Do Balance Beads Actually Work?

In this video, I find out if balance will actually work on my bias ply Maxxis Trepadors.

[@lanedexter6303]

So many people talk about whether bead balancing works, but very few talk about aspect ratio. Bead balancing, commercial or Airsoft beads, will work IF the tire is relatively tall and narrow. Beads work on my DL650 motorcycle, work great on the 255/85R16 tires on my F250, but they are marginally effective on the 195/65R15 winter tires on two of our Corollas. 65 is the cutoff. Do not try bead balancing 60, 55 or 50 aspect ratio tires; they need two plane dynamic balancing.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Where did you find this info? I've been searching for this.

[@lanedexter6303]

@@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259 this is based only on my experience and observation. I’ve had someone in the balance bead business tell me I am wrong. I’m experimenting now, gradually increasing the amount of Airsoft beads in my winter tires. It seems to help. I’m in the process of sending my steel rims for powder coating them remounting, so my 195/65R15 winter tires are bumping up to 7.5 oz. now.

[@2Truth4Liberty]

The farther away from the center (axle center), the centrifugal force increases so less weight (fewer balance beads) would be needed to achieve the result for higher aspect tires than with low aspect tires which would simply need MORE to achieve the same effect. The 1oz/13lb is a groundwork guesstimate - it will vary based on several factors, aspect ratio being one.

[@jamestaylor6072]

I have used these for many years on my motor bikes, they work great.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I used a compressor filter/seperator bowl to install my beads through standard valve stems. I removed the filter element from the bore and placed the beads in the bowl then blew them in with compressed air. You have to remove the valve cores from the stem, of course.

[@imaga75]

I have 2 big rig freightliners and the beads do work on the steers. it's a smooth ride and and the steers are wearing even after two years. The other rig I cut the steers to true balance and alignment. The truck started out with a smooth ride but within 6 months its not running smooth anymore and the tires are wearing uneven. The kingpins are good on both trucks.

[@akquicksilver]

I've used Dyna Beads in FJR1300 Yamaha for 15 years with no problem what soever. I've had the bike up to 135 MPH and the ride was smooth as silk. I have also used them in my FZ09 and been over a 100 MPH on it with absolute vibration free smooth ride. I love them. You don't need any special valve cores. The beads stay on the tire inner circumference due to gyroscopic force which is also why the work.

[@RSole9999]

Uh, I think you mean OUTER circumference, and also there's a Y missing from the second-to-last word.

[@akquicksilver]

@@RSole9999 No, I meant inner circumference, the outer circumference would indicate the tread of the tire. Obviously the tire has no surface where the bead contacts the rim. And thanks for the spell checking. I had no idea they was actually spelled with a "y". For what it is worth. I just changed the tires on my FZ09 after almost 8K miles and there was no apparent wear on the inside of the tire. There was a bit of fine grey dust which is probably a mixture of ceramic and rubber. As far as folks worrying about the valve stem, I've never had any beads in the stem or blow out when removing the valve core. The fastest way to put the beads in is just using a small funnel. Once the tire is mounted on the rim (before setting the beads) just lay the tire/rim on the floor and stick the funnel in at the side wall, then dump in the beads. Never lost any beads using this method and it takes about 30 seconds compared to 45 minutes per tire using the 1/4" tube through the valve stem. Keep up the good work!

[@jenniegibbs2843]

Lots and Lots and Lots of videos showing people using them but I can't find one that accurately describes how the beads find themselves in the lightest area to balance the tire.

[@lanedexter6303]

There is a KZbin video where a guy put a GoPro camera inside a bead balanced tire then drove on it. Interesting!

[@2Truth4Liberty]

Smart beads! LOL Mathematics computing centrifugal force. Good explanation of the priciple in this video . . . watch?v=DKdSys-TtwA (you can skip 5 1/2 minutes at the start)

[@Quijibo13]

If you hold an electric shaver (or anything else that vibrates) on the hose, the beads flow much faster.

[@timgannon2993]

Video runs for 13 minutes when only needed 2 minutes which means 11 minutes of dribble

[@timothywilson6754]

Counteract is the brand that we install at the TA for semi trucks.

[@ericowens235]

13 minute video for 30 minutes worth of info and yet still............. Do balance beads actually work?

