Tire Balancing Beads?

jnclem · #1 10-13-2018, 02:14 PM

I just put a set of style 183 rims on my 2002 X5 4.6is. The front brakes clear the rims, but they did strip off the old tire balancing weights on the rims. I suppose my tire shop could simply re-balance and put the weights a little farther inboard, but I wondered if using tire balancing beads instead would be a good solution. I could do that myself, and I have been using them with great success on my motorcycles for a couple of years.

Anyone have any suggestions on which would be the best way to go?

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80stech · #2 10-13-2018, 06:01 PM

I can't believe that works even on your motorcycle. It goes against the laws of physics that I know. If it has a chance of working there needs be a secondary ring with the beeds in it to offset the imbalance or this will just make it worse! Maybe I am missing something and someone else could chime in. What is the plastic tube for in the picture?

andrewwynn · #3 10-13-2018, 06:10 PM

Is that like a powder that goes inside? I used with my z28 and worked great for z speeds

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bcredliner · #4 10-13-2018, 06:27 PM

Just get them road force balanced.

jnclem · #5 10-13-2018, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

I can't believe that works even on your motorcycle. It goes against the laws of physics that I know. If it has a chance of working there needs be a secondary ring with the beeds in it to offset the imbalance or this will just make it worse! Maybe I am missing something and someone else could chime in. What is the plastic tube for in the picture?

Yeah I know. It doesn’t make any sense to me either, but it not only works, but as the tire wears, the beads shift every time the tire starts to roll and they keep it in balance throughout its life. I’d dont know how that works, but it does. They have been using them on trucks for years. On a MC tire, especially an off road or dual sport tire, the tires tend to change as they wear, and the beads keep everything smooth. Mine have been lasting longer and wearing more evenly. It’s weird.

I wrote that post, and the computer put in the link, I didn’t. But, the tube in the picture is used to pore the beads into the valve stem. I read that on autos you can also just put a bag of them the proper weight for the tire in when you mount the tire. When you start to drive the bag breaks open and releases the beads.

I don’t know why these are not being used more in the auto world. That’s why I asked the question. I will probably just have all 4 wheels rebalanced and have them move the weights inboard a ways.

Ohsoslow · #6 10-13-2018, 11:16 PM

Unsure on what style 183 is, but I spoke to a guy who sells balancing beads, and he said they aren’t effective on wide low profile rims.. in my case 20” on x5. He said to stick with normal balancing.

jnclem · #7 10-13-2018, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohsoslow

Unsure on what style 183 is, but I spoke to a guy who sells balancing beads, and he said they aren’t effective on wide low profile rims.. in my case 20” on x5. He said to stick with normal balancing.

I’m getting rid of my staggered, low-profile wheels - not at all practical for where I live. These are 255/55/18. But that’s good information. Thanks.

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