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08-14-2009, 12:16 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2003 31' Classic
Valparaiso
, Indiana
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 83
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Balance or not
I didn't want to start a new thread, but I can't find any info on balancing AS tires. Is it necessary?
Bob
__________________
Bob-air # 657
I can win any argument on any subject. People know this and steer away from me at parties. Often as a sign of their respect, they don't even invite me. 
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08-14-2009, 12:18 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Yes, it's necessary, and some say you even have to ballance the wheel/tire/and brake drum as a unit.
If they are not ballanced the resulting shake can damage the trailer.
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08-14-2009, 12:31 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
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Bunches of folks have switched away from regular balancing to use either dynabeads or centramatics. It's considerably more money up front, but well worth it in the long run. Inland Andy carries the centramatics now.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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08-14-2009, 02:15 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member 
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
Bunches of folks have switched away from regular balancing to use either dynabeads or centramatics. It's considerably more money up front, but well worth it in the long run. Inland Andy carries the centramatics now.
Lynn |
??What are these?
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08-14-2009, 02:24 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
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It's a doo-dad that mounts between the wheel and the drum with weights that flow about as the wheel turns, keeping the whole business in balance. Here's a pic from Andy's site:
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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08-14-2009, 02:30 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1977 28' Argosy 28
Bullhead City
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
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Interesting!! Can they be used on motorhomes.
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08-14-2009, 03:05 PM
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#7
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,411
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Yep. The manufacturer makes these for tractor trailers also. http://www.centramatic.com/balancer.html
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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08-14-2009, 03:13 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,638
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The best thing to do is to pull the drums off (if they're in good shape...otherwise buy new ones) and take them to a machine shop and have them balanced. Grind off the flange on the heavy side until they dynamically balance.
After that, you MUST CERTAINLY balance the wheel/tire combo.
Now you are shake free and go have a happy day 
__________________
- Jim
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08-14-2009, 03:22 PM
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#9
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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Absolutely Required Unless....
Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
It's a doo-dad that mounts between the wheel and the drum with weights that flow about as the wheel turns, keeping the whole business in balance. Here's a pic from Andy's site:
Lynn |
Yep...balanced running gear (as in tire, rim, and hub) is critical to the life of your AS unless you want to see things come apart.
I've heard good things about the centramatics.
And thank you Lynn for correcting me as I now know Doo-dad is hyphenated. And to think I'd been spelling wrong all these years!
I love picking up the finer points of technical jargan!!!  OK....I'm off my smartie pants podium.
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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08-14-2009, 04:11 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
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Ah, well, doo-dad just seems right. Could be a doomaphlage, though.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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08-14-2009, 05:19 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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The centramatics Do not replace balancing the wheels and rims... You still need to balance the tires and rims. the centramatics just keep it in balance better and they don't start working till you get to about 30 mph...
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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08-14-2009, 05:55 PM
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#12
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,510
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The faster a mass spins and the further away from the center (spinning point) a mass becomes the more critical it is to have that mass in balance on all planes.
For an Airstream, it means having in balance tire/wheel assembly causes less damage to the rivits and structure of the trailer. Because the skin is part of the structure of the trailer.
Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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08-14-2009, 06:43 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
1969 23' Safari
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 26
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dynabeads same to be the same principle, but in the tire instead of between tire and drum $40 including tools and applicators for 4 15 inch wheels as opposed to $200 for the other type!
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