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balancing beads

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by edwardob, Jul 3, 2013.

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  1. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    anyone tried this yet

    AircoledTech.com's "Tools-On-The-Cheap" Wheel balancing With
    Beads

    i got myself 4 goodyear effeicient grip 195/65 15 tyres.....and have put them myself...and now i will try this balancing beads thing
    and let you know how i got on

    between putting tyre on myself and balancing [if it works]..can save 30-40 euro
     
    #1 edwardob, Jul 3, 2013
  2. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    IF it will work on a vehicle, it can be proven on a wheel balancer. I would certainly test this theory before I put the tires on the vehicle.
     
    #2 gliderman, Jul 3, 2013
  3. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    actually apperently not on wheel balancer.....something to do with it being static.....whereas on moving car..wheel constantly moving up/down

    i not an engineer so cant give you reasons why...
    plenty to google out there...even youtube

    i will try.......l will know after few kilometers anyway..no big deal to test
     
    #3 edwardob, Jul 3, 2013
  4. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    The bouncing up and down does not help the argument. Bouncing up and down would simply cause more destabilization of the position of the balls.

    The balls have no ability to seek out the areas that are causing the tire and wheel to be unbalanced.

    Most good tires and wheels are not badly out of balance when new. So you may never know if the balls work until the tires have had some miles on them and start to wear unevenly.

    But let us know how it works out for you. Good Luck!
     
    #4 gliderman, Jul 3, 2013
  5. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    Tire balancer would be the only short term, immediate test if a tire/wheel is balanced properly.
     
    #5 garm, Jul 3, 2013
  6. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    seems to be controversal among those who have never tried it..those who have swear by it
    take your pick



    slightly diff method...same idea


    or



    will notice soon enough at 100kmh
     
    #6 edwardob, Jul 3, 2013
  7. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    So every time you accelerate from a stop, you have unbalanced wheels? How about emergency braking that basically locks up the wheel? Or loss of traction on wet pavement?
     
    #7 garm, Jul 3, 2013
  8. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    asking wrong person in me!
    but those scenarios you mention are only momentarily

    i will try today and let you know
     
    #8 edwardob, Jul 4, 2013
  9. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    well i removed all the old weights.......pour in beads[120grms]....pump up my new tyres went for short..trip...max speed was 50mph/85kmh
    noticed no adverse effects.....i put them in rear wheels first...just in case.......

    so far so good!
     
    #9 edwardob, Jul 4, 2013
  10. Maroon

    Maroon Member

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    Keep us posted. I like the idea of permanent wheel balancing for the life of the tire.
     
    #10 Maroon, Jul 4, 2013
  11. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    yeah only rear wheels at moment......no vibration no nothing after 30km
    putting front wheels on tomorrow....no weights...just beads ...let's see
     
    #11 edwardob, Jul 4, 2013
  12. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    front wheels done
    put my new goodyear excellent grip performance 195/65 15 on front with 120grm beads

    now all wheels done

    drove about 10km at 1ookmh [60mph]...did'nt notice any vib wobble etc
    unlesss i should be looking something else?
     
    #12 edwardob, Jul 5, 2013
  13. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    So every time you accelerate from a stop, you have unbalanced wheels?...stopped>don't need balanced wheels....>accelerate>beads fly into their positions quickly


    How about emergency braking that basically locks up the wheel?... locked wheel is stopped...balance only needed when moving

    Or loss of traction on wet pavement?.....balance least of your problems at that point

    as long as wheel is moving it's balanced......
     
    #13 edwardob, Jul 6, 2013
  14. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Very interesting and it seems to solve a lot of problems. I wonder why tire manufacturers haven't caught on to this. Is this the same concept used in washing machines to balance out an uneven load during the spin cycle?
     
    #14 jhinsc, Jul 6, 2013
  15. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    OK this is crazy
     
    #15 MPGnutcase, Jul 6, 2013
  16. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    How quickly?

    You are moving -- and when the wheel gains traction again you now have an unbalanced wheel - at speed.

    I'd like to test this myself, I'll keep a skeptically open mind until then.
     
    #16 garm, Jul 6, 2013
  17. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    As the silica beads always go to ground when stationary I'd think green slime would be a better choice, it's going to stop any air leaks, it's going to stay in the position it is flung into by centrifugal force, evenly coating the interior walls, filling depressions, and balancing the wheel. It isn't always moving, causing friction, wearing out the inside of the tire and actually decreasing the efficiency of the wheel as the car moves;) (about as much as hitting a mosquito;) )
     
    #17 ursle, Jul 6, 2013
  18. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    as i found on other forums.....this is controversal...and a lot of speculation about this and that and opinions,,,,

    as i said those who try it are convinced!
    in bigger tyres....trucks etc GOLF BALLS have been used....and owners very happy...

    why tyre manufacters dont use ??.....they dont fit the tyres!!

    tyre shops....will lose money

    why do we mod our cars...because the manufacter has not done a few things we want!

    so far i am happy with beads ..what can i say
     
    #18 edwardob, Jul 6, 2013
    garm likes this.
  19. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    That's for sure!
     
    #19 garm, Jul 6, 2013
  20. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    The only down side is the beads may damage inside liner of the tire when the beads flying around before settling down or during deceleration.
    The bead manufacturer probably won't tell you that.
     
    #20 bedrock8x, Jul 6, 2013
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