Counteract is the ONLY balancing product on the market proven to improve fuel economy in two separate S.A.E and TMC type II tests. We were the first to market 100% glass beads for balancing. Don't be fooled by competitive claims, Counteract's technology makes it the most technologically advanced system on the market today.
The amount of Counteract needed is determined by the vehicle and the tire size, and in some cases the aggressiveness of the tread. Try our handy calculator to find out exactly what is recommended for your tire.
No, Counteract does not void any tire warranties. Due to our advanced technology Counteract does not harm the inside of a tire, once removing Counteract from a tire you would never know it was inside. Warranties are only voided if the internal balancer has caused harm to the interior of the tire carcass, or you can tell that something was installed inside the tire.
None of these happen using Counteract.
Having too many beads inside the tire in some cases can cause a slight imbalance. This is a concern on smaller tires where there is not as much room in the tire cavity for the beads to evenly spread themselves where they need to be. When there is too much, it can create a "traffic jam" where the excess beads get forced into the wrong balance position creating an imbalance. There is certainly an ideal amount of product to have inside the tires, as directed by our application charts. The smaller the tire, we need to be precise, the larger the tire, such as commercial tires or off-road tires there is much more room to allow for extra product without hindering the performance. We will always recommend referencing from our chart, and we always remind customers to make sure they are referencing the proper chart as we do have specific charts for specific applications.
Yes, Counteract is re-usable.
However, you must be careful when re-using the product. When we manufacture our product it goes through a special decontamination and cleansing process. When you re-use it you could lose some beads or contaminate them which could cause the product to not work as effectively. For the price and extended tire life you receive using Counteract it makes sense to put in fresh product.
No, our truck beads and our motorcycle beads are different. They go through different refining process and are manufactured differently. Motorcycle tires are different then truck tires, so are our beads. If you use the truck beads in a motorcycle we will not honor any warranty claims or support any issues that may arise.
No, Counteract Balancing Beads will not react with any known metal or materials.
No.
The Counteract Balancing Beads will only move to the balanced position through inertia generated by the out of balance condition of the complete wheel assembly and the up and down motion of the vehicle suspension.
It is not advised to combine other internal balancing agents or balancing rings with Counteract Balancing Beads. It is recommended that all other types of balancing be removed so as not to hamper Counteract Balancing Beads from balancing the wheel assembly properly.
Counteract Balancing Beadshas proven that we allow tires to run 30 degrees cooler than a traditional spin balance, and 60 degrees cooler another popular internal balancer. Counteract actually keeps your tires running cooler, helping eliminate thermal degradation and irregular wear.
No, you should not combine weights with the use of internal balancers.
The reason being is they work against each other. If you have a balance issue, you only need Counteract.
Counteract is 100% TPMS compatible. Counteract can and should not be injected through the valve stem if it has TPMS sensors, in this case you must install the product while the tire is broken or while being mounted.
Counteract is a balancing product. If there is an imbalance with your tires Counteract will remedy the problem. However, no balancing product can fix a bad tire, bent rim or mechanical problem. If you need help troubleshooting a vibration issue, please feel free to submit this troubleshooting form and we'll contact you to help resolve your issue. Click Here
Counteract does not recommend the use of internal balancing products in most automobile tires (the exception being classic cars).
For a detailed explanation click here
When you put a lift kit on a vehicle, it changes the angle of the driveshaft, rendering the driveshaft itself unbalanced. This can cause the vibrations that are sometimes mistaken for tire balance vibrations. No matter what you do to balance your tires in this situation, it won't eliminate the driveshaft vibration. To learn more, check out this article by 4WheelParts Click here
Our application charts are based on a stock vehicle with stock wheels and no modifications. In many cases, when a vehicle is modified it changes the dynamics and drive-ability of that vehicle. In those instances, our recommended amount may, or may not be enough to compensate for the tire imbalances. It is also to be noted that when a vehicle has aftermarket wheels, lift kits or other aftermarket components, there are many more possibilities for vibration that may not be tire balance related.
Counteract will balance a tire, wheel and its entire rotating assembly. It will not fix an alignment issue, driveshaft imbalance, or harmonic vibrations from an aggressive tire tread.
No, Ambient moisture does not affect the product's performance, this is due to our special coating.
