

[Alfa38User]

I see it is a kit and quite different than n the video,  looks like take stem out, put in with a bottle, replace stem with new one and add air back,  really that easy?

Yeah, if you are able and have tire dismounting tools handy!!! Replacing valve stems is not a DIY task on heavy tires in most cases...

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I've used them Equal for the last two sets of tires on the coach, with excellent results. The commercial tire shop I use rarely spin balances any more - Equal is their standard method.

Not sure what to love or hate about a method - it just works.

 

[PancakeBill]

Made an appointment for Tues AM to get the equal put in.  Hopefully they know I mean beads and not sugar packets.  I'll report back on results. 

 

[rcflyer-XRD]

Has anyone done their own install?  I see it is a kit and quite different than n the video,  looks like take stem out, put in with a bottle, replace stem with new one and add air back,  really that easy?  (if you have a compressor handy that is.

It is the valve stem core that you take out to add beads. 

I use a small funnel that fits tight over the valve stem and allow the beads to bounce around the upper section and small amounts at a time. Also helps to put tire on an incline so the valve stem is as perpendicular as possible.

 

[Primerump]

Has anyone done their own install?  I see it is a kit and quite different than n the video,  looks like take stem out, put in with a bottle, replace stem with new one and add air back,  really that easy?  (if you have a compressor handy that is.

I have not used "Equal" brand

I use the "Counteract" brand on my RV and motorcycle.

when the tire is fitted, be sure to have the operator use a minimum of lube as the beads
can stick to this internally..

 

[PancakeBill]

My concern on DIY was not having a high volume compressor!  I have a pancake I left behind, but I would be stuck with 6 low tires.

 

[FastEagle]

The following is an excerpt from a popular tire manufacturer. The excerpt is often seen in other popular brand tire warranty packages. The excerpt is always found in the section of the warranty under the heading; THINGS NOT COVERED.

"The addition of liquid, solid or gaseous materials other than air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide (for example, waterbase sealers or balancing substances)".


NOTE: Offset for trailer wheels is zero. Almost all trailer wheel/tire balancing needs to be done with a lug centric adapter.

 

[rcflyer-XRD]

When was the last time anyone has had a tire replaced under warranty? 

In over 40 years of driving I have never had a tire including my 5th wheel tires replaced or adjusted under a warranty. 

Most times I have had problems was long after the warranty or if there was an adjustment I could purchase a new tire for less money than the adjusted price.

Thus not using beads is a non issue for me.  Been using beads for almost 10 years and have never had a tire fail due to the beads.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

I understand that many shops are now using glass beads that are larger in diameter than "Equal". No need for the special valve cores with this method.>>>Dan

 

[PancakeBill]

Had a tire replaced after a blowout, but nothing odd had been added, but if it had, there would likely be no evidence of it.

 

[joanbill]

We replaced the six tires on our coach last April and they used bead bags for balancing. Can?t say I love or hate them. We?ve put about 4K miles on our coach since then and haven?t seen or felt any difference. Rides just as like the previous tires. I know it?s not much, but I hope it helps.

What he said.

Bill

 

[John From Detroit]

Belle Tire put Beads in my tires. OR so they claim.

 

[PancakeBill]

I guess it depends on whether the previous tires rode well or not, if they were bouncy, beads bad.  If they were good, then no diff is good.

Mine have a bit of imbalance, PO had them rebalanced and the place used sticks weights and he reported one or more flew off, I am feeling the imbalance so, will try beads. I k=like the idea of the essential dynamic rebalance.  Looking forward to the next drive.

 

[PancakeBill]

Had the beads put in today, they pulled the wheels, opened bead and dropped in, new valve core.  Only drove a mile back at abut 25 mph, but tomorrow have 100 mile drive, we shall see.
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