Found this behind my wheel

I am converting to 11" brakes on the front of my 69 and discovered this on the front right side between the wheel and brake drum. It is filled with what sounds like BB's. What in the world would this be for?

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa472/Billywam/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4076.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa472/Billywam/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9545.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa472/Billywam/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1337.jpg

 

its a balancer,they are supposed to balance the rotating assembly:v6:

 

Do I need it? And, why is it only on one side? Thx!

 

there usually 4 of them,i would test drive it wihout it

 

Are these an aftermarket gimmick or do they really make a difference?

 

id imagine they help but under 60mph id doubt they do anything. I put on all my own tires and i never ballance them and i dont have any vibes. I think with todays tire technology theyve got the tires pretty well balanced from the factory

 

This is what you have . Centramatic
http://www.centramatic.com/Home.aspx

Use to run on are big trucks, it did make a differance on tire ware.

Andrew

 

They do make a difference if you don't want to balance the tires/wheels. They also compensate for when you chunk out pieces of rubber on large lugged tires.

 

Sort of relevant to this thread...my tire shop gave me the option of putting balancing pellets into my tire, instead of fixing weights to the aluminum slotted mags. I was a little apprehensive about trying something different; but, I gotta say, I like 'em!!! From 0 to 60 MPH, they work great. The tire shop said they only put them into 31" and bigger. And, like Nickmil said, they compensate everytime there's a change in balance.

 

I'm sure this is probably a commonly used trick that I've just never heard of... But since it was new to me, I figured it could use a bit more research. If anyone else is curious, there's an explanation for why this works over on the MythBusters' forum... http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7501919888/m/56419383201/p/2

Learn something new every day. Now, I just need to go buy some air-soft pellets and try it out...

-Ken

 

I've read lots and lots about people putting BB's in big ole mud tires.

I believe some people use sand as well.

 

Dyna beads, I balance my motorcycle tires with them.
They work on the same prinicple and work great, you can use them on virtually any sized tires.

Sand would be way to abrasive on the tires, BB's to hard to get in there. Dyna beads can be put in thru the tire valve, which is how I do it.