Counteract Balancing Beads are made of recycled tempered glass and do not break down when used in tires, the evidence of this is in millions of applications sold since introduction in 1997. Not one case of this problem has ever been reported.
Counteract Balancing Beads are easy to remove. The simplest way is to use the Counteract Air Powered Bead Vacuum which allows you to quickly vacuum beads out of a tire, avoiding messy spills. Alternatively you can sweep the beads into a pile inside the tire and scoop them out. Always be careful not to spill the beads onto your work surface.
<pValve clogging is not a common problem with Counteract Balancing Beads and is usually the result of dust (we remove all dust at the manufacturing stage). A valve filter may help but can also slow down air flow or become clogged itself by dust, making it difficult to check air pressure. To address this situation the beads are selected by size and put through multiple screening and dusting processes. To reduce the possibility of a valve leak, it is recommended to use a Counteract Valve Core and self sealing valve cap (supplied in every package).
</p
The reason we do not sell bulk pails of Counteract is due to multiple issues. If we have shop users weighing out their own beads and putting them in tires, we cannot guarantee that their scale or scoop is accurate to our required tire size measurements. We package the bags individually for specific tire sizes so that there are no issues.
It allows us to have control over what is being installed into the tire, therefore we will help with any support needed. If you weigh your own, you’re on your own and we are not responsible if anything goes wrong. Also, as mentioned before, our product has a special decontamination and cleaning process, if users weigh out their own they can contaminate the product and cause issues.
No, Counteract is not compatible with any tire sealant or slime. Do not combine these products.
The Story: Modded my chunky 1800cc cruiser with a non-standard phatty front tire for personal comfort, handling and style reasons. Came back from the garage with CRAZY out-of-balance vibrations at most speeds, becoming *dangerously* wild at highway speeds. Didn't want to take it back to the garage who balanced it as they already didn't like the idea of the non-standard tire (which was approved in writing by the tire manufacturer, in addition to many dozens of personal reviews.
..), so I chose not to engage that battle with the garage and after some research went with these beads instead. Removed all the weights on front *and* back wheels, installed the beads per instructions (eZpZ - just a bit of patience and about 10mins per tire - recommend using a bike lift to hold it while loading), pumped the tires back to proper pressure and have put about 1000kms on them since - HOLY COW!! Like NIGHT and DAY compared to what must have been *wildly* incorrect weights applied by the garage. Plus, now I don't have any unsightly weights on my rims. Beads work AWESOME - smooth as silk, no noticeable "start off" unbalance feel whatsoever (they claim static holds them in place for brief stops). HIGHLY recommended - wish I did them from Day 1. Enjoy.
2016 M109R
Happy Happy Joy Joy 3 years ago
August 17, 2021
I've been using Counteract Balance Beads for yearson a 2004 Yamaha FZ6 (for approximately 60,000 km and 3 or 4 sets of tires), a friend's Honda NC700x, and now I'm also using them in a 2012 Yamaha WR250R (tubed motorcycle).
I believe that they increase the life of the tire - and of special note my front tires don't cup anymore either. No feeling of 'out of balance' ever from installation (which I do myself) to the end-of-life removal of the tire. FWIW, if you get a puncture, don't use a 'slime' type product as then the beads will not be able to move to the light spots in the tire anymore. You can't throw a balance bead like you can a weight, and they're easier on the rim too. They're much easier to use than trying to balance perfectly with weights as well. I also reuse them when I change tires.
2004 Yamaha FZ6
Southeast Steve August 2021
After lacing a new rim on my bike, I had a vibration at around 60. Tried putting some balance beads into the existing tube, but that didn't quite get rid of the shake. I decided to try this tube with beads already in it, and that fixed it! Going to get one for the rear soon.
Dustin · Review provided by revzilla.
com
May 26, 2020
It doesn't really cost any more than a standard tube + Counteract beads, and having the beads already in the tube makes the job easier (unless you have really balance poor knobbies like Dunlop 606's ... then maybe you'll need more beads in the tube). The tube itself feels like a quality product and the valve looks to be of high quality too. I'm using this one on a 2012 Yamaha WR250R. Future Ready-balance tubes will get used on a 1999 BMW F650 and on the rear of the WR as well. Southeast Steve · Review provided by fortnine.ca
August 17, 2021
I checked this product out on line, was a little skeptical at first, but watched a few videos and read the reviews from other sites. Since removing the stick on weights and adding the beads the difference has been incredible. Very smooth all vibration is gone, I highly recommend this product and am now considering purchasing more and using them on my car as well.
