Tire Balancing with Equal

[David Schwertner]

After switching from Goodyear 16 inch tires to Goodyear 17.5 inch tires recently the Goodyear dealer installed a bag of EQUAL Tire Performance into the each tire before he mounted them on my rims. He claims this is the best way to balance these heavy duty tires and is the safest instead of lead wts. There is a web site that is full of information.

www.imiproducts.com

Anyone ever used this to balance your tires? Any thoughts??
It is used on 18 wheelers a lot of the time.

[jdwilson3]

Your dealer was correct. I used equal in my International MDT and it made all the difference in the world. There is two ways to install...when mounting and also can be added by a dealer through the valve stem.

[golf_bears]

If one has TPMS sensors attached to the valve stems can you still use the Encore system for balancing?

[David Schwertner]

Imiproducts company just emailed me back and said that EQUAL wouldn't have any effect on a monitor reading the pressure or temperature. They have done extensive studies on it and it reads the same psi with a hand held air gauge as the monitor was indicating. On extreme applications, you might have to buy one of their valve stem cores that have a filtering system inside the stem. An additional explanation about this filter is on their website as well as their research into the TPMS systems. Will be glad to forward their email to anyone who wants to read it, let me know.

I'm hoping it all works out for me when I buy a TPMS - will see what happens

David

[golf_bears]

Thanks Dave, just instructed the Ford dealer working on my truck to use Encore and the AirX filtered valve cores, to balance all the wheels on my F-450 dually.

[bucky49]

Equal works great but do not combine with crossfire tire pressure equalizer system for duals. they did this on our work trucks crossfires plugged up wouldn't take air.

[golf_bears]

Should have updated this thread a while back. After a bunch of research and forum discussions I changed my mind from Encore to the Dyna Beads (http://www.innovativebalancing.com/index.php) system. It is suppose to be a better solution to tire balancing for larger tires such as those on my F-450. One of my concerns with the Encore system was it caking up should moisture accumulate inside the tire. This could happen when filling my tires with my pancake compressor.

Now have about 1000 miles with that system so a little early to tell how good a solution it may be.

Once I’ve form a final opinion, I’ll be back to update everyone. Until then, travel safely.
[/url]

[anijet]

.............Now have about 1000 miles with that system so a little early to tell how good a solution it may be.

Once I’ve form a final opinion, I’ll be back to update everyone. Until then, travel safely.
[/url]

Can you comment on the quality of balance compared to traditional balance methods?

[golf_bears]

Not sure I can give you a solid analysis at this time, not enough miles yet. I will say though that the front wheel handling and bounce has improved, smoother steering.

The F-450 is notorius for strange front tire wear and I'm hoping the beads will help.

I'll try and keep folks posted as I accumulate more miles.

[Motorcycle Jack]

I have Equal in the 17.5" tires on the MS and in the 19.5 on my F-450. I also have the TST TPMS on the tires. In a year I've had zero problems with the balance King Ranch Truck rides really nice) and there's been no issues with the TPMS. I don't know how you would put lead weights on the aluminum wheels, what ever you did probably wouldn't hold long. This way you don't mess up the wheels and you get perfect balance!

[golf_bears]

Motorcycle Jack,

I agree with you 100%. All is well so far and will post additional info when I feel comfortable with my analysis.

Take care and hope we meet up some day to compare notes.

[wingnut60]

golf_bears,

"The F-450 is notorius for strange front tire wear and I'm hoping the beads will help."

I have not found this to be true on my '09. Got 78000 out of first set of tires, and could have gone maybe another 15 if I wasn't headed out on a long trip. Now have 30k more on the new set, and they will go at least as far as the first set. I keep all the tires at 100psi whether towing or not--maybe a little harder ride when empty, but necessary for long tread wear.
Have had the front alignment checked twice since new, and no adjustments needed (4x4). Also still on original brakes at 110k miles.

Joe

[golf_bears]

wingnut60,

Appreciate you jumping in with your experiences. Encouraging to know that with the right settings tires will last.

We have the 2008 F-450 and had issues. I doubt there is much difference between the 2008 and the 2009.

I now have the air pressure higher on the truck and the RV so hope that will also help.

Now have about 54,000 on the OEM tires and it looks like I will get another year, about 15,000 miles, out of them. Also hoping the front end issues have been resolved.

Was going to put new tires on last month but decided to try other fixes suggested in various post to see if the problems are resolved. Would hate to wear out a new set of tires with the unsolved front end issues.

[wingnut60]

golf.
The front suspensions on the 450s are really made tough--but having 4x4 can also be tough on tires. My truck has served me well, and you are right, hardly any differences in 8s and 9s, especially if you got one from later in the model run.
Sounds like you are now getting about same wear on front tires as I am.
Joe