Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

Here’s a very unique video of a camera mounted inside a tire with balancing beads. You can actually watch what the beads do as the tire goes down the road.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UZQXPLfOPXc

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

Very interesting, thanks.

There are a few take aways from this video.

First, the person who did the video is clever but has not studied dynamic systems. Above the critical speed, when deflections due to unbalance are the greatest, the part of the tire that has the maximum deflection (maximum radius) is opposite the heaviest side, so the beads will go to the light side.

Second, you can see how the sidewalls on this radial tire deflect each time that side of the tire is on the pavement.

Third, the balancing machine has a rigid bearing that does not allow the tire to deflect due to the unbalance and so the beads will not move to the light side of the tire. The beads depend on having a suspension system that allows the tire to deflect due to unbalance.

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

Yikes! 50 mph on such a crappy tyre AND driving with his phone in his hand. That guy is CRAZY!
Good info on the beads though.

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

Is the balance of the tire negatively effected, if you were to have five times the amount of beads?

If you don't have enough beads, wood it improve, but not completely balance from lack of counter weight material?

Could the balance machine work, if the wheel mount was allowed to pivot up and down or does it require sidewall flex?

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

If you have more beads than are required they just distribute around the tire. You can see this in the video. If you don't have enough then it will only be partly balanced. The balance machine has a very small amount of flex in the bearing system so that it can detect where the unbalance is. It would need more for the beads to work effectively. I think just one direction of flexture would be needed, either up and down or back and forth, but I am guessing.

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

nkaminar,

Thank you for the explanation, that answers my questions.

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

From counter act balancing beads, too much beads may cause an imbalance ! It’s always good to check and follow manufacturer instructions !

Re: Tire Balancing Beads Video.
 

I am quite surprised that camera stayed mounted as long as it did I would have thought 10 or 15 miles an hour and it would have broken free from the wheel.