I recommend them to all my bike riding friends.
Jeff- 6 years ago
2009 Suzuki M90
Read a lot of reviews here and elsewhere that claimed this was a long process, didn't work, junk, etc.. Well I read the instructions and installed the beads EXACTLY like the instructions said. Pouring a little at a time down the valves was the main point to follow. It took a total of maybe 5 minutes per wheel to do. To me this was just an experiment as I already have a wheel balancing machine and have balanced many wheels in the past. A bonus is no weights to fly off or get knocked off. Chanced tires and tubes, filled up with beads and took off. ZERO issues with wobbles or air leakage. My days of balancing motorcycle tires are over. A bonus feature: If you keep a kit in your roadside emergency repair kit you can balance your tire while doing a roadside repair.
August 17, 2021
I have done about 8 tires now with the balance beads and am convinced that this is the only way to go.
The first set of tires took me on a 8000kms journey on rough roads before the tire wore down. i was curious of what the beads looked like after all these miles. I figured that they would be worn down and powedered up, but looked like new. I was carefull and pulled them out of the old rubber and reinstalled in the replacement tires. The inside of the old rubber was not effected by the beads at all. I am saving about $50 per tire by doing this myself. So far for me that is a $400 savings.
I was skeptical at first, but determined to change my own tires and balance them myself. I thought I'd try this before spending big money on a static balancing set up or going through the trouble of making one.
I was sure it sounded too good to be true, but I've been really impressed. I've put on a couple of hundred KMs with the balance beads at varying speeds.
My old tires must have come out of balance a bit through wear, because I can feel a very big difference in the vibration at speed - much smoother now.
I have a BMW R1100GS and put 3oz in the rear and 2oz in the front. It wasn't quick, or fun to put them in, but it was a small price to pay. The kit is very well thought out too. I was impressed that they even provide the extra valves and caps. Its a nice touch.
I'd definitely recommend these. Its not just snake oil.
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How unnerving drivers are, the sudden vibration from the wheel. This can happen after hitting a hole, or in case of sticking to the inside of the disk: dirt, ice, bitumen. Now, car owners can avoid imbalance if they start using balancing balls. They are also called granules or beads for balancing. Thanks to the development of Western engineers at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, car enthusiasts around the world can visit tire shops less often.
Balancing pellets have a regular round shape design.
The principle of operation of the balls is as follows, under the action of centrifugal force, the granules are distributed in places where the weight imbalance is greater. During the movement, the beads are affected by an electrostatic field, and under the influence of tribostatics, the granules seem to stick to the inner surface of the tire. The more balls in the rubber, the heavier their total mass, which makes it possible to eliminate even a strong imbalance of the wheel.
The core of each granule is a component such as glass or ceramic. Outside, the core is covered with a shell of silicone material. The creators of automatic balancing were Canadian engineers from Counteract Balancing Beads Inc., from Ontario. It was they who obtained a patent for the invention in 1997. The developers presented the tire self-balancing technology based on glass microbeads. The granules had electrostatic features and a slippery silicone coating. Standard ball diameter 0.
15-0.9mm. At present, the technology has not changed.
As the car moves, the beads rub against the inside of the tire, creating a tribostatic effect. The granules try to be evenly distributed over the inside of the tire. Beads accumulate in the place of greatest load and stick together. It remains in this position even after the vehicle has stopped. As a result, not only the rubber and the disc are balanced in motion, but the assembly that includes the brake disc with the hub. It will not work to balance the entire node on the machine. Therefore, granules, in this case, are much more effective.
In order to place the balancing balls in the wheel, the spool must be unscrewed. Through the pumping fitting, it is necessary to pour the powder from the granules into the wheel. Also, the beads can be placed in the tire when flanging. Refer to the user manual for the charge volume. Then, the spool is screwed into place and the wheel is inflated.
The benefits of bead balancing are undeniable. Thanks to a dynamic process, the balance of the wheel is constantly being adjusted. For example, if ice has stuck to the inside of the disc after washing, then the granules will correct the imbalance. As soon as the ice thaws, the balls will again correct the correct rotation of the wheel, changing their location. Pros of using a microbead:
Despite the positive effect of microbeads, there were also disadvantages in its use. However, the "fly in the ointment" is quite small. Firstly, the pellets are guaranteed to scatter when the wheel is unmounted. Collecting microbeads, in the presence of a waiting queue, is not very pleasant. Secondly, some of the balls will be lost when the tire breaks.
