I know they sound like snake oil or voodoo magic, but the dynamic balancer's really work. While I picked Centramatic brand dynamic balancers, I am sure the Balance Masters brand works just as well.

My 22 F-450 was delivered with a pretty good wheel balance but had some minor shakes at different speeds. That's the problem with using fixed weights to balance rotating assemblies that have a wide speed range.
That's where dynamic balancers really shine! After I removed all the fixed weights and installed the dynamic balancers, it is smooth as glass across the entire speed range. (edit, still working on a vibration above 74mph, I think it is a wheel centering issue. You can balance an egg but you can't make an egg roll smooth at 75mph).

One of the things I wish Ford would do is allow these as an option at the factory without using the fixed weights. 5 of my 6 wheels had some pretty good sized weights on each side of the wheels.
These fixed weights damage the clear coating on the rim when they are installed and when they are removed. There is no way around it.

The Centramatics do make a little bit of a swooshing sound at slow speed but with the windows up, I can't hear it.

On another note, these dang rear center caps are a pain in the rear to remove. I tried all the various tricks to getting them off. None of them worked without a huge potential of damaging the cap or the wheel with the exception of this one:


PS: That little tool that Ford provides in the spare tire changing kit to remove rear caps is worthless!

 

Great to hear!! Mine are on order so hopefully they'll be here soon!

 

What happens if you don't remove the weights?

 

From what I've read it doesn't matter either way. I'm removing mine cause they are hideous

 

Not sure. Likely as long as the dynamic balancer does not get saturated (there are only so many beads inside) it should automagically compensate for those weights left on. As the tires wear though, this might become an issue.

That's another issue with fixed weights. The balance job is only good for a small speed range and the current condition of the tires at the time of balance.

 

Attached are the answers to this from both Centramatics and Balance Masters-

 

I ordered and installed my Balance Masters and love them. I chose the Balance Masters over Centramatics because I didn't want the low speed noise, the Balance Masters are black and they have vent slots on the steers to facilitate cooling. They also have a lifetime warranty. Either way you cannot go wrong with these types of balancers.

 

I got my Centramatics on last night. Honestly I can't hear them at all. Maybe the diesel sound and tire noise masks it or maybe it's my high frequency hearing loss. Either way they work great. I was able to get the weights off with minimal damage to the wheel. It's hardly noticeable unless you get up close to it. Anyway I'm very happy with them!

 

Roll your windows down and you will hear them at low speeds.

 

I did actually, even had my Wife drive past me at different speeds. I couldn't hear anything other than engine and tire noise.

 

Then your ears are not working properly They sound like sand rolling around in a soda can. If I have my window down, I always hear them when I come to stop or moving slowly through the line at a fast-food joint. I guess the positive side is at least I know the shot is still loose in the tube and working properly.

 

I guess that's one positive thing about having hearing loss!

 

I used the Centramatics on a previous truck to get rid of a slight vibration that traditional wheel weights couldn’t fix. They worked perfectly and I was very happy with them.

Dynabeads inside the tires work extremely well too.