centramatic wheel balancers

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Sep 13, 2007 | 02:15 PM

brwolfjr

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Wayne, PA

centramatic wheel balancers

Has anyone tried these on their SD's? I was thinking about getting a set ($200) but before I did, I wanted to check here for any type of feedback.

www.centramatic.com

Thanks

Sep 13, 2007 | 02:42 PM

Lou Braun

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 1,372

Likes: 14

From: West Cornwall, CT

After looking at their web site and reading the "technical facts" section, I'm thinking snake oil...

The technical facts are flat out wrong. They claim that when their balancers are used, tire temperatures are reduced. The supposed mechanism of temperature reduction would cause any High School physics teacher to have an instant heart attack.

Why not show before and after results with these critters mounted with a tire on a balancing machine? Maybe they don't really work?

Somehow I think a standard wheel balancing is still the best bet.

Lou Braun

Sep 13, 2007 | 02:53 PM

exposition

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Joined: Aug 2006

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My X came with them when I purchased it . I took them off & could not notice any difference .

Sep 13, 2007 | 02:54 PM

Beerstalker

Postmaster

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 4,743

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From: Peoria, IL

I have read about them on here a couple times and people were recommending them. Do a search for centramatic and see what you get.

Sep 13, 2007 | 03:10 PM

brwolfjr

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Wayne, PA

I run 295 75 16 in the summer and 255 85 16 mud terrains in the winter. I cannot seem to get the 295's to balance properly. I get a vibaration between 70 and 83. Right where I would like to cruise at.

I was also skepital of the lower heat numbers. You add metal sliding through a tube. It has to create heat.

I was also a little concerned about adding additional roatating mass on each wheel. That would have negative impact on both braking and fuel economy.

Sep 13, 2007 | 06:08 PM

mcjones44us

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Joined: May 2004

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I've got them and have been pleased. Like most folks, I didn't put them on with a set of worn tires, I put them on when I changed tires. I have BFG AT KOs, size 315. I'm coming up on 55K on them, which is well above what most people get out of these tires, and the wear on the tires is very even.

Sep 13, 2007 | 06:45 PM

greenego

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 435

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From: Brunswick, Maryland

They work. I put them on an 01 superduty 2wd about three years ago. I installed them on my truck just before it was ready for new tires. When I had new tires put on they got the standard computer balancing prior to installation. To make a long story short when I left the dealer where I got the tires and drove down the highway the tires were virtually vibration free at any speed but the wheel weights that they used started coming off the wheels after a few miles of driving. Each wheel lost several ounces of weights but none of them got out of balance and I never had to have them rebalanced to this day. Centramatics will be a part of every heavy duty truck that I'll ever own. This is real world experience and they are the real deal.

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Sep 13, 2007 | 09:59 PM

Frankenbiker

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,741

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I've got them on my Freightliner.

They're best used when setting up a new set of tires. They will not cure tire wear problems if installed on an old set of tires, but will reduce existing vibrations. Similar technology is used in self-balancing washing machines. The Centramatics don't completely elminate vibration, but reduce it to a much more manageable level.

They reduce heat by reducing tire flex as the imbalanced tire bounces down the road. The reduced vibration also makes your shocks last longer.

I've had this particular set of steer tires for a year now, and only today noticed the first signs of excess-toe-in wear, on the driver's side steer tire. Previously, this kind of wear started showing up within the first 4 months of tire life, and the tire is worn down to cords on one rib by 6-8 months, making the tire unuseable, although 4 other ribs have plenty of tread left. I'll get at least another 3 months of life out of the tire, which is easily twice the life I got previously. If I tweak the tie-rod a little, I'll get rid of the little bit of excess toe-in, too.

-blaine