OTR tire / wheel newbee questions

[Darkspeed]

Need some tire / mounting / balancing advice...

I have...

Four new aluminum budd outers 24.5 x 8.25
Two new steel budd inners 24.5 x 8.25
Rears : 11R24.5 Samson GL266D 32/32 Rear Deep Drive Truck Tire
Fronts :11R24.5 Samson GL116S 16 PR Front Steer truck tire
Samson is the Chinese brand owned by Michelin. I have a friend who has a number of trucks and buses that run the Samson tire with good results.

I am planning to use Centramatics.

Should these be spin balanced when mounted?
Should I tell them no beads / powder? or are products like Dyna Beads the way to go?
What is a fair price for mounting / balancing?
I am in Zephyrhills FL, any advice on where to get this done?
Are weights on aluminum wheels adhesive? Crimp?
Can the weights be installed on the back of the wheel where they are not visible on an aluminum wheel?

I did just replace all of the wheel studs on the bus, including using longer studs on the front for the aluminum wheels.

Thank you!!

[lostagain]

If it was me, I would mount them, not balance them, and drive. More than likely, it will be smooth enough. If not, it will be a tire that is out of round: have it replaced with a good tire.

I have driven lots of different buses and the ones with the wheels balanced aren't any smoother than  the ones without.

I now drive tractor/trailer for Swift Transportation, and none of their 17000 trucks are balanced. Mine drives nice and smooth. I am sure if there was an advantage, financial or otherwise, they would balance them.

JC

[TomC]

Balance the tires/wheels first. Use stick-on weights on the aluminum, crimp can be used on steel, but I'd just use stick-on on both. On the front wheels, the weights will be on the inside. On the rear you will be able to see the weights since they put the weights on the dish of the wheel. I'd rather see the weights, then have an out of balance wheel. Many will say that the rears are not needed to balance, but with my 1.3 million miles of cross country driving truck, I can tell you it makes a difference. Then use the Centramatics. Do NOT use anything else with Centramatics-like Equal-they will work against each other.
Unless you are going off road, I'd suggest using the same tires in back as in front. Heavy lug drive tires will only make a lot of noise at freeway speed. I run Michelin XZE's all the way around. I just don't drive into any situation that needs extra traction. Most buses don't have enough power to take advantage of the lugs anyway.
As to running steel wheels on the inside, the weight difference will make a bit of a difference in ride quality-less unsprung weight with all aluminum wheels.
Balancing and mounting should be around $30 each tire. Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

Big truck fleets do not balance their tires since they only run the tires down maybe 50% then get new. We don't have that luxury. Believe me when I tell you from an owner/operator stand point (meaning I paid for my tires), balancing first then running Centramatics works best. Good Luck, TomC

[Darkspeed]

Tom, great answer! So I need to find a shop that can spin balance a 24.5 tire.

I cant find anyone local that does that, where do people usually go?

[TomC]

The tire/wheel is spun balanced off the bus first on a special spin balancing machine made just for truck tires. My tire guy has one. It's amazing how slow the tire spins (maybe 30mph) and it tells you where and how much weight to put on. Just call around to commercial tire places-you'll find one. Good Luck, TomC

[Darkspeed]

Thank you Tom!

Im going to give these guys a try on monday > http://mcgeetire.com/5353-tires-auto-repair-service-tampa-fl

[TomC]

Looks good. Just don't let them talk you into Equal-doesn't work and can create problems if any get into the tire stem. After spin balancing, use only Centramatics-all others don't work. Good Luck, TomC

[LuckyChow]

I balanced all mine before going on too.  Didn't have to do anything else.  I didn't try them first to see if any were out of balance or not.  I have very smooth ride with no bouncing anywhere. 

Thanks for the info on the Samsons.  Good to know.

[Darkspeed]

I balanced all mine before going on too.  Didn't have to do anything else.  I didn't try them first to see if any were out of balance or not.  I have very smooth ride with no bouncing anywhere.  

Thanks for the info on the Samsons.  Good to know.

I have noticed that every school bus I have seen in my area lately had Samson tires. I have never used them before but they look like a Michelin on the outside, only time will tell..

I also heard the Camping World now carries them, that could be good or bad..

[HB of CJ]

Extreme procedure?  Have the wheels alone spun and checked for straightness and balance.  Then mount.  Then spin the mounted wheels and tires for trueness and roundness.  If shaving is necessary, then a deal breaker.  If the mounted tires are true, then spin balance.  We will assume the drums are true.  This sounds like overkill and perhaps it is.  You do want to buy good wheels and tires and you should expect to have a perfect ride.  Just me.  HB

[Darkspeed]

Extreme procedure?  Have the wheels alone spun and checked for straightness and balance.  Then mount.  Then spin the mounted wheels and tires for trueness and roundness.  If shaving is necessary, then a deal breaker.  If the mounted tires are true, then spin balance.  We will assume the drums are true.  This sounds like overkill and perhaps it is.  You do want to buy good wheels and tires and you should expect to have a perfect ride.  Just me.  HB

I would not think new Accuride wheels would need solo balancing? Do most shops check trueness? Is this a common problem with correctly mounted tires?

[HB of CJ]

Be amazed what gets out the factory front door.  And rear.  I for one would never assume, but that is just me.  It is a Bus Conversion passenger RV.  Respectfully.  HB

[Jim Eh.]

As per Hunter Engineering Company: 1 oz = 6lbs of force hitting the pavement every revolution (truck tires).   I'd balance.

The Alcoa wheels being machined are pretty true but I would not say that of any steel rim as they are pressed/welded.

Runout should always be checked! Make sure the tire installer uses lots of lube mounting them.

[flynbanjo]

For what it is worth, I had McGee tire mount and balance my steering tires.  They did a great job and they were good with my aluminum wheels.