GOLF BALLS?

Aug 27, 2011 at 11:58 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. i heard on XM today bout someone using 2 golf balls for wheel balancing?!?! Anyone ever heard of it or currently using it? need feed back before i try it. and wondering bout the adding 2cycle oil to fuel for better lubricity and mileage? thx

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 09:48 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I've heard of the golf ball trick. Some say it works, others say it tends to wear the inside of the tire. As for the oil, we did that years ago but I wouldn't do it in a new engine. There's way to many sensors and things to foul up. Mine has the DPF so I really watch what I dump in my tanks.

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. i have a late 2004 14L detroit will the 2cycle affect it or?

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 02:27 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I've seen tires that had golf balls in them. The balls where severely damaged from high speed impacts with the wheels, as was the inside of the tire from impact with the balls. Most tire retailers I've spoken with agree that golf balls are a very bad idea and can actuallly shorten tire life by damaging the inside lining thus causing premature tire failure in the form of blow outs. We used centramtic wheel balancers for a while, but the are expensive and add weight to the truck. Now we run all new tires one thousand miles, then we have the tires trued (or cut) and then balanced with wheel rim weights like the ones used on passenger vehicle tires. From what I have found, cutting the tires does lose some tread depth, however, doing so allows for a very even tire wear, allowing longer tire life.

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 02:27 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I've seen tires that had golf balls in them. The balls where severely damaged from high speed impacts with the wheels, as was the inside of the tire from impact with the balls. Most tire retailers I've spoken with agree that golf balls are a very bad idea and can actuallly shorten tire life by damaging the inside lining thus causing premature tire failure in the form of blow outs. We used centramtic wheel balancers for a while, but the are expensive and add weight to the truck. Now we run all new tires one thousand miles, then we have the tires trued (or cut) and then balanced with wheel rim weights like the ones used on passenger vehicle tires. From what I have found, cutting the tires does lose some tread depth, however, doing so allows for a very even tire wear, allowing longer tire life.

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 02:46 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Equal works good...One main thing to watch is if the tire man uses enough tire lube...but not to much..to keep the tire bead from being dry as it will not set the tire properly just water will not let it seat right...you need soap or lube to set right.....Thus putting the tire out of balance...On most tires there is a thin rubber line by the bead where you can follow it around and see if it is equal all the way around on the rim...If you go off road..watch for dust build up or mud on the inside..by the drum..it can and will build up throwing your tires off..most time a good water hose will help get rid of that...Also alignment...of bothe the trailer and truck..and the cheapest...grease on the 5th wheel..if it to dry the trailer will not track right as it gets caught on the dry 5th wheel..That will also screw up the trucks tracking as it will pull to the side...and burn more fuel...

Replied on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 02:46 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Equal works good...One main thing to watch is if the tire man uses enough tire lube...but not to much..to keep the tire bead from being dry as it will not set the tire properly just water will not let it seat right...you need soap or lube to set right.....Thus putting the tire out of balance...On most tires there is a thin rubber line by the bead where you can follow it around and see if it is equal all the way around on the rim...If you go off road..watch for dust build up or mud on the inside..by the drum..it can and will build up throwing your tires off..most time a good water hose will help get rid of that...Also alignment...of bothe the trailer and truck..and the cheapest...grease on the 5th wheel..if it to dry the trailer will not track right as it gets caught on the dry 5th wheel..That will also screw up the trucks tracking as it will pull to the side...and burn more fuel...

Replied on Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 01:22 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. The 2 cycle oil thing is really big with the guys on the Dodge Cummin's Forum. I have tried some in my pickup with no real results good or bad. Golf balls I have also heard are hard on casings.

Replied on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 09:31 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I've seen tires that had golf balls in them. The balls where severely damaged from high speed impacts with the wheels, as was the inside of the tire from impact with the balls. Most tire retailers I've spoken with agree that golf balls are a very bad idea and can actuallly shorten tire life by damaging the inside lining thus causing premature tire failure in the form of blow outs. We used centramtic wheel balancers for a while, but the are expensive and add weight to the truck. Now we run all new tires one thousand miles, then we have the tires trued (or cut) and then balanced with wheel rim weights like the ones used on passenger vehicle tires. From what I have found, cutting the tires does lose some tread depth, however, doing so allows for a very even tire wear, allowing longer tire life. " I've run golf balls in my steer tires since 99, haven't had any problem with the inside of the tires, and the golf balls last for a couple hundred thousand.

