Blue,
Can you explain to us who are ignorant on this subject how they work? If they are attached to the inside of the rim, how do they deal with imbalance on the outer side of the tire?
Thanks

 

Go to centramatic.com and they can explain it better than I can. They've even got a video demonstration.

 

The Ceramic beads are a cool product.. Never heard of it before, and for my travel trailer that seems ideal!!!

 

Besides their high cost the bad thing I've heard about Centramatics is they can interfere with air flow on your brakes causing them to overheat.

 

I was concerned a little about that to but I've got slotted rotors to help and I don't tow much and I dunno if you've ever been down here but the only hills I see are over passes so it shouldn't be to big of a deal.

 

Thanks TigerRag and Mike D for the good info. I just got off the phone with Carl, just like you said $45.00 plus shipping for both axles. They are $199.00 on the manufacturers web site.

 

Do you have any first hand knowledge of this? or just "what you've heard" kind of thing. I wouldn't pay the $200 for them but $45 that has been posted I would. I like them because they are reusable, you don't have to buy new beads everytime you get new tires.

I can kindof see how they would keep airflow from hitting the disks, but only if there is a significant about of airflow that comes through the outside of the wheel. How much airflow comes through the outside of the wheel?

 

Totallyrad, You're welcome... I love getting a good deal myself... I'm glad he's still offering them for the same price. Get them while they last guys!

 

I'm no engineer but just looking at the wheels/tires from straight on, I can't believe any air gets through, at least at at high speed... and not critical when slow!

RJ

 

Thinking about it, the stock steel wheels on these trucks are solid, so only if you get aftermarket or aloy rims do they have holes in them. So how are a set of these any different as far as air flow? I don't think they are, so unless there is proof that they cause warped rotors I don't buy it.

 

i ran some on 235/75/r16 in a work truck and they worked sooooo good. i haven't used them sence but they worked for me

 

Take a look at how close a Centramatic rides compared to a wheel. I've never personally experienced overheating from Centramatics just because I haven't wanted to find out the hard way like some have complained of.



As far as moving Centramatics around to other vehicles-- fine if you keep buying the same lug pattern each time. Beads are much more efficient since they ride on the outside of the tire rather than closer in to the center.

Whatever you want to choose is is up to you. I know what works for me on the 25 rigs I own or maintain. In my parts the price of beads is less than one spin balancing. I don't even want to think about what it would cost for Centramatics on 25 rigs.

 

That's an old school one I guess. Mine is a one type fits all. It's got several holes in it for different bolt patters and is much thinner than that one. I'll see if I can't snap a pic sometime.

 

what about regular BBs instead of over priced "beads"

 

If you want to go the cheap route just put a cup or so of antifreeze in your tires.
Never tried it myself but heard it works.