Balancing Insa Dakars

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ronsealdeath

ronsealdeath

Sagging Member
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1,851
Location
Swansea, Wales
Ive run Insa Turbo Dakars on my D2 for a little while with only the usual noise and mpg drop.
I went to a chain tyre shop ive used for years for 2 new fronts last week and whilst fine up to 40mph, over that they were dangerously out of balance.
So i took them back today to get them checked. I spoke to the fitter before going into the office and he said when i came in originally they couldn’t balance one at all. Went into the office and they took it in to look at it. Result was they have put the one requiring most weights on the rear and come back if its still an issue. No surprises it wobbles rear and front now.
Anyone else find garages failing to balance m/t tyres or insas in general? I know they dont balance easily but all 5 of the ones i have had on for 6 months have been perfectly balanced. Are these 2 tyres defective?
Its going back in but i will still need 2 tyres whatever happens.
 
We have BFG ATs on the defender and they all have a huge row of weights. Which to me seems wrong but no wobble so not touching yet.

Good luck.

J
 
ronsealdeath said:
Thanks. I know muds are a pain to balance but i get the impression if you are a tyre shop who does tractor and lorry tyres, you wouldnt find it an issue.
Click to expand...

What’s the average age in the tyre shop ;)

Anyway good luck let us know how you get on.

J
 
ronsealdeath said:
Thanks. I know muds are a pain to balance but i get the impression if you are a tyre shop who does tractor and lorry tyres, you wouldnt find it an issue.
Click to expand...

When I done commercial & agricultural tyres we used to put bags of sand like substance inside the tyres
depending on the size of the tyres goes by the weight of the bag, it sits in the bottom of the tyre & balances
it that way, so no weights one the wheels. If you have them spin the wheel & tyre on the balancer you will
be able to see if its running true or all over the place.
 
Insa turbos are Remolds. Unfortunately, remolds are rearlynever perfect. I had them on my 90, and like you they'd damned near shake my arms off.
I recently got rid of them and bought Cooper Discoverer AT3s, I don't actually need mods, and when balanced the difference is complete polar opposite. If you dont actually need muds, I'd get some ATs, if you do need muds, go for a big brand like Cooper, BFG, or General.
 
Aye i would have put BFGs on but they are ££££££ We run them and General AT3 in work and both are great tyres. The insa M/Ts are there due to price and im not ashamed to say, looks. I like aggressive looking tyres and i dont do many miles plus need something that will be decent in mud.
My previous set of Dakars were balanced great and drove fine, so thats why i replaced them like for like.
Ive had maxxis at 771 before and they were good on road but not good enough in mud.
Going back in Sat morning and they will rotate them on the rims. Fingers crossed
 
Extreme 4x4 sold beads to go inside the tyres, as mentioned. Not sure whether they are still trading but I’m sure someone would sell them still.
 
They rotated the tyre on the rim, re balanced and its fine now. There was just too much weight on one spot previously and it needed redistributing.
It seems balancing m/t tyres is a case of finding the heavy point on rim and tyre and mounting them opposite each other. Lead balance weights should then be within sensible ranges and it should drive fine and balance at 0.
Thanks for the input
 
ronsealdeath said:
They rotated the tyre on the rim, re balanced and its fine now. There was just too much weight on one spot previously and it needed redistributing.
It seems balancing m/t tyres is a case of finding the heavy point on rim and tyre and mounting them opposite each other. Lead balance weights should then be within sensible ranges and it should drive fine and balance at 0.
Thanks for the input
Click to expand...
Problem is, most tyre places don't know how to fit M/T tyres.
 
They can be fussy but it can be done. It’s hard to find someone willing, usually someone that’s previously used to fitting tractor tyres. One always seems to need more weights :rolleyes: make sure they don’t catch your callipers

Having good condition alloys helps

Mine balanced properly runs smooth at high speed so no probs when I drive normally then.
 
ronsealdeath said:
Yeah they do that with tyres in America; put beads in them or similar. When they pop the bead ill chuck some Tesco rice in there
Click to expand...

Yup, I’ve had MTs fitted with this... polystyrene beads of some sort I believe. They guy who sold me the wheels and tyres was a tractor fitter and said it worked very well; it did.
 
Well, turns out they are still out after a few more miles at various speeds. Id had enough of sitting in the tyre fitters getting them to sort it so i did some research and bought 2 bags of Magnum plus balance beads from Devon 4x4. I knew one tyre was out but only by a few 10s if grams. The beads arrived and it stated they cant be put through the tyre valve and must go in via a broken bead. Oh dear.
30 mins on youtube plus some fuel hose, a funnel and a spare tyre valve and I confirmed they do go through, just veeeery slowly.
I took out the valve on the suspect tyre, attached my hose to funnel device and taped it upright (valve at 6 o clock of course). Poured the beads in and tapped it with a mallet. Was not moving!
So youtube came to the rescue and after using my hair clippers as a vibrator device, all beads went in within 10 mins. Other vibrating devices will work.... my neighbours must gave thought id lost it LOL
Anyway, it drives spot on now, no imbalance. Pleased and those beads are cheap. They do the job if your a bit out with lead weights, but are perhaps not a substitute. Its been suggested that lead and beads together wont work, but thats not the case. Smooth as anything now.
 
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