I'm curious if any of you guys are using Equal balancing powder. Their articles sure look good but I'm wondering if you run into problems when airing down or if that's what their new valves are for. Also wondering how many ounces it takes to do a big tire (40-44") and if there are any disadvantages to it like does it all go to hell if you lose your bead? Do you run wheel weights too or does the Equal do it all?

So many questions . . .

 

Okay, most guys will tell you that equal is not a hot ticket in our big tires...and from what I understand about it I'd say they are right. Definitly a no go if you regularly air down. Also, you'd better only add air from a line that has a water trap on it otherwise it will clump from the moisture and screw it up. Also, I've found their valves to be pretty useless.

All that said,

I run equal (I think it was two packets) in my 42" Swamper street tires, and no lead. Smooth as silk, no problems. I just use regular valves. Only fill with my home compresser with a water trap.

Over all, I'd say using bb's is the best balancing trick you can use for big tires, especially if you air down regularly.

 

bb's? Sorry, I'm a retard . . . can you explain?

 

Used it in my Baja Claws. Was not impressed with it. The tires did not always seemed balanced and the tires have worn poorly. I have run larger tires balanced with traditional weights what rode and wear better. Would not use it again.

Equal is suppose to be used alone without any weights and you are suppose to be able to air your tires down like normal. They say that moisture will not cake it either, but all of this I have heard conflicting reports on.

 

Ivan, I have heard of people using golf *****, ball bearings and bb's. The bb's that he is properly referring to is small copper ***** that are coated with zinc.

 

Just like regular pellet gun bb's? Holy crap batman! Never would have thought of that. Are they okay to run on the street or should they be used in a dedicated offroad tire (not that an offroad tire really needs balancing so I guess I answered my own ?). I guess that would count out my internal pressure sensors.

 

Have heard (literally) people drive them on the street. The golf ***** make interesting noises. The bb's don't seem to make too much noise and people say they work better than the golf ***** or ball bearings. Can't speak from personal experience. I know. It sounds crazy, but some people say it works real well!! Try it out and let us know!!

 

What about Centramatic Wheel Balancers.....outta Fort Worth. Good product, just a little pricey. Me personally, I abuse the hell out of the "lifetime balance and rotate" warranty from Discount Tire!

 

Actually, I could see Ivan using the centramatics. I was thinking of them but couldn't remember the name at the time. They'd be perfect for him because they are really expensive and most guys don't use them due to that. I've heard they work as advertised though. Just seems like something the Bling King would have

BBs work great and won't harm your tire. Won't wear like the golf ***** do either. The trick is figuring out how much to use.

 

BTW, here is their site:
www.centramatic.com

And actually, they arent that expensive anymore. I hadnt checked them out in a few years. They are $200 for all four tires for my jeep and prolly for yall's trucks as well.
http://www.centramatic.com/New_Catalog/300series.php

 

I also tried Equal in 38" TSL Swampers...it was pretty much hit or miss. One time they'd run fine...next time they were horrible.

I'm going to try 8pz of BBs in my new TSX's and see what happens.

 

Hmm, not to be predictable but I'm thinking I'll get a set of Centramatic's. They're $200 which isn't cheap but at the same time I'd be spending $40-$60 for Equal which would only work for 1 set of tires. These I can use for life with any set of tires and don't have to worry about getting rebalanced or any of that. Plus I'll get a tiny bit of extra backspacing! Their demo with the strobe light is awesome!

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you to drain my bank account.

 

Lol, I KNEW you would get them once you looked at them. Although...if they've come down in price that much I might have to take another look at them too...

I've never seen them first hand so hurry up and order them Ivan and give us a tech report

You didn't really need any money going to waste in that checking account anyways. Heck...I need to browse through my shop some more and see if theres anymore stuff that you just HAVE to have

 

Any 8-71's hanging out around there Pro? Actually, did you get rid of the finned pan or did it go with the tranny?

Yeah, the price on those are really not too bad. I read about them a while back but I thought it was $200 per wheel and not even I am that stupid. $200 per set is more my speed. I also have a Smartire bling bling digital pressure/temp setup that you mount on the rim before the tire is installed. It sends a radio signal to a unit in the cab that will give you pressure for each tire and the temp it's running at. I was fearful of using bb's because it would get beat to hell. Thought it might be useful so I know what's going on under me . . . and it's one more fancy peice of technology most people don't have.

 

Believe me, if I had any blowers laying around they'd be bolted up to something. I actually still have the tranny and the tci pan. I need to place an ad in the paper for them and get rid of them.

At $200 a set those aren't bad, but I'd still be a little worried that I'd tear 'em up off-road by banging them against a rock. They sit tight around the rim and with the big meats they'd be pretty protected but still...

I swear I don't know where you find stuff like that Smartire thats sends a radio signal to the cab reporting on pressure and temp. Thats actually pretty cool. I'm kind of a gadget freak too but try to adhere to the KISS principal...doesn't always work for some reason