Centramatic Wheel Balancers

Centramatics not only balance the tires, they help to balance the whole wheel assembly. I have them on my semi and they have added additional mileage to the life of the tires. I had tires balanced when installed. Put the centramatics on and could tell the difference. With the cost of a tire over $500.00 each, adding a significant amount of miles on the life of the tire makes the cost worthwhile.

I do not have them on my pick up as do not put enough miles on it to be feasible. I would think any high mileage driving would make sense.

The cost is not prohibitive and only you can decide if the cost is worth it. AS I said, to extend the life of my tires , it is worth it.

artguys wrote:
Happy you asked...to start,

2. Revolutions of the tire wheel combination. If at normal highway speeds 35 to 65 on average the revolutions aren't high enough to create a issue.

3. Unsprung weight...wheel and tire are part of a vehicles unsprung weight. To use my truck as a example the tire and wheel weight are about 75 lbs. That alone is enough to negate any unbalanced condition that could come from the tire or wheel. And I use steel wheels, no alloy, because they work better with radial tires. More can be given on that if needed.

5. Weight placement. Most conventional way of balancing is with wheel weights, tape or clip. The size/amount have been coming down for years, this again because of the quality of the tires being produced. So where are they placed...too close to the center too matter. Same goes for the Centramatics.

thanks for the info..........but I have a few comments....

Pt 2 - Centifugal force is proportional to the square of velocity so as the rotational speed of the tire increases, the resultant force increases exponentially. So double your speed and the resulting force quadruples. Having lost weights on tires, I know from personal experience that vibration at speed does occur as a result.

Pt 3 - don't understand this point. The fact that the wheel is unsprung weight seems like it would be unrelated to an unbalanced condition. If the wheel is vibrating, it would get transmitted to the vehicle.

Pt 5 - Centrifugal force is inversely proportional to the radius. Therefore, the closer to the center, the more impact the weights will have. This will make the centramatics more effective because they are smaller diameter. Also, putting wheel weights on the inside of the wheel rim makes sense.

When I said I did not see much affect from the centramatics, I did not mean I didn't see any affect, it just was not very much and difficult to quantify. After I take my extended trip over the next few weeks, I will have a better idea. Just got back from a 1500+ km trip last week so it will make for a good comparison.

Thanks artguys for taking the time to explain.

Happy you asked...to start, I own a 2009 F250 with camper package and just bought a set of tires from Discount tire. Not only was the balancing refused on this set but it's been many years since I've had any balanced.

1. Because of the quality of tires being manufactured today, unless you own a Porsche 911 or a like vehicle it for the most part isn't needed on most vehicles. Especially so the larger the vehicle becomes. Now a disclaimer...for anyone intent on buying the absolute cheapest tire they can find then balancing may be needed.

2. Revolutions of the tire wheel combination. If at normal highway speeds 35 to 65 on average the revolutions aren't high enough to create a issue.

3. Unsprung weight...wheel and tire are part of a vehicles unsprung weight. To use my truck as a example the tire and wheel weight are about 75 lbs. That alone is enough to negate any unbalanced condition that could come from the tire or wheel. And I use steel wheels, no alloy, because they work better with radial tires. More can be given on that if needed.

4. Suspension...today's suspensions are more in tune with overall design than ever, even frame twist is part of that equation. From reason 1 thru 6 all are connected. Especially so the way vehicles are sprung. On mine the front is sprung so well the OE shocks may never be replaced.

5. Weight placement. Most conventional way of balancing is with wheel weights, tape or clip. The size/amount have been coming down for years, this again because of the quality of the tires being produced. So where are they placed...too close to the center too matter. Same goes for the Centramatics.

As for Equal or other like products the need is so small it's too much of a risk allowing them inside your tires. I've tested them and found no appreciable damage to the liners. However given that the liners used in tires today are not as robust as they once we're and knowing that they probably aren't needed anyway why push it.

6. This is not a opinion, I've spent many years, too much money and resources, along with giving this advice and giving up additional revenues as a result. But the relationship with the customer made it worth the effort.

Again you have to consider each point made and the fact that when tied together the result is convincing. By the way as a consultant I used to charge for this, to you it's free.

I have an odd vibration that I've been chasing for years. Only occurs at two very specific speeds.
So I installed a set of Centramatics. It did nothing.
But I left them on there because they're supposed to make the tires last longer but so far it looks like that's not happening either.

I understand they work well for really big tires that are hard to balance.

artguys wrote:
Centramatics??? Save your money. Now I'm certain that a number here spent money on and swear by them...again, save your money.

Equal??? The only thing you should allow someone to put into your tires is air.

Why?

Centramatics??? Save your money. Now I'm certain that a number here spent money on and swear by them...again, save your money.

Equal??? The only thing you should allow someone to put into your tires is air.

I use Equal and it seems to work well. It will be interesting to know Centramatic works for you. It should be fine. I've found balancing isn't very exciting unless tires are unbalanced. :)