Tyre Balance Beads???

[Duk]

Has anyone used these tyre balance beads you can get, instead of a conventional wheel balance?
I've seen them advertised on ebay and such, but just about every ad I see mention 4WDs, trucks and motorbike, but no mention of cars.

[Darryl]

You got me intrigued...

This guy's post seems spot on for how it could/should theoretically work.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/cannot-find-any-scientific-validation-of-product-dyna-beads-for-tire-balancing.637080/#post-5000353

Note important detail is the dependency on natural frequency and hence required minimum speed for the beads to help (rather than making it worse!). Also not that any other forces due to overall vehicle dynamics are not taken into consideration. I'm guessing it works well for heavy truck wheels on long drives at constant speed. Not sure I'd want it in a car (or a bike) used in "anger".

I don't actually need this but it is interesting - if you try it let us know how it goes!

[colcol]

I am interested as well, i balance wheels sometimes at work, and the slightest error, causes the wheel to vibrate at low or high speed, i just cannot see how loose balance beads flopping around in a rim can balance a wheel.
If it works i will have some nitrogen to pump up my tyres as well, Colin.

[carlo rossi]

they probably works as well as any other bead be it love ,worry or sweat
cant see how it works other than it creates more peripheral weight and momentum
and reduces the mass ratio that it is out of balance
sort of bigger is better