EQUAL TIre Performance Balancing Compound Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

1. How would you describe EQUAL - What is EQUAL?
EQUAL Tire Performance is a dry polymer particle product designed to reduce the vibration level of a loaded pneumatic tire in the dynamic mode.

2. What is Tire Force Variation?
Tire Force variation is the result of tire/wheel, brake drum/rotor inconsistencies along with other rotating axle end components and variables in operating conditions that cause vibrations as the tire contacts the road surface under load.

3. What conditions cause Tire Force Variation?
Anomalies of tire construction, runout, splices as well as varying spring rates around the sidewall. Dimensional non-uniformities of wheels and other components also may contribute significantly to tire force variation.

4. How does EQUAL Tire Performance work?
EQUAL Tire Performance has three effects in reducing tire force variation in the rotating tire/wheel assembly. First, it acts as a tire vibration damper, absorbing the unsteady vibration at all points on the tire circumference. EQUAL Tire Performance also acts as a force reducer in the footprint area, applying a force downward on the tire as it moves through the footprint. Finally, EQUAL Tire Performance performs as a mass balancer by moving into a balanced position within the tire.

5. If water is inside a tire, does it have any effect on EQUAL Tire Performance, and if so, what is the effect?

• EQUAL Tire Performance does NOT ABSORB water in any way.
• Due to the fact that EQUAL Tire Performance is a plastic polymer granule, water or moisture will not change its composition.
• Moisture that accumulates inside the tire will evaporate due to normal driving conditions and therefore is in contact with EQUAL Tire Performance for a very short time.
• EQUAL Tire Performance, when in contact with large amounts of water, (to the point where it is actually floating freely), will do just that, float. This will interfere with the ability of EQUAL Tire Performance to optimize the given tire in the way that the tire dealer or fleet had intended when installing the product. Simply, this means that although EQUAL Tire Performance will never damage the tire in any way, if it is in contact with large amounts of water, it cannot perform its job. Again, it is important to reiterate, that in most cases, moisture will evaporate due to the heat build up in normal driving, and once the moisture has evaporated, EQUAL Tire Performance will perform as it originally did.

6. What are the results when EQUAL Tire Performance is tested on a computer spin balancing machine? Imbalance, because EQUAL Tire Performance only responds to load force/live load. A computer tire balancer cannot simulate load force.

7. Do I use lead weights with EQUAL Tire Performance?
No.

8. Is it necessary to align a truck's tires if they are using EQUAL Tire Performance?
Yes, EQUAL Tire Performance is not a substitute for wheel alignment.

9. Why is EQUAL Tire Performance more economical than lead weights or what are the advantages over lead weights?
EQUAL Tire Performance works for the life of the truck tire tread as opposed to having the tires rebalanced every 15,000 to 20,000 miles with lead weights.

10. Can you use EQUAL Tire Performance in tube-type tires?
Yes.

11. How do you install EQUAL Tire Performance without an applicator?
The EQUAL Tire Performance Drop In Bag can simply be placed in the tire before mounting.

12. What do you say when a customer wants to know about a tire size not on the application chart?
Call 1-800-233-7086 / IMI offices.

13. Why do I need to use the AirX Filtered Valve Core or valve stem filter extensions?
The AirX Filtered Valve Core and the valve stem filter extensions are designed to ensure that the valve core seats properly when using EQUAL Tire Performance and that dust particles and contaminants do not cause any air loss.

14. Can I use EQUAL Tire Performance with dual air pressure Equalizers?
Yes. It is a must to use the AirX Filtered Valve Core or valve stem filter extensions to keep EQUAL Tire Performance from being drawn out of a tire as turck tire pressure is being equalized between the two tires.

15. Tom has just started using EQUAL Tire Performance and is having a lot of air loss complaints and is ready to stop using EQUAL Tire Performance. What should you recommend he do?
Find out:

1. Is he using an AirX Filtered Valve Core or Valve Stem Filter Extension as well as a metal valve stem cap?
2. Is he using an applicator to install EQUAL Tire Performance?

** OSHA regulations: If a tire has lost more than 20 p.s.i., you are required to break down the tire/rim assembly so that the tire can be examined for punctures, ply separations, etc.

16. EQUAL Tire Performance has not corrected the problem. What's wrong? (There are other elements besides an imbalance in the wheel assembly that can cause vibration.)

• EQUAL Tire Performance was only put in the steer tires and not the drive tires. Please keep in mind, just as a passenger car has all wheels balanced, the vibration from drive tires can be felt also in the seat or floor and steering wheel.
• Moisture contained in tire cavity; this will cause EQUAL Tire Performance not to perform effectively. Use the EQUAL Tire Performance Applicator, Valve Stem Filter Extensions & the "Block".
• Excessive wheel and tire runout
• Tires(s) not properly mounted on rim(s)
• Defective Tire(s) - large portions of tread are missing from tire(s)
• Drum Imbalance
• Drive Shaft Imbalance
• Defective U-joints
• Improper Tire Inflation
• Drive Train Misalignment
• Defective Shock or Shock Mounting
• Aluminum or Steel Wheels Covered with Protective Coating or Grease
• Ply Separation or Balance Pad (usually found on "blems")
• Please reference the EQUAL Tire Performance Service Guide.

17. Can I reuse EQUAL Tire Performance after a flat repair?
No, because of product loss.

EQUAL Tire Performance BENEFITS

1. Able to balance the total wheel assembly once for the full tread life of the tire. Equalizes imbalance constantly, regardless of changing "load forces" and other variables. EQUAL Tire Performance has the ability to adjust to any and all changes of vibration frequency or force variation. Lead weights are stationary on the rim and cannot adapt to changes such as tread wear, variations in radial force and load force. EQUAL Tire Performance helps prevent alternate lug wear, "cupping" and "flat spotting". Even tread wear patterns mean substantially more miles per tire. EQUAL Tire Performance prevents vibration which greatly reduces "wear & tear" on the component parts of the wheel assembly, the entire truck and cargo. Substantial savings in labor and time. Cost effective to now balance all 18 tires. Greatly increases your capacity to balance more wheels per day per man. Eliminates the need to buy expensive wheel balancing machines and costly repairs on equipment. All properly trained employees can balance wheel assemblies with this product.
   
   
2. EQUAL Tire Performance is a specially compounded polymer totally compatible with the tire and wheel.

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