beads or spin them

juanbenae

juanbenae

New member
Just got a set of Vision bead locks and am in the process of mounting my used 35-12.5-17's Cooper STT Pros and am looking for some input. There is about 2/3 of the tread remaining and they are fairly chunked due to rock duty with little road use as it is not a daily driver. They were removed from a set of Method wheels that I had damaged a couple of the last couple years by cracking the bead portions off of. I have read here and elsewhere the difficulties some have had balancing them, which I did not when they were new but have concerns with their current shape. I have also read here specifically the distain for balancing beads but am looking for experiences/opinions in doing what I am attempting to do and my best approach. The tire shop I work with has said they will give balancing them a try but suggested it may not be a reasonable expectation to get them right with the tire condition.

Another challenge will be that living in the sierras in a snow region where it gets cold this time of year the stiffness of the tires in a cold, stiff state. I do have a woodstove in the garage and plan on firing it to heat the tires some before installing & torquing the rings. Thoughts on this? I will not be putting them closer than 5-6 feet from the stove and let them heat for a few hours, cause the sun ain't gunna do it currently..... What temp would you suggest the rubber should be to accomplish this?

I am in no hurry as my winter snow tires are currently on the rig until spring when the forestry dept. gates swing back open. This is good in that I have time, but bad in that they will be mounted and attempted to be balanced before I can road test all 4 of them. I am reluctant to use balancing beads from jump, but may have to if spinning them is a nonstarter.

Input on directions I should head?
 

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They will snow wheel just fine, I had no troubles in any type of snow or height of the snow. They are a soft compound, thus the chunking, you don’t need to baby them. Just air them down to 5ish PSI and go.

As for balancing, good luck. 😂 Since they’re 35s it may not be as bad as with the 37s. Have them do a dynamic balance… that’s important, if they don’t you’ll not be happy.
 
In order for balancing beads to work you’ll also need to burn some aroma therapy candles and smear on essential oils.
 
Thanks for the replies, Mike and Mr. Colon.

Did not question how they did in snow cause I've used them in it, they suck on the plowed, icy roads I encounter during the winter months. So, you run 37's Mike? That's dam cool! You are the man kinda cool.

Mr. Colon, have you actually used balancing beads, or are you just parroting what I already acknowledged I've read here on the site? I was specific in what I was doing, and your reply was cute, but not funny or useful.

Did the 1st wheel yesterday with the woodstove cooking for about 5 hours spinning it like I was cooking a rotisserie bird, and it went well. Had some sun today so wheel 2 was sat out in it and did collect some good heat for the ring torquing. I opted out of the essential oils, candles & balancing beads. Secured the ring with about 1/3 of the bolts, added air and set the bead on the back side to better even the tire on the wheel before proceeding. Used washers to shim the tire on the wheel before setting the ring using 8 or so spaced around the tire bead on the wheel and it was pretty effective. If washers were tougher to spin, I would move the tension off them to the side they were easier to roll. Removed the washers, set the ring and I was off and clicking with inch pounds on my torque wrench increasing lbs. per the install instructions.

I will be taking them to my tire shop in a couple days for balancing, without beads, or essential oils to see how they do. I will report back post balancing.
 

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Not trying to offend, just sharing my thoughts. The jeep I purchased had balancing beads in the spare, a new Cooper with zero miles, had them removed and the tire balanced with standard lead weights, so no I have not used them. I worked for Cooper Tire years ago so I have insight with the company, the manufacturing process, and the challenge to consistently produce a uniform tire.

Sounds like your efforts as described are sound and successful, hope they balance out for you.
 
Mike Pierson said:
Yeah, that’s kinda surprising. Good deal though! 👍
Click to expand...

Still not happy dancing just yet... Got number #3 done today, #4 will get done tomorrow and prolly balance Friday. Until they go back on in the spring and go 55 w/o a shimmy this is simply a good sign.

The shimming with the washers prior to ring placement and setting the bead on the back side were the secret sauce I reckon.
 
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