Air soft bbs/ tire balancing

Has anyone here actually use air soft bbs to balance tires? I got 265/75/16 Duratracs and had balancing issues since I’ve had them. Considering giving this a try.

 

Wut? Thats a first

 

You know depending on the bb its only .12-.25 grams . You be better off just usinf quarters or actually buying the weights because they are cheap

 

I see people on YouTube doing it, but don’t see any updates to any long term pros or cons.

 

What do you mean? Like the put bbs on as weights or to see where the weights need to be?

 

No balancing beads is what he's refering to, used in large truck tires.

 

Ah okey, never heard of that

 

That’s right. They are balancing beads specially made for that. Also people you the plastic air soft bbs as well.

 

Why don't you be the 1st to use different beads other than balance beads.

 

I had the balance beads on my Tundra......worked fine for 4-5 years, then they seemed to 'clump up'. Was told probably got moisture in the tires.

Have had them in my Duratracs on my Bronco for 7 years without a single issue!!!

 

Do you have the actual balance beads like dynabeads or air soft?

 

Regular balance beads.......tire shop installed a bag in each tire when putting them on the wheels. On the Tundra, added them thru the valve stems. Took the shop forever and I don't think they put in as many beads.

 

Lots of people use balancing beads on motorcycles too. I used dynabeads once,
they seemed to work.

-Mike

 

I never did the beads, did use rv antifreeze in my sami. Too easy to spin a tire once you're aired down. It would be a constant trip to the tire shop to rebalance.

The only real downside is it takes a second for the weight to get where it needs to be once you stop. I think the only difference between balance beads and airs oft is the balance beads are sized to fit down a valve stem.

 

Thanks for the info. That’s the biggest difference I’m seeing as well besides air soft beads are cheaper.

 

Uep, as long as you can break a bead and seat it, should work well.

 

If I'm reading this right, you're suppose to measure it properly. Not dump the entire bag in each tire.

 

That’s right. There’s a chart showing how many ounces to put in each tire depending on your tire size. If your using air soft bbs, you measure the correct amount. If your getting the “balance beads” you order each bag already measured out and pour each bag in each tire.

 

I have them in all my tires the only thing I notice first few miles in the morning the truck shakes.

I can only guess it takes some heat and movement till they balance again .

I also notice almost the same effect after driving at 45mph for some time then increasing speed to 65

They were installed with the New Tires last spring

 

I've used them in the past with mixed results when running 37's and beadlocks -

First time (KO2's on trail gear creeper locks) I had zero luck, they were little to no help. In the end I had to have them road force balanced... and this is why beadlocks and beads can suck... because the first time mounting them, it was too late to get to a shop for a balance by the time we finished, and I had a trip in the morning; so we broke them back down and threw in airsoft BB's; it didn't work... and that was a long drive too/from the trail the next day! Then, when I got home I had to break them down and suck the BB's out so I could take it to a shop to spin... they couldn't get them to balance, so I tried beads again, just using more beads (which meant breaking down the rings yet again), which still didn't work... so then someone said to get them road force balanced, so broke them down once again to suck out the beads...took them to get road force balanced, and that did the trick. They were good to go after that.

Second time (Toyo MT's on ATX Slabs), I swore I would never bother with beads again... but then couldn't find a shop that could spin them (the last place I used had a policy change and said they wouldn't touch beadlocks at all anymore, and another, their machine couldn't get them spinning); so gave them another shot. This time they certainly helped, but would still start to get shake over 65mph, and couldn't go much past 70 (so not perfect, but good enough). Also, when hitting bumps they would some times come out of balance and shake for just a second or two.