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gtc6452 · 01-31-2012, 06:00 AM

I put on centramatics and took off all the balance from the tire. Is this what everyone does?. I am letting the centramatics do the work.

ROBERT CROSS · 01-31-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc6452

I put on centramatics and took off all the balance from the tire. Is this what everyone does?. I am letting the centramatics do the work.

Just to be on the "safe" side I balanced ours, (road forced) when I installed the CM's.

Bob

slowmover · 01-31-2012, 06:10 AM

The wheel weights are unnecessary if using the CM's. Read on their site, and on older threads on this forum.

jdalrymple · 01-31-2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc6452

I put on centramatics and took off all the balance from the tire. Is this what everyone does?. I am letting the centramatics do the work.

I decided to leave the wheel weights on. I believe I recall the centramatic web site suggested this.

The theory being that the centramatic can only compensate a given amount. So, if the mass of the tire and wheel is balanced by the wheel weights, the more effect the centramatic can apply to completely balance the entire assembly.

Quite possibly splitting hairs, but sounds reasonable to me.

Regards,

Bob Thompson · 01-31-2012, 07:00 AM

I've had the Centramatics since 2004 and I remember reading something to the effect that the CM's can only correctly balance if the amount of weight needed for proper balance is less than the weight of the beads inside the CM. If your tires are nearly perfect and require very little weight to correct inbalance then you're good to go, otherwise balance the tires and let the CM's correct any slight inbalance which may occur as the tires wear.

silverleeper · 01-31-2012, 07:09 AM

From Centramatics web site. Centramatic

"Should the tires/wheels be pre-balanced?
In most cases, pre-balancing is not required. However, if a vibration still exists after installation, a computer balance of the problem position can indicate a mis-mounted or defective tire, bent wheel or other "out of round" condition, which balancing alone cannot correct. Wheel bearings should also be checked and defective parts replaced."

Seems to me it can only help if you get the tires balanced.

dznf0g · 01-31-2012, 07:15 AM

I balance mine, for the reasons stated above. Since my balance was done w/o the TPMS sensors on, I didn't want the out of balance caused by the sensors to exceed the amount of balance capability of the CMs.

gtc6452 · 01-31-2012, 07:18 AM

thanks all. I think I will have them balanced and then the tpms will be in balance after.

casa3805 · 01-31-2012, 07:25 AM

What a timely thread for me. Hope mine show up in the mail today!

Bluto · 01-31-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Just to be on the "safe" side I balanced ours, (road forced) when I installed the CM's.

Bob

Sorta like wearing a belt and suspenders.

I'd probably do the same thing.

ROBERT CROSS · 01-31-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

Sorta like wearing a belt and suspenders.

Criteria......bulge above=suspenders..

Bulge below=not so much.

Bob

Bob Thompson · 01-31-2012, 08:16 AM

The Road Force balance is something a bit different. Because of variations in the sidewalls and the tread area, tire carcases have differences in "stiffness" at points around the circumference of the tire. As tires roll, these stiff areas make the tire feel out of round and/or out of balance even though the tire may be perfectly round. On a non-Road Force balance machine the tires will appear be perfectly balanced but the tires will ride like they are egg shaped. The Road Force balance attempts to correct this. Variations of 25 pounds or more of Road Force variation are common. For what it's worth, I've read that the Michelin LTX M/S are one of the best tires when it comes to variations in Road Force with most tires having a variance of less than 5 lbs. per tire.

Bluto · 01-31-2012, 08:51 AM

B. Thompson,
Thanks for that info!
Interesting stuff.

Alumaholic · 01-31-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

Sorta like wearing a belt and suspenders.

I'd probably do the same thing.

Only more stylish.

BAB · 01-31-2012, 04:31 PM

For what it's worth, I just mounted my new 16" wheels with the Michelin LT's. Also added Dill TPMS to the four tires. My tire dealer did a road force balance on them, gave me a diagram telling me which wheel went where (LF, LR, RF, RR), I slid on the new Centramatics, then the new tires and wheels. I am READY to roll. The decision to swap out the tires and wheels on my brand new trailer and go with the 16"ers came from reading on this site and the misery of those who've suffered multiple problems with the OE 15" Marathons. I didn't do a cost-benefit analysis, but mitigating risk is priceless as far as I'm concerned --- thus the Road Force balance PLUS the Centramatics. Overkill? Maybe. BUT, maybe not.

Alumaholic · 01-31-2012, 04:35 PM

I'd like to see what wheels you selected and hear more about who you purchased them from.

casa3805 · 01-31-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

I'd like to see what wheels you selected and hear more about who you purchased them from.

I had asked the same thing of BAB and was promptly answered on post 245 of the thread Tires, Tires, Tires. Original PO of that thread is Bob Thompson.
BAB said "Wheels are Tredit 03's (all silver, clear coated), I ordered them directly from Tredit." along with much more info if you want to see it. BAB even has a good pic of the wheels on that same thread.
I then called Tredit and have to tell you, the Texas office has not given me the best buying experience a person could have. PM if you want some details.

But, that said, I ordered the TR4's since the T03's were out of stock. They should get here tomorrow, and I hope the centramatics are close behind.. Already have the tires. Ready to mount and go camping!

overlander63 · 01-31-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAB

For what it's worth, I just mounted my new 16" wheels with the Michelin LT's. Also added Dill TPMS to the four tires. My tire dealer did a road force balance on them, gave me a diagram telling me which wheel went where (LF, LR, RF, RR), I slid on the new Centramatics, then the new tires and wheels. I am READY to roll. The decision to swap out the tires and wheels on my brand new trailer and go with the 16"ers came from reading on this site and the misery of those who've suffered multiple problems with the OE 15" Marathons. I didn't do a cost-benefit analysis, but mitigating risk is priceless as far as I'm concerned --- thus the Road Force balance PLUS the Centramatics. Overkill? Maybe. BUT, maybe not.

I had another Marathon come into the shop yesterday with a bulge in the sidewall. The trailer has Centramatics on it, but the funny thing is, the round weight-thing with the beads had disappeared on three of them. One of those three was the bulging tire.
I'm glad you got the Michelins and the 16" tires, I think you'll really like them.

dznf0g · 01-31-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

I had another Marathon come into the shop yesterday with a bulge in the sidewall. The trailer has Centramatics on it, but the funny thing is, the round weight-thing with the beads had disappeared on three of them. One of those three was the bulging tire.
I'm glad you got the Michelins and the 16" tires, I think you'll really like them.

WOW! how could that happen unless the welds holding the ring to the plate came loose AND the ring opened up, expanded enough to span the diameter of the drum or rotor hub? There's gotta be more to that story?????

overlander63 · 01-31-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

WOW! how could that happen unless the welds holding the ring to the plate came loose AND the ring opened up, expanded enough to span the diameter of the drum or rotor hub? There's gotta be more to that story?????

The trailer owner is sending one of them back for failure analysis. I asked him to let me know what they determine. I've never seen it before, and the Centramatic people had never heard of it, either.