Replied on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 09:31 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I've seen tires that had golf balls in them. The balls where severely damaged from high speed impacts with the wheels, as was the inside of the tire from impact with the balls. Most tire retailers I've spoken with agree that golf balls are a very bad idea and can actuallly shorten tire life by damaging the inside lining thus causing premature tire failure in the form of blow outs. We used centramtic wheel balancers for a while, but the are expensive and add weight to the truck. Now we run all new tires one thousand miles, then we have the tires trued (or cut) and then balanced with wheel rim weights like the ones used on passenger vehicle tires. From what I have found, cutting the tires does lose some tread depth, however, doing so allows for a very even tire wear, allowing longer tire life. "

I've run golf balls in my steer tires since 99, haven't had any problem with the inside of the tires, and the golf balls last for a couple hundred thousand.

Replied on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 10:01 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Equil or centramatics. gulf balls will shred the inside of the tire. anyone getting 100k out of them.... i dunno. with tires being a cheep 450 bucks a skin why would you NOT spend some money on a balance every 30k or centramatics? 200 bucks i think for a set of centras. we do local to reginal and we get 100-130k with steer w/centramatics.

Replied on Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 01:39 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Tire Lyna is used as a wheel end balancer, bead/rim leak sealer and puncture sealant up to 1/2" in diameter in all 3/4 ton and higher commercial tire applications?. www.tirelyna.com

Replied on Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 01:39 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Tire Lyna is used as a wheel end balancer, bead/rim leak sealer and puncture sealant up to 1/2" in diameter in all 3/4 ton and higher commercial tire applications?. www.tirelyna.com

Replied on Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 08:43 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Can u use centramatics on stud piloted wheels?

Replied on Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 09:48 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. John Todd is right, in my opinion. Have tried most of the things listed here, pulse some others. Putting things in your tire to balance may be better than nothing, in some cases. But doing as John described is by far the best.But places that true tires are hard to find and the operator needs to know how to run machine. Just my opinion. Hate to disagree with Jeff As he does post some good trucking knowledge on here.

Replied on Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 09:48 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

John Todd is right, in my opinion.

Have tried most of the things listed here, pulse some others.

Putting things in your tire to balance may be better than nothing, in some cases. But doing as John described is by far the best.But places that true tires are hard to find and the operator needs to know how to run machine.

Just my opinion.

Hate to disagree with Jeff
As he does post some good trucking knowledge on here.

Replied on Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 11:33 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I've seen golf balls, antifreeze used in them...I use equil and run nitrogen in our tires

Replied on Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 01:35 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I am presently running golf balls in my steers to balance them. The tire have over 100,000 miles on them are the best looking tires, I have seen in a long time with that many miles. I don't worry about casing values. Never get much for them anyway. I want the tire go the miles. At time I did this I could not find centric matics for disk brakes. The main thing is I am gamabling my money. I am winning this time. Good luck.

Replied on Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 01:35 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I am presently running golf balls in my steers to balance them. The tire have over 100,000 miles on them are the best looking tires, I have seen in a long time with that many miles. I don't worry about casing values. Never get much for them anyway. I want the tire go the miles. At time I did this I could not find centric matics for disk brakes. The main thing is I am gamabling my money. I am winning this time. Good luck.

Replied on Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 07:40 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I think I've tried it all. Golf Balls too destructive. Centramatics are great, but keep in mind they are for fine balance problems. They will only solve 4 oz of an out of balance condition. Really the old stlye wheel weights I think are best but they can fall off and hard to find people to do them and it is time consuming. Equal, good until it clumps due to moisture or to much mounting lube. I run Centramatics on steer after a wheel weight balance. Drives I try centrmatics and if they won't solve the problem I run Counterbalance. Counterbalance is a newer version of equal. Easier to reuse and will not clump from moisture, still have to be careful with mounting lube. Casings, Mostly I regroove my tires. I get another 4-5 32nds out of a casing. We get so many flats and other problems that make a casing unsaleable. Besides I get more value per 32 with regrooving on most tires. If I have a premium casing then maybe I resell it. My new tire guy gets me first time casings with caps for $210 a tire out the door when I want a cap. Not having any more failure with new caps than a first time casing. My biggest complaint on caps is balance. The wear rate on my caps seem to be better than my BFG drives. I have never had a tire failure that could be attributed to grooving. I can groove a tier in less than 20 minutes with my $45 iron, faster and easier with a high dollar Iron. Don't be cheap with the blades, if they seem dull change them. I hand sipe trailer tires in the winter to add some grip in bad weather. Whether you are racing or running trucks there is a ton to learn to get performance and value, but for me it is a On the Job learning thing. Art Pfluger

