Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » A question for Ken H. (Using Airsoft pellets for balancing tires)
| A question for Ken H. [message #299690] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 18:53  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
I put this on the forum because I think others would be interested.
I recall you saying that you used 4oz of Airsoft pellets instead of Counteract or other balancing beads, to balance the tires on your GMC. How has that worked out? Do the tire installers look at you a little sideways when you ask them to place them in the tire? Any issues using the Airsoft pellets?
I'm considering using them and would like to hear some personal experience on their use.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299691 is a reply to message #299690] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 19:12  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Larry,
As you report, I've been using 4 oz of WalMart AirSoft beads in my
225-75/16 tires for several years now. I can tell no difference from when
I used Counteract for the previous 10+ years. Not one complaint from me.
I should tell everyone, however, that Stick Miller had them removed from
his tires, reporting that they didn't completely balance his tires. I
don't know what kind of tires he was running, the results of
weight-balancing, nor any other details.
I've had no complaint nor questions from my tire mounters. Hey just do
it. DON'T do as Counteract recommends though -- they claim their plastic
bag can just be thrown in the tire and will open in use, causing no
problem. I don't use bags that fragile and don't want them in my tires --
DUMP the beads in.
I carry a couple of bags in my "tire change kit (jack hook, 1-1/8 socket,
impact wrench, lug nut cover pliers, etc)" just in case I have to have a
tire R&R'd or replaced away from home.
It's a cheap enough alternative that it's probably worth trying:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-Airsoft-Camo-Ammo-10-000ct/15103401
Ken H.
On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 7:53 PM, Larry wrote:
> Ken,
> I put this on the forum because I think others would be interested.
>
> I recall you saying that you used 4oz of Airsoft pellets instead of
> Counteract or other balancing beads, to balance the tires on your GMC. How
> has
> that worked out? Do the tire installers look at you a little sideways
> when you ask them to place them in the tire? Any issues using the Airsoft
> pellets?
>
> I'm considering using them and would like to hear some personal experience
> on their use.
>
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299692 is a reply to message #299691] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 19:49 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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I only had the air-soft pellets removed from one tire that just would not balance with the beads. I had that tire weight balanced and it seemed fine. As it turned out, all of the Delta tires I purchased for my former Eleganza II were crap and were replaced within a year of purchase. I'm not suggesting that the air-soft pellets had anything to do with slipped belts on the tires, rather I'm suggesting that those poor grade tires might not have been "balanceable" with beads.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: A question for Ken H. [message #299694 is a reply to message #299690] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 20:27 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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In the 3500+ miles I rode/drove in Ken's coach last summer on our trip to Pueblo and Rapid City and home, I noticed no tire vibration issues at all.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: A question for Ken H. [message #299696 is a reply to message #299690] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 21:07 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
I have both. Counteract in back, airsoft up front.
Go with airsoft. Use 4oz in each tire. Even though i doubt my coach rides as nice as yours, i have no issues with balancing beads.
No one gave me funny looks about using the airsoft beads, but that is because I mounted them at a friends place.
I plan on using airsoft beads on my VW thing as well here in the next month.
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2014/08/16-steel-rims-for-rear-of-coach.html?m=1
Front:
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2014/11/dodge-rims-in-front.html?m=1
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Tue, 26 April 2016 21:13] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: A question for Ken H. [message #299699 is a reply to message #299695] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 22:12 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I have some tires with equal and some with airsoft. I have a trailer that has house trailer wheels on it. There is no way to spin balance them. The guy that mounted my replacement tires on those wheels at Walmart looked at me and said "Where are the airsoft beads?" They are so use to me bringing in the beads that he asked me for them. I found out that I'm not the only one at this particular Walmart that uses airsoft.
To give him credit, I got the idea of using them from John Shotwell. I initially used Equal because a friend who was a mechanic for the local gas and electric utility suggested and supplied them to me. Equal is all they use is all types of vehicles from small cars to heavy trucks. I switched to airsoft because of John.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299701 is a reply to message #299691] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 23:02 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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G'day,
There is an advantage to using Counteract or Equal; the weight can be concentrated in a smaller area as both of them are smaller
than the AirSoft beads.
IIRC both Counteract and Equal say to use 5 ounces in 225/75-16 tires. I'll have to do some research to find where I read that.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 7:13 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H.
Larry,
As you report, I've been using 4 oz of WalMart AirSoft beads in my
225-75/16 tires for several years now. I can tell no difference from when
I used Counteract for the previous 10+ years. Not one complaint from me.
I should tell everyone, however, that Stick Miller had them removed from
his tires, reporting that they didn't completely balance his tires. I
don't know what kind of tires he was running, the results of
weight-balancing, nor any other details.
