Balance Beads? Experience

[Sureshot]

Looking for input if they really work and your experience.

What about using BB's etc instead?

Frac beads?

 

[JimVonBaden]

BBs corrosive and may cause issues. In motorcycles it is common to use airsoft pellets (like big BBs in plastic) to balance the wheels. Usually about 2 ounces.

Jim

 

[k-os]

I've used Dynabeads in both of my Hawks (motorcycle) and haven't see any uneven wear/balance issues for a little over 2,000 miles of use with them so far.

 

[munepit]

I've used golfballs, BB's and Airsoft. The golfballs and BB's are really loud when you come to a stop. I'm using airsoft now. 14oz of them too!!! In my 42" Bias Swampers. I like them.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

airsoft in my 37s, they work alright. But not perfect.

 

[ears]

We use them in all our trucks at work. Only way to fly

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I use ceramic beads that I order from O'rilley's.

Works great and I don't have to take the time to balance anymore.

 

[DoyleDee]

I ran with BB's in my motorcycle for years... and with that, around 60k miles. No "rust" or anything weird other than I should have had a little more in the front. 1oz in front 2oz in the rear. You will be fine using BB's.

 

[Oldbear]

Here is the link from the Goldwing site:

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1662

I use Dynabeads in my Wing. And I will be putting them in my wife's bike too. The fact that I never have to balance my tires for the life of the tire... the dynamic balancing is great. I highly recommend them over traditional wheel weights - which like to come off at high speed, often in a mountian corner...

 

[LutzTD]

I used the ceramic beads in my 44" super swampers and the 35" Trixus mud tires. Worked well not that there was really any other choice. no one would balance them right for fear of screwing up theier machine. I liked them but in the 44's on the highway there was a period between speed changes that would be bumpy until the beads caught up.

 

[stewie97]

I use them in my yamaha warrior, zero issues...I would recommend them. I couldn't tell you if they offer a better ride than traditionally balanced wheels as I replaced the tires at the same time.

 

[78Bird]

i see lots of bikes and bigger truck tires saying yes, but is this a viable method for normal/performance street car tires?

im intruiged.

 

[JimVonBaden]

i see lots of bikes and bigger truck tires saying yes, but is this a viable method for normal/performance street car tires?

im intruiged.

I wouldn't use them for racing. They wouldn't be that effective with rapid speed changes. For a daily driver they are fine.

Jim

 

[KPSquared]

BB's rusted to **** in my wheeling rig. Switched to Airsoft and they work great.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

Another vote for Dynabeads. I use them in the bias ply tires on my '34 Ford hot rod. No ugly wheel weights on my powdercoated wheels and absolutely no problems with wheel balance. I run 3 ounces in each rear wheel and 2 ounces in the fronts. I also use the tire valve cores with the built-in filter to keep the beads from coming out when checking tire pressure.

Jim

 

[Sureshot]

There is a micro bead ceramic made as an insulation addition for paint.
It'll install through the shrade and so far had not caked.
On my phone away from home. No pic or details available.
Use a straw and an engraving tool as a ********....

I was thinking of asking around the patch for some of the ceramic frac beads. I should be able to get a few pounds when they use them by the ton. I don't know the size but I suppose the smaller the better and they will be like sand.

I run 33" tires and don't balance them. They don't even balance them at the local tire shops unless you want. I started mounting my own tires and was thinking the beads will be better than nothing.

Do they run them at Bonneville?

 

[fourjeepin]

I've been running BBs for about 7 years now. Started because I got beadlocks and thought the BBs would be more effective than golf balls. I have had zero issues with the tires or wheels as a result of these. And yes, I have broken them down to check. That said, I will switch to air soft at some point. As previously stated, the BBs are noisy. I don't hear them when coming up to speed, but when slowing they start to fall off the rubber onto the top of the rim as I drop below 10 mph.

I'm sure this practice would not be endorsed by the DOT or any racing sanctioning body, but it works a heck of a lot better than weights on large off-road tires.

 

[cyamaha2007]

I even use them in my trailer tires. Ive had great luck with them