Finally Ended My Centramatic Saga

[Lin]

I wanted to pass this info on in case anyone is going to use Centramatic balancers.  At mentioned in earlier post, I had bought a set of model #600-630 for my steers.  It turned out though, that this bus (and I would guess at least other MCI's) had oversized brake drums.  I would not have suspected that we have bigger drums than semis, but I guess we do.  I therefore sold those balancers and bought a set of #900-910 that are specifically made for 16.5 inch drums.  However, there was another problem; the balancers did not seat properly inside the rim.  As it turns out, not all rims are the same.  I contemplated just returning the balancers but decided first to see if I could find used rims that would fit.  A local truck tire place was able to put a set together, so now the job is done.  Therefore, be aware that if you are going to do this, depending on what you have, it may require a bit more effort than just a simple install.

I drove a little and do not believe I noticed much improvement at 40mph but felt the 60 mph was definitely smoother.  I won't really be able to tell for sure until a longer trip, but it also seemed that the bus tracked better.

[JohnEd]

Good for you.

[pvcces]

Thanks for the info, Lin. It should make our problems a little simpler when we get around to installing our front Centramatics.

Tom Caffrey

[Ed Hackenbruch]

I think that i will stick with spin balancing and wheel weights.

[luvrbus]

How often do you replace the Centramtics I heard between  300,000 and 500,000 miles but I got that from a truck driver lol  I also heard drum heat affects those bad and they shake like crazy till they cool that came from a truck salesman at Peterbuilt.
I know their sales pitch is what are you going to do when they banned lead here but I never bought a set anyway

good luck

[Lin]

I have spoken to several truckers that think they are great.  Many have even used them on the trailer wheels and claim much better tire wear.  Some claim they are good for a million miles.  I'm sure that there is a range though.  In any case, considering the amount I drive, they should outlast me.  I have spoken at length to one of their technical guys and believe that he knows what he is talking about.  Of course, I could be wrong, but using these is not the most far out idea I have seen come across the board.

My Jeep tires get rebalanced every 5000 miles when I rotate the tires (part of the deal with the retailer).  They always need something, so it would seem that lead weight balancing is only good for a certain period of time anyway.  Smoother ride, less vibration through the entire coach, less tire wear, lower tire operating temperature, completely reusable-- if only some of the claims are valid, it would still be worth it in my opinion. 

[luvrbus]

My tires ran over 100,000 miles on my trucks never needed re-balancing I balanced the Toyo's on the Eagle once that was it I never heard of balancing a tire every 5000 must be a dealer thing.
Centramatic was from Texas they did call on me time to time but I never bought anything from them they sell other truck products also.
I am just like you only know what I heard never saw those on the major carriers trucks like Swift hope they work out good for you they just never impressed me and didn't care for the BS of the salesman you are the first I know of that have those on a bus are the balls inside still made of steel ?

good luck 

[Lin]

Clifford,

As I remember it, the balls are a lead alloy and suspended in a synthetic oil.  There are lots of crap shoots in the consumer world.  I remember when I first put Bilstien shocks on my first motorhome.  This was in the pre-internet days, so all research was done by phone.  The seller told me I would feel the difference "in the seat of my pants."  They were certainly expensive, but I decided to try them.  It did not take more than I drive around the block to see that he was right; the ride was noticeably better and the vehicle handled better too.  Sometimes claims are actually true.  We will see about this one, but as mentioned earlier, the ride was noticeably improved at 60 mph.  Of course, my wheels may have been miss-balance to begin with.

P.S.--I still like my two-stage Jakes.