[@jacobreed1087]

I’ve got these exact tires on my XJ. They still run 70 down the interstate no problem

[@HeBeGB501]

@@jacobreed1087 Thats awesome, I heard you may have ended up with them after I sold them.

[@gragra556]

I think that air pressure will push out on the filtered valve cores.

[@Hman9876]

Thank you for the detail!

[@davidcarey8913]

I've been using these beads in motorcycle and scooter tires for years and they really work well. Another advantage is that as the tire wears the beads automatically adjust for it and there is no need for a rebalance that you would need if using legacy weights. I've seen KZbinrs that claim they wear the inside of the tire but that is not true. These claims were made by inexperienced technicians that didn't know what the tire looked like on the inside when the beads were installed. My only suggestion is to buy much more than ten ounces because you will use them. I do my own tires for my bikes and it's so much easier to put the 1 or 2 ounces in the motorcycle tire instead of the time-consuming spinning to find the heavy spot. I bought a 40 oz kit from amazon and have used most of it.

[@LTUSATV]

Great Tutorial.

[@evanmiller1642]

Badass XJ. I have 10oz in 35" maxxis razr 35x12.5x15 works damn well. Also mine has alittle more xj left than yours

[@dodgeramsport01]

Filter value cores? Well we wouldn't want the air to go bad in the tire!

[@jamesduffey4442]

My stems are spring less also. The air pressure keeps them closed

[@johnloar6008]

the ones without externally visible springs have an internal spring

[@RandomPerson-sb5mw]

I would balance it with washers on the bead lock bolts

[@jameswaters313]

I’m pretty sure this does work if you have pressure sensors.

[@robormiston2841]

They work

[@shyto8302]

So when you says weight of tire are you saying rim with tire weight?

[@HeBeGB501]

I only used the tire weight itself, no rim.

[@clayton203]

In my experience more is better What the company recommended on my mud tire was not enough Started at 10oz Ended up with 14oz

[@scottgarmon4865]

won’t the air pressure from inside the tire keep the valve stem closed ? Maybe that’s why there is no spring, because the air pressure keeps it closed?

[@HeBeGB501]

From looking at a standard valve stem, there is a lip that the bottom that the E-Z Tire Beads valve core is long enough to press against to allow the spring to work.

[@scottgarmon4865]

I’m having balancing issues with my heavy 37” goodyear M/T starts shaking right at 60 mph, how did the balancing beads work out for you? I tried 14 ounces of BBs but it didn’t work at all,But I think the BBs were too small and they were clumping together

[@HeBeGB501]

@@scottgarmon4865 The balance beads worked pretty good for me. I will definitely use them again in my next set of tires.

[@chevyxrz]

@@scottgarmon4865 did you ever get the vibration fixed? I'm in the same page as you I have 37's too and starts to shake at 60mph

[@scottgarmon4865]

its not perfect but its better than nothing, I took out the beads and put in two golf balls, for some reason the balls balance better than the beads.

[@johnmadsen37]

I tired filling the tires completely with water but that made it worse. What about a fine sand?

[@johnloar6008]

old timers used a little antifreeze and it served the same function.

[@jamestaylor6072]

Stop being a tightarse and bye the beads.@@johnloar6008

[@Latebird27]

An Off Road Vehicle doesn't Perform well going high speed on Pavement? Damnnnn crazzzy

[@Jeeps1]

so how did they do?

[@dekonfrost7]

I think i speak for everyone when i say get to the point.

[@markmanning6773]

No luck with them here

[@gerrymatheson4020]

Go heavy... don't go light... round up... shoulda gone with 10...

[@johnloar6008]

You never answered the question.

[@HeBeGB501]

Are you sure about that?

[@nickolashaustein]

Get to the point dude! I don’t want to listen to all that other stuff, I just wanted to know if the beads work. Maybe change your title?

[@robophobic3716]

Finally someone says it. My god I was board even fast forwarding

[@johncole8792]

Didn’t answer the question in your title. Jeesh.

[@Dezzz58]

11:25

[@MrMd5555]

Learn how to mix and balance audio and maybe I'll consider watching your video on balancing tires... pretty sure I just blew my right front speaker because of this incompetence , then i find i can't even hear your speech

[@Hman9876]

Hey everyone I found the guy who leaves his audio at 100%

[@nxslt11]

I'd say your audio system is a big ol pile of shit because everything sounded fine.

[@da324]

@@nxslt11 You got it!