Centramatic Balancers
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Land Of Time
Centramatic Balancers
Hey All,
I ordered a set for the front and rear of my dually, did some searching with no real-world answers as to whether or not the wheels require balancing before using them. I was planning on balancing the inner rear duals as they are steel, but Id rather not pound on weights on the new wheels, and stick on's wont work. I called centramtic and they aid they will work either way and they have no definitive recommendation as to balance or not balance the wheels. Im trying to combat the corrosion that occurs up here with the clip on weights and the steel valve stems, that was an easy fix I used a TPMS kit from a SRW truck. Any advice 1 way or the other to help me make an educated decision please.
Also, how noisy are they at low speeds? There isn't a sole around up here that has used them so I have nothing to go on.
Thanks,
Sarge
I ordered a set for the front and rear of my dually, did some searching with no real-world answers as to whether or not the wheels require balancing before using them. I was planning on balancing the inner rear duals as they are steel, but Id rather not pound on weights on the new wheels, and stick on's wont work. I called centramtic and they aid they will work either way and they have no definitive recommendation as to balance or not balance the wheels. Im trying to combat the corrosion that occurs up here with the clip on weights and the steel valve stems, that was an easy fix I used a TPMS kit from a SRW truck. Any advice 1 way or the other to help me make an educated decision please.
Also, how noisy are they at low speeds? There isn't a sole around up here that has used them so I have nothing to go on.
Thanks,
Sarge
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
I don't have a dually, but I took my weights off. I heard the ones for my truck will balance up to 6oz, my largest wheel had 4.75 or so. You can always add weights if they aren't enough.
I can hear mine with the window down at low speed in a parking lot. There's guys with them on duallys and I'm sure they will chime in.
I can hear mine with the window down at low speed in a parking lot. There's guys with them on duallys and I'm sure they will chime in.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 86
Likes: 37
For the rear balancers on mine I only removed the weights from the outer aluminum wheels and left the steel inners how they were balanced from the factory, easy to do and only have to remove the outer wheels!
As to the noise, with the windows up I hardly notice them at all. With the windows down or when going through a drive thru especially it sounds like a rain stick. I don't think it's unpleasant at all but I guess it depends on the person.
After 25ish no noise whatsoever, the beads found their home.
As to the noise, with the windows up I hardly notice them at all. With the windows down or when going through a drive thru especially it sounds like a rain stick. I don't think it's unpleasant at all but I guess it depends on the person.
After 25ish no noise whatsoever, the beads found their home.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 44
From: Weatherford
I left the weights on with mine but lately I’ve read a few have had the best results with no weights. As far as the noise, it does sound like a rain stick. First time I heard it at a drive thru, I panicked, thinking something was wrong with the truck. My wife reminded me it was the balancers.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 137
I haven't use them on a dually, but did have them on a set of LT315/75R16s and they worked on several sets of tires. At first, I added them in addition to the weights already installed that weren't helping enough. They definitely helped. After some time, the weights came off and the centramatics still helped. I recommend them.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 197
Likes: 67
I just returned the set I bought....was not that impressed. I am chasing a vibration around 47 mph, and then again at 60-68. The balancers changed the vibration, but did not take it away.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 4,971
I would leave the balance weights on, as mentioned the centramatics will only offset a limited amount of imbalance.
I just installed a set on my F250, but have only driven it a short distance so far, but they seem to be working.
Also, I never noticed any noise coming from them, although I sometimes don't hear much over my Tinnitus anyway.
I just installed a set on my F250, but have only driven it a short distance so far, but they seem to be working.
Also, I never noticed any noise coming from them, although I sometimes don't hear much over my Tinnitus anyway.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 110
I have had these on 3 duallies since 2008, hopefully soooon on my ordered 2022.
Aside from bilstein steering dampener and shocks, hands down the best thing to spend $ on during the first few months of ownership- before symptoms appear.
