ExRocketScientist wrote:
Even when they look round, there can be problems. I have heard of out of round tires.....This leads me to my next question for Roger and Barry. We know how important proper balance is for tire wear, but how much heat would one expect to generate in the tires due to an imbalance like I observed the other day. I guess what this is leading to in laymen terms is: since trailer tires generally age out before they wear out -- how important is it for reliability to have them balanced. Note: for the most part, OE trailer tires are not balanced.....
The issue with regards to balance goes back to wear and not so much with durability - the tire staying together.
In the old days, an out of balance bias tire would get a wear pattern they called "cupping" - and just like it sounds, the wear looked like someone had taken a cup shaped scoop out of the tire.
Radial tires don't seem to do that, although the term has been carried forward - incorrectly as radial tires don't generate that kind of wear pattern.
What I am trying to say is that I don't think this is a big issue. Nevertheless, I still think balancing a tire just makes good sense.
ExRocketScientist wrote:
.....Second question is with regards to the ceramic balancing beads. I know some tire manufacturers will not honor their warrantee if they are used. Why? Do these beads damage the liner?
I am not a fan of balancing compounds - beads or whatever. It's clear that the non-rolling tire would be out of balance and it would make sense that every time the tire hit a bump, the tire would go out of balance. I am just not convinced this is a better way - and I wonder if the stuff actually works the way it says.
But I have seen some balancing compounds damage innerliners. Another issue that I would worry about.
