So I have heard of people using glass beads in their tires so that their tires are constantly balanced. Anyone have experience with this idea? Can you only use certain kinds of rims or tires for this to work properly/safely?

Thanks,

Randy

 

Did some research and found this.. http://www.innovativebalancing.com/


Notice the DTR sticky?

 

I use them, love them, they cannot fall off!!!

 

I had them, didn't care for them (*partly due to the tire installer NOT using the correct 'filter' valve stem cores)
I've gone back to hammer-on wheel weights.

* If they don't use the 'filter' cores, everytime you check your tire pressure, the beads get stuck in the valve core sealing surface giving you a slow leak.
First time I checked mine after the balance bead install, I came out the next morning to find three flat tires.
I HAD to give the valve stem a shot of air after checking the pressure to clear the beads out of the seal.

 

I've come across this before, ya just put the chuck on quick to blow out the core, which isnt bad if ur in a shop or something. But you dont always have a chuck when you want to check pressure. This was with equal.
I've changed a few tires that have the glass beads and they do seem to work well. Only problem is if they roll around inside the tire too much, they heat up and will collect rubber off the inside of the tire. I've broken tires down with a good 1/4" dia rubber pellets in them. That's why i prefer Equal over any bead-type balancer. Oh, and watch those beads if they get on the floor, makes it slick as ice!

 

Centramatics here, love them.

 

Yeah I was just talking to my local tire guy today that my family has been good going to forever. He says they are a waste of time.

 

Used this system on my 40' motor home. Was pleased with it.

 

I have also heard of using those airsoft pellets (I believe they are plastic) in trailer tires. I have also heard of the eighteen wheeler trucks using some type of pellets in the tires too. I have not tried ay of this, jsut what "I hear"

 

Do they seem to cause loping at speeds under 30mph. Somebody who didn’t have them told me it was a problem.

 

No issues at an speed with mine, if the truck sits for a week or two, I might have a little vibration for the first 2-3 miles, then it goes away. Smooth as silk on the highway from 0 to..........well to fast

 

I use Equal Tire Balance Powder in my 2005 and I have never had any vibration problems. Love this product

 

Interesting stuff. So far most of the comments I have read have been favorable.

 

I have never used the glass ones but do use the stainless tire balancing beads.. http://callieskustoms.com/CalliesKus...g%20Beads.html
They have worded great in everything I have put them in, mostly truck tires but I did put them in my WRX, Had it up to 120 with no shakes or vibration. That pretty much convinced me

 

Most of the guys I know that use them have large tires and alloy rims. Don't want to have the weights on there and they compensate for lugs getting chipped off the larger rubber.