The theory on removing weights is that if you already have a balance issue, the existing weights are probably in the wrong places through either tire wear or tossing a weight. This will require the centramatics to work harder, but they will find the required balance. If you have newly balanced or have reasonably new tires, no harm is done by leaving the weights in place. If any tire has a lot of various weights, I would take it off and have it rebalanced and both tire and rim checked for out of round or being bent out of true.
Regarding noise at low speeds with windows down. Yes it is there, but I have had only one Ford tech in 13 years ever mention it and question if I heard it or knew what it was ( I did).
Fully endorse the product and supplier.
Aside from bilstein steering dampener and shocks, hands down the best thing to spend $ on during the first few months of ownership- before symptoms appear.
The theory on removing weights is that if you already have a balance issue, the existing weights are probably in the wrong places through either tire wear or tossing a weight. This will require the centramatics to work harder, but they will find the required balance. If you have newly balanced or have reasonably new tires, no harm is done by leaving the weights in place. If any tire has a lot of various weights, I would take it off and have it rebalanced and both tire and rim checked for out of round or being bent out of true.
Regarding noise at low speeds with windows down. Yes it is there, but I have had only one Ford tech in 13 years ever mention it and question if I heard it or knew what it was ( I did).
Fully endorse the product and supplier.
Last edited by JohnD333; May 11, 2022 at 09:20 PM. Reason: Typo
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 388
Likes: 231
On my F-450 for about 10k miles now. I left all the original weights on, per rec from Centramatic. Mine is smooth as silk at all speeds and at 14k tires are showing no signs of cupping as is not uncommon on the 450’s. Like others, loudest at slow speed near a wall or obstacle. I like the sound 
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 183
Likes: 27
From: Northern CA
If you woudl let me know if you find your fix. Thanks
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 508
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Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,460
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From: The Land Of Time
I'm putting brand new wheels and brand-new tires on the truck, I will balance the steel inner duals and run the outers without weights and see how it goes. If I get any vibrations I'll have the wheels balanced. Ill give it a shot, I just need to wait for the delivery guy to do his job now so I can get the new stuff on the truck.
Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies, I may even pick up a set of these for my GMC and see if that helps with the cupping issue on that truck. I'm hoping to keep the weights off of these wheels and prevent the corrosion issues I had with the OE ones, if only I complained about it sooner they would've covered the wheels for me.
Ill post back once the centramtics come in and the wheels are on, I'll take it for a rip down the highway and see how it goes before I start towing for the season.
Sarge
Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies, I may even pick up a set of these for my GMC and see if that helps with the cupping issue on that truck. I'm hoping to keep the weights off of these wheels and prevent the corrosion issues I had with the OE ones, if only I complained about it sooner they would've covered the wheels for me.
Ill post back once the centramtics come in and the wheels are on, I'll take it for a rip down the highway and see how it goes before I start towing for the season.
Sarge
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 1,197
From: Southeast MO
I'm putting brand new wheels and brand-new tires on the truck, I will balance the steel inner duals and run the outers without weights and see how it goes. If I get any vibrations I'll have the wheels balanced. Ill give it a shot, I just need to wait for the delivery guy to do his job now so I can get the new stuff on the truck.
Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies, I may even pick up a set of these for my GMC and see if that helps with the cupping issue on that truck. I'm hoping to keep the weights off of these wheels and prevent the corrosion issues I had with the OE ones, if only I complained about it sooner they would've covered the wheels for me.
Ill post back once the centramtics come in and the wheels are on, I'll take it for a rip down the highway and see how it goes before I start towing for the season.
Sarge
Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies, I may even pick up a set of these for my GMC and see if that helps with the cupping issue on that truck. I'm hoping to keep the weights off of these wheels and prevent the corrosion issues I had with the OE ones, if only I complained about it sooner they would've covered the wheels for me.
Ill post back once the centramtics come in and the wheels are on, I'll take it for a rip down the highway and see how it goes before I start towing for the season.
Sarge