But this already belongs to the category of rare situations. The main disadvantages of bead balancing:
The use of balancing pellets still brings more benefits than losses. Each car owner must decide for himself whether to use automatic balancing.
Canada is an industrial country. Its roads are criss-crossed by heavy vehicles. Therefore, automatic balancing was created primarily for trucks. That is, the development is addressed to large tires. But even after exceeding the speed limit of 110 km / h, the effect of the balancing granules disappears, this was noticed by the drivers of road trains.
The effect of beads on passenger tires has not yet been fully explored.
If you have a strong desire to purchase balancing balls, you should take into account the operating conditions. As it became clear from the materials of the article, bumpy roads and private use of expressways can reduce the effect of automatic balancing to zero. But if you are a truck owner, then this type of technological innovation will most likely be useful.
Balancing is one of the main types of wheel maintenance. With an imbalance, the car vibrates, fuel consumption increases, tires and suspension wear out faster. An innovative solution to this problem was balancing the wheels with balls. The innovation appeared in the West, especially for heavy vehicles. However, the idea has spread in the environment of passenger wheels. What is the peculiarity of this balancing method, how the process takes place, what advantages and disadvantages this method has, more on that later.
The idea of bead balancing came from the fact that even new truck tires are sold with poor centering. As a result, the tires wear out quickly and cause damage to the suspension of the vehicle. As for balancing machines for cargo wheels, they are available only in specialized tire shops for heavy trucks. It was this shortage of specialized workshops that became the trigger for the development of the bead balancing method.
The idea was not new, as it was previously practiced by one of the American truck drivers in the mid-50s of the twentieth century. However, it did not receive mass interest and distribution.
The American's idea was good, but far from perfect. The material of the granules did not allow to achieve the required quality of self-balancing. In 1997, Canadian engineers finalized the idea. The invention was patented by Counteract Balancing Beads Inc. Technologists have developed glass beads in a silicone shell with electrostatic properties.
When moving, the beads rub against the rubber and stick to it under the influence of tribostatics. Moreover, the beads tend to a balanced distribution. Even after stopping, the balls remain in their places. The peculiarity of this method is that there is a complex balancing of the entire assembly: wheel, hub and brake ram. Well, it can't be done on a machine.
Modern manufacturers use proppants in the production of balancing kits - granular refractory powder made of glass or ceramics. Each element has a very smooth surface, with a porosity of no more than 0.3% and a microhardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Sphericity and roundness of the proppant 0.9/0.9. Due to these characteristics, the balls have a lower abrasion coefficient and last longer.
The most popular are: a glass ball 0.15-0.65 mm (US patent No. 6128952) and its analogue 1.0-2.0 mm from the manufacturer TECH INTERNATIONAL. However, glass beads do not resist moisture well.
As a result of friction, glass dust is formed, which is hydroscopic. It is like cement accumulates in a certain place of the tire, which leads to imbalance.
Another type of ball is made from ceramic (US Patent No. 7360846). The elements are quite smooth and durable. However, excessive strength negatively affects the rubber itself. Ceramic beads simply wear out the tire from the inside.
The balancing beads are placed in the beaded tire just before mounting or through the inflation port. In the second case: the nipple is removed, the powder is poured, and then the nipple is screwed into place. One filling of balls can be enough for the entire period of operation of the tire.
Balancing is effective only on a flat road surface. Bumps and holes will shake the wheel, which will prevent the beads from sticking to the inside of the tire. After leaving on a flat highway, the centrifugal force of the wheel will balance.
This will be enough to form the effect of tribostatics and uniform placement of beads. The action can be compared with the spin mode of a washing machine: until the laundry is distributed over the drum, the machine shakes violently.
Pay attention to the "dosage". A lot of beads - everything will appear in the wheel. Few beads - balancing will not work. In order to optimally calculate the required number of balls, you should resort to the help of special balancing powder tables.
As with any maintenance method, tire self-balancing has its advantages and disadvantages. The pluses include:
Disadvantages of ball balancing:
