Balancing Beads?

[Trail X]

It's not the road load that makes the beads work... it's the fact that the wheel is essentially free to move up and down. As the wheel gets offset weighted, it causes the tire to bounce or vibrate, and due to that freedom of the wheel/tire, the beads readjust. So this method actually requires the tire to become off-balance in order to automatically balance itself.

I'm surprised there isn't some sort of desiccant included in the package, as I imagine any moisture could cause minor clumping... which would probably work against the system. For that matter... do the bead companies say you can't use tire slime? I'm sure you can't, but maybe that was said before...

[Zero]

the beads dont seem to be made of something that would make them stick together in moisture.

as for tire slime. i dont think it would be a good idea. youd be better off using a tire repair kit. and throwing a very small amount of beads back into the tire till u get back to a shop.

[Zero]

Back from my cross country drive. The beads worked really well. Kept things nice and ballanced. Although I do notice I have to re adjust the psi in the tires every so often. This was a problem before the beads. I also noticed that around 85 90mph the tires start to un balance a tad. So I am gona talk to my tire guy and see maybe we need to add just a bit more beads in each tire or something.

I also need to go and get my alignment checked after the long drive and 3 days in the desert with Roadie.

Ill post back here and on my tire review thread once I get all that done.

[The Roadie]

... 3 days in the desert keeping up with Roadie....

There, I fixed your post for you.

[Zero]

... 3 days in the desert keeping up with Roadie....

There, I fixed your post for you.

Haha, I did my best. Next time I come out there I hope to have a few more mods, and my own camping gear. I think I have my gf into the idea of getting a roof top tent hahaha....Id love the one from ARB, and their electric fridge for the long rides. Now thats the good stuff.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Balancing Beads....

One of the guys I trailride with has true dot beadlocks and decided to try the cheap version of balancing beads and go with the crossman air gun pellets from walmart. He siad at slower speed they seemed to make it a little smoother, but at higher speeds they made it worse, so he removed them and had them balanced and they are better than ever. He runs 17x9 beadlocks and 35 1250 17 km2's.

This doesnt mean the real beads dont work, but hopefully will keep anyone from wasting money at wally world.

[That1Guy]

So reading up on another forum I frequent I came across a guy who said he used air soft bb's. It is exactly the same concept and since they are plastic you don't need to worry about condensation. I think when I get my Honda back the TB's going to get some of those in the front tires.

[HARDTRAILZ]

So reading up on another forum I frequent I came across a guy who said he used air soft bb's. It is exactly the same concept and since they are plastic you don't need to worry about condensation. I think when I get my Honda back the TB's going to get some of those in the front tires.

I had a buddy try them in his jeep and he said it did not do anything. But I have also read that they work. I guess they could be worth a shot.

[Zero]

Before I had a wear problem on my tires, I can absolutly tell you they work. 100% , and worked really well.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I keep thinking of trying them. Might be buying some extra tires and wheels to resell and may try it in those to see how I like them. Voltage says his work really well, but he bought them as balance beads, he did not try airsoft.

[Zero]

I wouldnt go with airsoft. get the proper stuff made for auto use. Also you have to weigh out the correct amount based on your tire size.

if it was as simple as putting in those plastic bb's, this would be common practice, and common knowledge....dont ya think?

[That1Guy]

I wouldnt go with airsoft. get the proper stuff made for auto use. Also you have to weigh out the correct amount based on your tire size.

if it was as simple as putting in those plastic bb's, this would be common practice, and common knowledge....dont ya think?

I remember reading somewhere that you cant really overuse the balancing beads. But after thinking about it I do think the bb's are too big and weigh too much individually to work properly.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I thought the plastic bb's were too light...

[Zero]

My final opinion is, I dont trust the beads. I had lead weight put on the wheels and beads removed at my recent rotation. There is less vibration, but its still there due to my feathered tire.

there are a million different things that affect tire wear, I dont need to add "worry about beads" to the list.

[HARDTRAILZ]

My final opinion is, I dont trust the beads. I had lead weight put on the wheels and beads removed at my recent rotation. There is less vibration, but its still there due to my feathered tire.

there are a million different things that affect tire wear, I dont need to add "worry about beads" to the list.

You want to sell the beads? I have some big used meaty tires that lead usually wont balance very well, so I dont think the beads could hurt in that situation.

[Zero]

I think I only have 1 bag of beads that is un opened. I paid $10 for it, so Ill sell it for that if you want it. If you want, you can always check your local truck stop. Many of the 18 wheelers and other large transport trucks use balancing beads.

[HARDTRAILZ]

How many bags do you need? I like the idea, but have not had time to price it out. If its too much I will just run them unbalanced since they are just for playing, but since they are practiaclly new--one is new--I figured it would be worth trying something on them so i can drive them to Badlands and back without too much vibration.

[Zero]

I used 3/4 of a bag per tire. There is a calculation on the bag to figure out how much beads to use for your size tire. The beads are weighed out in grams.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Sweet. What brand are they or where did you buy from? I was told about some sort of granule powder as well that works for big offroad tires and on big trucks, but havenot found any info on it yet. i just know my swampers have been a bitch to balance in the past with traditional methods and since they are used, they will prolly never balance without trying something different.

[irishboy02]

I'm iffy about these. I have them on (in?) my new tires and they're a little off. Maybe the person i bought them off of didnt put enough or maybe too much but they definately still feel very out of balance, however i havnt even put 100 miles on them yet, maybe theyl settle in? Dont know for sure, but so far im not a fan