I've had no complaint nor questions from my tire mounters. Hey just do
it. DON'T do as Counteract recommends though -- they claim their plastic
bag can just be thrown in the tire and will open in use, causing no
problem. I don't use bags that fragile and don't want them in my tires --
DUMP the beads in.
I carry a couple of bags in my "tire change kit (jack hook, 1-1/8 socket,
impact wrench, lug nut cover pliers, etc)" just in case I have to have a
tire R&R'd or replaced away from home.
It's a cheap enough alternative that it's probably worth trying:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-Airsoft-Camo-Ammo-10-000ct/15103401
Ken H.
On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 7:53 PM, Larry wrote:
> Ken,
> I put this on the forum because I think others would be interested.
>
> I recall you saying that you used 4oz of Airsoft pellets instead of
> Counteract or other balancing beads, to balance the tires on your GMC. How
> has
> that worked out? Do the tire installers look at you a little sideways
> when you ask them to place them in the tire? Any issues using the Airsoft
> pellets?
>
> I'm considering using them and would like to hear some personal experience
> on their use.
>
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299702 is a reply to message #299701] |
Tue, 26 April 2016 23:16 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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USAussie wrote on Tue, 26 April 2016 23:02G'day,
There is an advantage to using Counteract or Equal; the weight can be concentrated in a smaller area as both of them are smaller
than the AirSoft beads.
IIRC both Counteract and Equal say to use 5 ounces in 225/75-16 tires. I'll have to do some research to find where I read that.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
I do not know if that is an issue or not. The beads come in at least two different weights even though they are the same diameter. I could not decide which weight was a better choice. I finally got the heavier ones.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299707 is a reply to message #299702] |
Wed, 27 April 2016 06:59 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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There is also the advantage of airsoft beads not needing special valve cores.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299710 is a reply to message #299708] |
Wed, 27 April 2016 07:18 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I can't imagine the pellet size being critical -- they should cluster near,
not necessarily right at, the light spot(s). I'm using the lighter weight
ones but would probably have used the heavier ones if they'd been in stock
when I bought them.
A significant advantage to the larger pellets is that they, unlike Equal
and Counteract, cannot get under the seat of a Schrader valve, causing
leakage. Those smaller products specify either using valves with filters
and/or never checking tire pressure unless the valve is at a high spot. I
did sometimes have trouble with that when using Counteract -- without
filtered valves.
Ken H.
On Wed, Apr 27, 2016 at 8:06 AM, Rob Mueller
wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I don't know if it is an issue or not either I was just an off hand
> comment.
>
> It would have been an interesting experiment to try Counteract or Equal in
> the tire that Stick could not get balanced.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken
> Burton
> Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 11:17 PM
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H.
>
> I do not know if that is an issue or not. The beads come in at least two
> different weights even though they are the same diameter.
> I could not decide which weight was a better choice. I finally got the
> heavier ones.
> --
> Ken Burton
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299721 is a reply to message #299710] |
Wed, 27 April 2016 09:42 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
The heavier pellets would be better in theory as they could get more weight in a smaller area.
I agree that you have to use filtered Schrader valves when using Equal or Counteract.
There are two series of Haltec valve stems available for Alcoa / Eagle wheels:
TV-543 - use an O-ring to seal to the wheel
TV-553 - use a silicone "top hat" to seal to the wheel
The TV-553 must be used when installing filtered valve stems as the filtered Schrader valves will not fit in the TV-543.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/haltec-tire-valve-stems/p54198-haltec-tire-valve-stems.html
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 7:19 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H.
I can't imagine the pellet size being critical -- they should cluster near,
not necessarily right at, the light spot(s). I'm using the lighter weight
ones but would probably have used the heavier ones if they'd been in stock
when I bought them.
A significant advantage to the larger pellets is that they, unlike Equal
and Counteract, cannot get under the seat of a Schrader valve, causing
leakage. Those smaller products specify either using valves with filters
and/or never checking tire pressure unless the valve is at a high spot. I
did sometimes have trouble with that when using Counteract -- without
filtered valves.
Ken H.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] A question for Ken H. [message #299736 is a reply to message #299707] |
Wed, 27 April 2016 13:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I also had a valve stick a couple of times using Equal and I have filtered valves. I learned to check the air first thing in the morning after the tire had all night for the Equal to settle down. I also leaned to follow up air pressure checks by briefly adding a squirt of air to clear the valve.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: A question for Ken H. [message #299804 is a reply to message #299690] |
Thu, 28 April 2016 11:12 |
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John Sharpe
Messages: 71
Registered: February 2006
Location: Porter, TX
Karma: 0
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Rob, previously the charts for Counteract and Equal said to add one oz. Of beads if the tire was E rated. I notice on the new Counteract chart that it notes 1oz. per 13# of tire.
John Sharpe
Porter, TX
78 Eleganza II, TBI
40 Ford Panel, TPI
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