Tyre Beads, a balanced approach

[kbushnz]

Ok with all the talk of balancing beads I thought I would give them a go.
I have a set of Simex 35x10.5x16's which are not balanced.
The cost to get all 5 done was ridiculous...(fitted them up myself)
So I gave Warren at 4WDbits a ring and ordered some beads....
They arrived today.. dont ask me how much as I haven't seen the bill yet

So here is the basic info...
Simex 35x10.5x16
Tractor tyre tubes with the TR218 tractor valve.
Esco balancing beads 3x 13oz bags (each bag contains a valve with filter on end)
The beads range from 2 to 2.5mm in diameter

According to the Esco application chart a
35x12.5x15 or 16 requires 6oz (170g) of beads.
Note: running them in tubes is acceptable probably better as the tube is smooth inside and if you roll a bead no chance of loosing the beads...

So i have added a bit more using 7.8oz (221g) across my 5 wheels.


What worried me was getting beads jammed in my tyre deflator when airing down or beads flying out the valve hole.
So I did an experiment..Put on my safety specs and ear muffs
Pumped tyres to 40psi and ran the wheel a few times around the yard and positioned it with the valve at the bottom.
Removed the valve core. And threw a rag over to catch any beads. Guess what none came out.
So pumped her up again and ran it around to stirr up the beads.
This time removed the whole tractor valve (big hole) again no beads came out.
Sweet
However I am still concerned getting a bead or two in the hole of the valve and jamming up the works when airing down.
So I modified the tractor valve and glued a fine stainless mesh over the hole and then poked some larger holes in it to let more air out.
Seems to work.

Here is a photo of the valve core with filter on its end.


If you use std valves then it would just be a bit trickier to get beads in and then you can use the filtered valve core... However there is only one per bag so not sure if you can buy them on their own..
I think they sell 5oz bags too.

Hopefully over the weekend I will put them on the truck and go for a spin down the motorway and around town...And report back.

[Smurf]

Lets try a comparison then.
I have done the same but ended up getting Counteract balancing beads,
Cost me $110 for two bags (12oz each/340grams) each bag conatains more than the stated weight too.
Each of my tyres, 33/12.50/15 requiring 6oz each according to the Counteract chart.
The counteract beads appear a lot smaller than the ones kbushnz used.
Each bag came with a longer valve stem and a metal cap. I am running short tubeless valve stems so had to stay with short valves.
I am running tubeless at the moment.
First front tyre I just removed the valve and deflated the tyre, then put a short length of 5/16 clear tube over the valve with a small funnel jammed in the top and slowly poured the beads in, they don't flow too well, so used a small kitchen stick blender to vibrate the tube and move the beads, very slow, 6-8 minutes to get all the beads in.
Second Tyre I noticed a damaged valve stem so took it to the tyre shop to be replaced and I just poured the beads in while the tyre bead was open. 10seconds and $5 later ready to back on the truck.
I haven't done the back tyres yet, but after removing 180 grams of weights from one front tyre and 120 grams from the other I went for a drive.
Seemed good. Next day I have a bad wobble at 70kph, fine all other times, so I am wondering if the front needs another 20oz of beads added to each tyre?
Will wait til I put the beads in the back first though and see what happens there.
First impression though, is it definitely drives no worse than it did with the wheel weights fitted. Note here, I had a wheel alignment and balance done two monthts ago.
Will add a few pics after fitting beads to the rear tyres.

[4WDbits]

We have the beads for sale now, 13oz bag $27.99 and a 10oz bag for $25.99, the larger bag is better value for money.

The application charts we've seen are all based on road and all terrain tyres. More beads will be required for tyres that generally require more weight such as Simex and Silverstone. Rim run out also affects the weight required. If you have the patience, put the recommended weight in, if there is tyre wobble put another 10% to 15% in.

From our estimate there is over 50% more weight in beads than a typical tyre would require in wheel weights.

Next we're going to try them with the internal bead locks.

