Information desired, newish product

[Paul T. Casey]

Well new to me anyway. One of my 4WD compadres was extolling the virtues of something called "Equal Dry Tire Balancing Formula." I was wondering if anyone here has used or heard of it. Supposedly this stuff, which you inject directly into your tires, will automatically and continually balance them. They also say that they can balance away "flat spot" woes, such as after a panic stop in which the tires lock up. Seems to be big on the 4x4 scene, will make up for the "unevenness" of the weight of mud, and the RV set. To me, if this stuff works, it's worth the price for just eliminating the unsightly wheel weights and that "gluey" residue when you change out the tires. Any users out there?

[SergntMac]

Ummm...Let's put Brutus on the case, see what he turns up? Like web site, professional opinions, etc, etc...

[Smokie]

http://www.tiresupplyguide.com/equal/equal.html Paul, I don't think this product is intended for cars, Javier.

[Paul T. Casey]

I went directly to www.equalauto.com. They have a section to ask questions, I did, and will report back. Their site seems to lean towards semi trucks and airplanes. We'll see what they say.

[jfclancy]

the concept does not seem logical to me, a "Dry" powder that balances your tires as your drive. Seems too good to be true.

Joe Clancy

[LCpl Retired]

I ran it for a couple years in my range rovers 34" mud terraines that would NOT balance otherwise. It seemed to do the trick ..it was certainly better...and you did not have to worry about ripping the weights off the rims offroad ...I have 32s on it now and was able to balance them with a specialized truck machine...it is better ...IMHO I do not think that the powder is a substitute for a good high speed balance on a performance car....It is fine for coarser applications with wider tolerances( lugs would get torn off those tires offroad and they would still go down the highway without shaking All of your fillings out.....)

If I remember right it was 10.00 a tire or something, just pop the bead and pour it in...

[Ross]

Since we're talking about tire "additives", has anyone ever used any of the additives like Slime which supposedly seal minor punctures from the inside? I've heard both good and bad about them, but have never used them.

[jfclancy]

Hey Ross
Used a simular product in my CJ5 jeep a LONG long time ago, the folks at the tire shop hated it, said some of them could explode or something. Seems they use a flammable substance inside tire. So ensure to read label and look for safety claims.

Joe Clancy

[TripleTransAm]

As far as removing the unsightly weights, I'd just have them balanced using stick on weights (which are not as visible, since they are glued on the flat portion of the rim, behind the spokes, depending on their location they MAY be visible from between the spokes, but they are very flat).

At the very minimum, you can always apply the clamp-on weights on the inside edge of the rims.

I'm not hot on the idea of putting stuff INSIDE the tires. You're adding unsprung weight, which is supposed to play havoc with handling and ride, as compared to sprung weight (ie. stuff supported by the springs).

[uwsacf]

Equal used to be sorta big in the Heavy truck biz - but caused a lot of problems...

Many switched to Centra-matic wheel balancers and most problems are solved...

There are a bunch of look a likes to the centra matic brand, but seem to fail..

Centra-matic provides this product to many Police depts around the country....

I have no experience with them on cars though - so do your research..

With our big brake calipers there may not be room either...

http://www.centramatic.com/New_Catalog/html/300series.html

[FordNut]

Since we're talking about tire "additives", has anyone ever used any of the additives like Slime which supposedly seal minor punctures from the inside? I've heard both good and bad about them, but have never used them.


Never put the "slime" in a tire that will be run at high speeds. It will vibrate like mad.

[RCSignals]

yes, i didn't think products like slime were for "on road" vehicles.
It works great in tractor tires, wheel barrow tires, etc.

[greyghost]

I don't know of any racers that use the stuff/slime/whatever on the road. Some of the off-road crowd swears by it but, it is really messy if you have to break down a rim. I wouldn't run unless I had exhausted every other balance technique and it was the only thing that works. IMHO