Wheel balancing w/ equal...

[typecast]

John Kennedy and whoever else may be in the know,

In ref to my wheel thread (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001449) you mentioned balancing with equal instead of putting weights on. I've never had wheels balanced with anything besides weights. I'm guessin that equal is some kind of sand... where do you get this done?

I was planning to put BFG AT/KO's 265/75's on this set of wheels and getting the tyres at my local Costco. Hmmmmm

Thanks,

Galen

[MAV]

You can get Equal at almost any big rig tire shop. Its more of a commercial application but could work in a LT tire. I have heard of some clumping of the Equal. Happens when the air dryers are not working on the air compressors and they inflate the tires with air with excess moisture.

[CanadaKev]

Centramatic wheel balancers is another option.

www.centramatic.com (http://www.centramatic.com)

Or do a search on the DP.

Kev

[Kennedy]

As I understand, there is a specific size packet to use based in tire size. My guys put in the packets sealed. Shook for a bit as they said it would until the packet broke open.

In talking to Mdrag, we discussed http://www.balancemasters.com/ as an alternative to the rattling hula hoop sound of the centra-matic...

[mdrag]

I have the Centramatic.com (http://www.centramatic.com/Testimonials/More/more.html) dynamic balancers on my 19.5" conversion - now with over 1 year of use. They work as advertised and cost approx $99 per axle. Since the balancers sandwich between the wheel and hub, they are reusable when you buy another set of tires - or transfer to another vehicle if the bolt pattern is the same. Depending on the application, there may be multiple sets of bolt holes present on the balancer, so it may fit more than one vehicle.

From the info on the BalanceMasters.com (http://www.balancemasters.com/howtheywork.html) web site, the two systems appear very similar, with the major difference being the Centramatics use a synthetic dampening fluid and Durametal (hardened metal shot) as the balancing media - hence the hula-hoop noise at low speeds. This sound is not heard with the windows up and disappears at about 15-18 MPH. The Centramatics have between 16 -32 oz of balancing media per tire (or per dual).

The BM use mercury as the balancing media, and should be relatively silent - although I have not seen (or heard) their system first hand to confirm this.

[jbplock]

I had a set of BMs on my 98 K3500 and they are silent. However, I don't believe they make a model that will fit the front wheels of an 01-04 3500HD. BM does make one that fits the rear duals - not sure about the 2500HD.

[et]

The Centramatic Balancers for the 2500HD 16" 8 lug wheel is Part #300-308. An online source is mrtruck.net/centramatic.htm for $199 for a set of four.

[Kennedy]

The Hallcraft's 80 spoke radial laced front wheel on my Harley has Balance Masters and I can't hear it... :D

[chuntag95]

Wouldn't the Hummer balance masters work for the 2500?