Replied on Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 07:40 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I think I've tried it all. Golf Balls too destructive. Centramatics are great, but keep in mind they are for fine balance problems. They will only solve 4 oz of an out of balance condition. Really the old stlye wheel weights I think are best but they can fall off and hard to find people to do them and it is time consuming. Equal, good until it clumps due to moisture or to much mounting lube. I run Centramatics on steer after a wheel weight balance. Drives I try centrmatics and if they won't solve the problem I run Counterbalance. Counterbalance is a newer version of equal. Easier to reuse and will not clump from moisture, still have to be careful with mounting lube. Casings, Mostly I regroove my tires. I get another 4-5 32nds out of a casing. We get so many flats and other problems that make a casing unsaleable. Besides I get more value per 32 with regrooving on most tires. If I have a premium casing then maybe I resell it. My new tire guy gets me first time casings with caps for $210 a tire out the door when I want a cap. Not having any more failure with new caps than a first time casing. My biggest complaint on caps is balance. The wear rate on my caps seem to be better than my BFG drives. I have never had a tire failure that could be attributed to grooving. I can groove a tier in less than 20 minutes with my $45 iron, faster and easier with a high dollar Iron. Don't be cheap with the blades, if they seem dull change them. I hand sipe trailer tires in the winter to add some grip in bad weather. Whether you are racing or running trucks there is a ton to learn to get performance and value, but for me it is a On the Job learning thing.

Art Pfluger

Replied on Sun, Jan 04, 2015 at 09:50 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I was told by a kenworth dealer to put ATF in the fuel to help.

Replied on Sun, Jan 04, 2015 at 02:07 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We used to do that to clean the fuel system but not the ford atf...but if you do that today..you will have red dyed fuel.think about it..and does work great BUT do you want to get nailed for untaxed fuel..even if you paid the tax..

Replied on Wed, Jan 07, 2015 at 11:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Need to be careful adding oil and dyed stuff to electronically controlled injection systems. The old mechanical systems would tolerate just about any oil to the point where you could run waste engine/tranny oil. The new rotary pumps have very tight tolerances and any deflections due to viscosity differences can be devastating. Some of the older electronic systems have electronic optics that can get coated with the dye and develop issues. Lucas's is about all I add these days. Although I do run a 50/50 mix of diesel and engine oil in my old Massey Ferguson tractor. 25/75 to take care of gophers.

Replied on Wed, Jan 07, 2015 at 11:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Need to be careful adding oil and dyed stuff to electronically controlled injection systems. The old mechanical systems would tolerate just about any oil to the point where you could run waste engine/tranny oil. The new rotary pumps have very tight tolerances and any deflections due to viscosity differences can be devastating. Some of the older electronic systems have electronic optics that can get coated with the dye and develop issues. Lucas's is about all I add these days. Although I do run a 50/50 mix of diesel and engine oil in my old Massey Ferguson tractor. 25/75 to take care of gophers.

Replied on Thu, Jan 08, 2015 at 06:28 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Nice summary Art. I've used Centimatics and also tried 16 oz of RV antifreeze. Neither was satisfactory for me. Now I run supper single recaps and have every tire balance, even the trailer tires. Allied Oil and Tire can check them for true at the same time as balancing and if they are not almost perfect I have them get a different cap. I also think the centering bushings on the studs help. I'm finally getting the ride I want.

Replied on Thu, Jan 08, 2015 at 06:28 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Nice summary Art. I've used Centimatics and also tried 16 oz of RV antifreeze. Neither was satisfactory for me. Now I run supper single recaps and have every tire balance, even the trailer tires. Allied Oil and Tire can check them for true at the same time as balancing and if they are not almost perfect I have them get a different cap. I also think the centering bushings on the studs help. I'm finally getting the ride I want.