Centramatic

So has anyone successfully run a set of the centramatics

http://centramatic.com/ShowItemDetail.aspx?id=12526

on any of the 2nd gens? I've done some measuring and a 1" spaces IS required for the front. plus a 1/4 spacer if you don't want to knock the weights of the back drum's

i have a set of 285's on the truck now that are impossible to balance correctly it seems, 55mph shudder and back again in the late 60mph zone.. the last shop scratched up my rims up, torqued them with an impact to god knows what and trashed my front rotors... so I'm not interested in further re-balancing... basic balance and these should be able to compensate for anything over 30mph.. or so in theory it seems, they can handle to ~ 6oz from what I've read.....

I'm going to take the plunge is no one has any actual real-world experience with them.... I'll post a writeup if that's the case... just curious before i begin my next project.

 

well since no responses looks like i'll be doing a writeup shortly

 

On my dual sport motorcycle I use a different product that employs the same balancing idea. They're called Dyna Beads and they are installed into the tire's tube. They're tiny porcelain beads that slide around to balance in the same manner as the Centramatic shot weights. They also can be used in car/truck tires and are compatible w/ TPMS hardware. I've been happy w/ them, and I'm curious to see how yours work out.

 

Big rigs have used them with success

 

Why do you think you need these? Ive been driving for over 50 years, grew up in a ford dealership shop, worked in repair shops and tire shops, have multiple motorcycles and never had tire balancing problems that couldn't be solved by a simple and often free rebalance. Most good tire sales places offer free rotations and rebalance with there tires, it's in there best interest for you to have a good experience with their product plus it gets you back in the door.

Jim

 

Did you ever get it to work?

 

No, after rolling down the road after install, the OP's front tire fell off from loose lug nuts and the truck rolled about 1/8 mile on the centramatic rings and crashed into a parked 18 wheeler. In return for avoiding a major beating from the 18 wheeler driver, the centramatic balancing rings were installed on the 18 wheeler which fixed the rig's death wobble. The trucker was able to make his delivery on time with the increase in speed from the centramatic install but unfortunately the OP's tacoma was totaled and haven't been heard back from since 2013.

 

funny enough, they did not work out.

their production was extremely poor and lead to additional issues. they were returned for a full refund and i would NOT recommend anyone trying them unless they make a vehicle specific version, even then they couldnt even stamp the holes in the center when i purchased them back in 2012.