Common sense is a curse. Bad tire balancing.

Haha!

Not a bad idea I guess!

 

Ha! Yep, I’ve noticed that too actually, especially the typing/spelling part. When I was new in Canada and was in high school, “locals” would always ask me for proper spelling.

I used to watch a lot of TV with English subtitles, which helped me a ton.

 

FYI- The CounterAct brand of beads come with special valve cores with some sort of filter on them to prevent any pieces blocking the seal. I’ve actually never had a problem and needed to use them myself.

BB’s, fishing weights and golf balls? Wtf? Redneck or Russian? Lol

I’ve re-used a lot of plastic and ceramic beads and never had a problem with TPMS sensors, even when they’re completely dusty. Maybe I’ve just been lucky.

If I remember, the sand use to clump because of moisture. The only time I had trouble with the plastic or ceramic beads clumping was when I used too much tire lube and some of it fell into the tire during install. You also have to be really careful while pouring the beads in the tire and make sure none of the beads are stuck on the tire bead before mounting (or you might get a rim leak)

 

I've heard about someone using golf balls too, but it was on very large mud tires.
They're like going darkside or double darkside on a motorcycle. There guys that wouldn't do it any other way (me) and others that don't understand and fear it. Most folks just aren't aware it's even possible.

 

The following article from this site below should put all this to rest:
https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/...cing-beads-be-used-in-automotive-applications

It's based on a response from Counteract Balancing Beads. I only began looking into this after buying the beads for my Trailer tires, and then began wondering why their site didn't have a chart specifically for passenger cars. Well, now I know they aren't designed for passenger cars, but they are still well suited for my trailer, and other vehicles with stiff suspensions.

Ask the Expert: Why shouldn't Counteract Balancing Beads be used in automotive applications?
Oct. 13, 2020
Typically, when you are using an internal balancing compound, they perform best on vehicles that present a simple or stiff suspension.

Unlike some companies that recommend using their compounds in small passenger vehicles, we know from extensive testing, suspension dynamics, and a variety of other elements of physics that you cannot guarantee success or improved performance. Having produced Counteract for over 25 years, and working with large manufacturers and suspension specialists, we have only been able to achieve a 74 percent success rate in passenger vehicles. From our research and testing, the largest culprit in the passenger vehicle segment that prevents the product from performing at its best is due to the soft suspension of most cars.

Counteract works with two forces to balance out a rotating wheel assembly: centrifugal force and inertia. Centrifugal force is the natural force that distributes the beads evenly around the inner liner of the tire, while the inertia is what positions them where they need to be. This happens when the upward and downward motion of the suspension, and vibrations of the wheel imbalances force the product to do so. As mentioned above, in most cases on a car the suspension is far too soft or is designed differently than that of a heavier vehicle. While the product will still be able to spread around the tire with centrifugal force, it has problems positioning itself quickly due to the false vibrations or lack of vibrations the wheel-end experiences. This partnered with the various raised chevron designs inside passenger tires can prevent internal balancing products from efficiently travelling to the balanced position. This will lead to intense vibration, or shimmy until the product can shift to the right position, in some cases it never will. Usually, that vibration will last long enough or become dangerous to the point that the driver will be right back to the tire shop, or the installer.

Thanks.

Ric

 

Thanks Sir. Since I, too, was searching for the facts, after I found them, I thought I would share them with all. I figured FACTS instead of insults would rule the day. Appreciate your post. Ric

 

Yes, a couple of people have already posted in this thread that balance beads can’t be used on lower profile tires. Counteract says the same thing. Tacoma tires aren’t considered low profile.

I’m sure I can easily Google ‘Do balance beads work?’ and find other articles with the exact opposite results and opinion of the experts at vehicleservicepros.com. It’s hard to believe anything you read these days without doing major research from many different sources.

I said this before; I’ve used balance beads for 10+ years on a fleet of work trucks, trailers and motorcycle tires and I swear-by-them. They work.

 

I have used them, all the way up to 143mph on a motorcycle. The statute of limitations has passed. They worked great for me. I sure wouldn't dismiss them as snake oil.

 

That article mentions centrifugal force. Doesn’t exist. Hire an engineer for your bead company. Radial and tangential force? Yes. Centrifugal? Go back to school.