Comments on: Tire and Wheel Balance: A Lost Art?

By: Darrell

Darrell — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:33:00 +0000

pleas contact me.

By: John Fleming

John Fleming — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:43:09 +0000

I came across this article and while it looks dated I thought it was worth taking a minute to let someone know that if there are folks in the area of Western Pennsylvania who are experiencing vibration issues that we offer vibration resolution service on motorhomes and buses and we absolutely guarantee satisfaction. We are a family owned company, been in business since 1955 and we know how to fix these problems once and for all. We have references too.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:35:43 +0000

Hello Don,

Vibration problems can make you crazy for sure! We have had a fair of vibration problems with Ford F-53 chassis. For a while we getting coaches in the shop with “three” sides to a tire. This is where tire truing really comes in handy.
I agree with you about the drums. We may be able to find one of our dealers in your area who can help you. Best wishes and thank you for your post.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:23:28 +0000

I’ve had wheel balance troubles with my 2000 Ford F53 20,500lb chassis since I took delivery. While it was under warranty, the Motorhome Assistance center sent me 125 miles to the closest dealer to my home equipped and willing to work on my class A chassis. This dealer performed TSB 00-21-9 – twice! Once I left the MH there for 3 weeks while they replaced two wheels and 3 tires. After a trip, I returned the MH to them telling them it still wasn’t right. This time they had it for over 4 weeks during which they condemned 3 more tires and waited on Goodyear to deliver 5 more tires – two tires failed the tests on the Hunter GSP 9700 Vibration Control System when they were delivered. Family matters prevented me from following up on this problem for two years. When I got frustrated with the continued vibration I felt, I called Haweka to find out if anyone closer to me had an adapter plate for the GSP 9700. I found one at a Ford dealer within 6 miles of my home. While they would not work on a class A chassis, they did agree to check the tires/wheels if I took them off and carried them in. They condemned 4 more tires. The cost out the door for their services and the new tires was over $2200. The problem continues today.

My MH has a tag axle increasing the chassis capacity to 22,000lbs. I’ve discovered that by swapping sides with the tag axle drums, I can change the location of the vibration. I now blame the tag axle drums for my continued problems. I’ve tried Centramatic balancers with no effect on the tag axle. The next thing to try is either like you suggest with a spin balancer or replacing the hub/drum assembly on the tag axle or trying to have it balanced locally at a machine shop. The spin balance sounds like the cheapest way out.

Thanks for covering this topic – now to find a good service location that still has a spin balance capable of checking a 19.5 tire/wheel.