And if you weigh the beads into a plastic bag to tip into the tyre, make sure the bag doesn't have a hole in it

[Jerry]

skid just fitted some to the front of mine to try out, seem good

[kbushnz]

I haven't put mine on yet.. If the weather is dry Thursday or Friday I will throw them on and take them for a run down the motorway...

[rangimotors]

would be interesting if they frooze together

[kbushnz]

Ok have finally put my wheels back on the truck today and went for a blast down the motorway...
First did some 50kph driving to warm up the Simex's...
Then down the motorway...
Still have my wobble.....not quiet as bad....
Have checked for runout... Rims are sweet.. Small wobble in the tyres but not the worst I have seen....My KL71's are worse as my rims are all bent up...
So will need to up the weights me thinks...
The rear seems fine... Used to really shake the tool box....
Oh well round two.....

[skid]

been searching the website of the product I used but cannot find the relevant chart for how much to use

but from memory it told me for a 33/35" tyre to use the bag containing 8.5oz

the bags we had contained 10.5 oz

I have put them in bias ply 33" pitbulls and also Jerrys front wheels only on his 33" Federal Radials

Jerry is at godley and informs me they were sweet all the way down, and the pitbulls we have them in are good as well

so if you only put 6oz in your 35" simex I would be inclined to possibly double it dude


edit # found site and link to chart http://www.techtirerepairs.com/ProdPage ... chPlus.htm

[Andy Reeves]

This looks like the go for 4 x 4 tyres;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330762737818?ss ... 1423.l2649

Looks like an honest trader so I'm gonna try some in my Jungle trekkers cos I've had enough of all the gear rattling in the back. Cheers Andy.

[bda4130]

I thought I would give these a try as my simexes are getting a bit shaky... I have tubes and they won't fit through the valve holes... Arghhhh!!!!.
The smallest ones will go in but when the larger ones go in they jam up in the valve stem.

I take it tractor tubes have a way bigger valve stem ID? Guess I'll be getting some of them if so

[kbushnz]

so if you only put 6oz in your 35" simex I would be inclined to possibly double it dude

I put in almost 8oz.... But that's depending on what site you look at.
So I am gunna add a bit more and see what happens...

[4WDbits]

TR218 tractor style valve has approx. 8mm internal diameter hole, so easy to put beads in.

One of the 36 inch TSL swampers with internal beadlock has over 300 grams (over 10oz) of weight on at present, so it will get a clean out, remount and then throw it on the balancer to see how much weight to put in.

[Smurf]

Drove back to Nelson from CHCH on my 33 Bighorns, after doing the Godley trip. Front wobbled al the way home, not too bad, but at 70-80kph was quite bad. I think I will add more beads to the front, as I removed over 280 grams of weights off each wheel when we added the beads, only added 170grams of beads, as per the counteract website recommendation.

[4WDbits]

Used balancing beads in the swampers with second air yesterday, worked a treat even when aired down and rims half full of mud.
We put the wheels on the balancing machine to see what weights would be needed:

Lead weight needed : Weight in beads added
510gm : 644gm (23oz)
290gm : 364gm (13oz)

Don't know if you can add too much weight, but this setup worked unbelievably well.

[kbushnz]

Following Warren's lead, I have pulled the tubes from my rims and emptied the beads out...
Reassembled and now off to get them spun up to see how much weight I really need to add.
The beads came out easy enough, but I have the large tractor tube valves.
Also they are made from ceramic.....as I crushed one in the vice to see

[kbushnz]

Alright.... Finally gave the bead balanced Simex's a run...
And wow what a real difference... Had the wheels spun up on a balancer to determine how out of balance they were. (Thanks Warren 4WDBits)
Had one which was over 500 g out...
So in went the beads plus 20%.
So went out to Woodhill for Patrol and normally the truck would shake like a bi@%h at 80 and be totally scary at 100
Now smooth as....No shakes.
Get a wee wobble but nothin like before....(could be tyre being slightly wavy as noticed on balancer)
And the truck is quiet now except for the Simex growl...
So I am convinced it ain't snake oil !
And the run home with mud all in the rims ... Still smooth..