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frozen chosen · 03-28-2005, 10:03 AM

I read, with some amusement, the recent "I'm troubled" string. I am still not sure what this guy was saying or complaining about, but I did notice Inland's mention of the importance of balancing the tire/wheel/hub assembly. With the '04 recall, many of us have new bearings now. Before the recall came out, our 16's bearings failed in a big way, destroying bearings and cracking the hub in two (thanks AS). Is there a need to balance again? In fact, I wonder if my tires/wheels were ever balanced at all; do they do this at the factory? The tires have no leads on them to indicate it was done.

Rebee · 03-28-2005, 10:11 AM

Could the weights be on the back side of the rim?

I would think balancing is good for the longevity of the tires.

markdoane · 03-28-2005, 10:36 AM

There is lots of previous discussion on this; I think the conclusion was that the drums are not balanced at the factory. On that basis, I'm not sure balancing the wheels and tires alone is worthwhile.

frozen chosen · 03-28-2005, 11:17 AM

Jeez, I gotta learn not to ask questions like this - talk about TMI... There is a lot said on this subject; maybe less in the way of conclusions. The Inland site has a nice photo series of what they do. http://www.inlandrv.com/articles/wheel-balancing/

balrgn · 03-28-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozen chosen

Jeez, I gotta learn not to ask questions like this - talk about TMI... There is a lot said on this subject; maybe less in the way of conclusions. The Inland site has a nice photo series of what they do. http://www.inlandrv.com/articles/wheel-balancing/

OUCH!

markdoane · 03-28-2005, 12:25 PM

Yeah, Andy has a great setup to balance the whole deal. That's the right way to do it, if you live within striking distance.

If you live elsewhere, you need to find someone who has the same or similar equipment. The old 'spin balance, on the car' method is good also, but finding anyone who still does it is tough.

Or you can balance the hub/drum separately, which is what I do. Then any tire dealer can balance the wheel and tire. If both parts are balanced, the combination will be balanced.

But since Airstream spends millions on R&D and Quality Assurance, why should we do more than they do?

Silvertwinkie · 03-28-2005, 03:34 PM

You know, I had thought of going the center balancer way.....someone on this forum had posted them and they seemed like a good way to go.

I had a rim burn out like that. I think the dude that fixed my brakes on my car added a bit of heat to the frozen bolts. The rims were 25 years old, and I was lucky, drove it 325 miles home at speeds of 70 MPH and it died after a trip to of all places McDonald's for lunch one day.

Silvertwinkie · 03-28-2005, 03:35 PM

I found the link to the place I was thinking about....here it is:

http://www.centramatic.com/FAQ/faq.php

Pahaska · 03-29-2005, 09:26 AM

I am completely satisfied with the results of my Centramatic balancers. Since putting them on, there is no evicence of vibration in the trailer (no black marks in refrigerator, etc.) and my tires are holding up well.

C Johnson · 04-19-2005, 11:41 PM

The "Line-Up Shop" here in Portland balances tires on the car still. FYI

markjoandall · 04-20-2005, 05:57 AM

Like John in the above post, I use the Centramatic. However I went one step further, I had my hub and wheel assemblies spin balanced with my local mechanic and use the centramatics also. Last year we took an 11,000 mile trip and all worked very well.

The hubs that come from the factory were extremely out of balance. I had one or two hubs that were almost 6oz out of balance. This was before the rims and tires were mounted on the hubs.

Mark

**jcanavera** · 04-20-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

I am completely satisfied with the results of my Centramatic balancers. Since putting them on, there is no evicence of vibration in the trailer (no black marks in refrigerator, etc.) and my tires are holding up well.

John, I just got off the phone with them. They recommended 800-810 model. Is this what you purchased for your trailer?

Centramatic

Apparently I have two dealers in St. Louis handling these. I'm sort of feeling that I might be better off to put these on myself rather than bring the trailer down to someone who really is in the business of handling big trucks. Did you order from them directly or did you go through a local dealer?

Jack

Pahaska · 04-20-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

John, I just got off the phone with them. They recommended 800-810 model. Is this what you purchased for your trailer?

Centramatic

Apparently I have two dealers in St. Louis handling these. I'm sort of feeling that I might be better off to put these on myself rather than bring the trailer down to someone who really is in the business of handling big trucks. Did you order from them directly or did you go through a local dealer?

Jack

I ordered mine through Freightliner of Texas, but I had them put on by the local rural tire store. Actually, they removed each wheel in turn, I placed the balancer on in the correct orientation (ring out), and they reinstalled the wheel. It took about 20 minutes all told. I insisted on being there when they jacked the trailer to show them the jack points.

Oh yes, it was the 800 series, 6-lug model. The only one that fits our hubs.

**jcanavera** · 04-20-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Oh yes, it was the 800 series, 6-lug model. The only one that fits our hubs.

Am I right to assume that the price on the link was the price for 4 or is it per pair?

I'm still trying to keep the kitchen drawers shut when traveling. The dealer for the second time made adjustments. Looks like 2 drawers still slide open when traveling. I'm thinking that this might help.

Jack

C Johnson · 04-21-2005, 12:14 AM

Hello all, I have been doing a resto on my 1965 Caravel. Just wanted to mention how important it is to have everything just so in terms of wheel balance and axle integrity. I have taken all of the interior out of my Caravel. I can tell you without a doubt that having the proper balance and a good axle is VERY important. Nearly all of the screws that hold things together have backed out. Most of the rivets are loose and need replacing on the interior. The plastic on most everything is cracked (badly) and needs to be replaced. It is, I feel, very important to have everything just so , to prolong the life of of your Airstream. having seen what a bad axle and poor wheel balance can do to a rig. Just my two cents.

donhardman · 04-25-2005, 03:21 PM

Oh yes, it was the 800 series, 6-lug model. The only one that fits our hubs.[/QUOTE]

Unless I am missing something on the Centermatic site, the 800 series is for a big truck tire. It looks like the 300 serious has the right hub specs, 15 5.5 centers, 6 lugs. I am about to install new aluminum wheels and Goodyear Marathon tires on my 1976 31' Sovereign and this sounds like a very good product.

http://centramatic.com/New_Catalog/index.php

Don

diesel · 04-25-2005, 06:58 PM

The Centramatic Balancers for my dual axle 1995 Excella 1000 with 15 inch wheels, six lugs on 5.5 inch diameter are Part # 300-556. Even though they sell the 300 Series Centramatic Balancers in sets of four, they can prorate the price if you require balancers for single or triple axles.

The ride is as smooth as glass!

Pahaska · 04-25-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Unless I am missing something on the Centermatic site, the 800 series is for a big truck tire. It looks like the 300 serious has the right hub specs, 15 5.5 centers, 6 lugs.

Don

You're right. It is 300 series. I was having a senior moment.

I'm still very satisfied with the product.