Pikeman

Have been meaning to post for a while but never thought about it. I purchased a set of centramatics for my truck about a month ago to try to solve the problem with my 'square' KM2's and after installing them I was very impressed. Truck rides as smooth as it did with the stock rugged trails. I really wish I didnt spend 95 dollars for a road force balance that didnt really help my vibration at all. I was kinda leary to spend the cash for them but after running them I would recammend anyone with vibration problems to give them a shot. Also seem to have totally eliminated cupping on the mud tires even after I have been negligent to rotate them for 10k miles. Far exceeded my expectations. Most people usually never post when something works just when it doesnt, thought id give my input on something that has worked for me.

rootercycles

what is Centramatics?

Pikeman

They are a hub centric balancer that is suppose to continuously adjust for balancing changes as you drive. Basically just a big ring filled with oil and BB's. I think big rigs have used em for awhile but now they are making them for heavy duty pickups as well. They claim you are suppose to not even balance your tires just mount em and these take care of the rest. I already had mine roadforce balanced so I just slapped em on and drove it. I chuckle everytime I drive now knowing how many times I took it in for balanceing before and it never even came close to the smoothness I have now.

Big3500

Any pictures of them on the truck? Did you buy them from centramatics or from somewhere else? I have KM2's as well and have some vibration, even after a lot of balancing. Thanks.

Totallyrad

Big3500, scroll through this article and you can see them on stock wheels, front and rear. I've had mine for a couple years and love them. http://wiki.dieseltruckresource.com/...en_Rear_Breaks

stroker101

yeah, i also have a brand new set of 35-12.5x17 BFG KM2's. tried having them balanced several times. tried the balancing beads. tired of throwing more $$$$$ at them. someday, i'll drop them off at the dealer and see what they can do with them. the trouble is, the tire dealer that is handling the claim is 40 mi. away. so...you wanna know where there at?

in my back yard. replaced them with what is on my sig now.
not sure if i will ever run a mud tire again. for what i paid for them, they should have come from the factory "ROUND". BFG should have a better quality control program or drastically reduce the price of their tires

PRO-NRA

I installed a of set Centramatics just two days ago. I did not bother removing the old balancing weights. It seems to work as my truck is smooth as silk @ 80 MPH. Here are a couple of pics with 37" Goodyear GS-A (sorry about the dirty wheel/tire). As you can see it covers the rotor. It should also help keep the brake dust off the wheel/tire.

I would like to install one for the drive shaft. I believe Balance Master makes one for the drive shaft.

RonP

Ok, I am sold. Been wanting them anyway. SO where is everyone getting them? from centramatics direct? That price they list is for all 4 correct.

Thanks guys

Totallyrad

Some of their prices are for 4, some are for 2. You better call them direct. The fellow that you need to talk to isn't the happiest guy in town but he knows the product he's selling.

Ace

Thanks for the pics, pro-nra! I was kinda wondering how they mounted. How thick is the mounting face, and any issues with stud length or wheel offset in that regard?

PRO-NRA

Ace,
It is just a piece of sheet metal so wheel stud length is not an issue. I am running stock wheel and did not have any issue with rubbing. They send you 2 A & 2 B pieces. One pair is flat and one pair is offset to accommodate different caliper setup. I mounted the offset one to the front to clear the caliper. I should have taken pics before I installed them. I could remove them and take pics if you want me to.

Ace

No that's fine, thanks. I sorta suspected that was the deal, or something like that, just not sure.

Another thing I was wondering about with these is how running an externally balanced (so-to-speak) out-of-balance tire might affect that tire (if at all) in terms of uneven wear, heat buildup, etc. Yes, the whole rotating assembly remains dynamically balanced, but if the tire itself starts getting out of whack, what gives? Or does the Centramatic help maintain the tire itself?

Am I over-analyzing this?

RowJ

I had two identical sets of tires....the second set with Centramatics. I got 5,000 more miles out of the second set. I love these balancers.
All the pics and "how to buy" HERE
Excellent Video HERE

I use to use the Balancing Beads, which work well also. But with two sets of wheels/tires, and having to rebuy when replacing tires... I got sick of the cost.
One set of Centramatics will last a lifetime.
Note: Spray painted mine flat black so the don't show so obviously, through the wheel spokes.


They are about 1/8" thick at the studs. They come with 2, 1/8" spacers... incase needed to clear calipers! Backs all seem to fit easily. The fronts sometimes need some playing with to get clearance.
They can be mounted with the round lip (contains fluid and beads) pointed in or out.

RJ

Big3500

Thanks for the pictures. I think I am going to get a set and see how they do.

RonP

Ordered mine today from here
http://www.nwtruckworks.com/centramatic.php

Less than 200.00 shipped for the 300-308 that fit my 3500 single rear wheel. set of 4.