| Author |
Message |
monty (24.117.156.250)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2003 - 5:02 pm: | |
I have a 47 GMC silverside with 11-20 tires badly in need of new tires. I have been told by my local tire man that I should go to 11-22 radials with new rims. Is this the 'correct' answer? He says I will get a lot better ride, a little better fuel mileage and a little higher cruise speed.....also, can you buy tires nationally and save any Green? As always, thanks! Monte |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2003 - 5:51 pm: | |
Monty -
Your tire guy's right on the money with his comments. I'd like to point out that both 22.5 and 24.5 inch rims are very common sizes, as are 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 tires, available just about everywhere. These two are the most popular truck tires, buses are more frequently seen with 12R22.5s, or some of the newer metric designations, like 315/80R22.5. But you can use a truck tire on a coach, as long as you're conscious of the difference in the load ratings. A good thing about running 11R-sized tires is that you're more likely to find one at oh-dark-thirty when you have a non-repairable flat.
Now, here's where you have to make a decision that's right for YOU, and the way you most commonly use YOUR bus: The original 11.00x20 bias-ply tires GM used on your coach turned 495 revs/mile. That's a key figure, as you'll see from the following:
Purchasing a tire/wheel combination that turns LESS than 495 revs/mile will give you slightly more top speed, slightly better fuel mileage, slightly more weight capacity, but will make it a little harder to climb grades, requiring an earlier downshift.
Purchasing a tire/wheel combo that turns MORE than 495 revs/mile will give you a little better hillclimbing ability, but your fuel mileage and top speed will suffer slightly.
This, of course, is comparing your purchase to what OEM performance was like. Since your tire guy is suggesting going to tubeless radials and new wheels, now's a good time for you to choose what's going to be right for YOU.
I'd also like to suggest that before you arrive at the tire dealer, run your coach across a set of scales, so you know how much weight is one each axle. That way the tire shop can adjust the air pressure accurately, according to the manufacturer's load/inflation tables. DON'T let them simply put 100 psi in them - make 'em do it right, prividing you've got the weight slip from the scales for them to work with.
HTH,
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
two dogs (67.30.23.72)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2003 - 6:18 pm: | |
Be sure to get 22.5 not 22 (tube type)...go to a truck salvage ,,used tires & wheels,about 100 ea. BUT,only put NEW tires on the front |
monty (24.117.156.250)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2003 - 7:00 pm: | |
Thanks, guys! I appreciate the input. I have fallen in love with that old Silverside, and think I love her more than my dog. It's a good think I am not married..... |
Jay Gerlick (199.35.134.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 12:42 am: | |
Had an old Silversides myself, in fact two of them. They were both to far gone to do anything with except sell or part out. I would get rid of the old split rims too... A lot of tire places won't work on them anymore. Widow makers I guess.. Ka Boom. |
John Rigby (24.174.239.244)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 8:00 am: | |
RJ So the fact that I have 11RX22.5 regular hieght on the rear of my 04 and to save a few bucks 11rx22.5 low profile onthe front ( as a guy had 2 new bridgestones ).Other than look a little funny, do you see any negatives here?? The Spare I carry is a used low proflie.
The tyre store guy said it would be no problem. |
John Feld (204.184.224.2)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 2:54 pm: | |
Keep in mind the torque when instaling the nuts. You do not want them to simply use the air wrench til their tight. There is also a difference in hub piloted and stud piloted wheel rims. Ask your tire man to show you the difference.
John 4104 |
Johnny (67.241.166.182)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 9:13 pm: | |
Wouldn't an 11.00-20 be equal to a 12R22.5 tire?
I know a 10.00-20 is equal to an 11R22.5 tire. |
fbb (63.159.188.222)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 9:45 pm: | |
Help me here. What is diferance between truck tires and (I didn't knoe they existed) bus tires?
thanks fbb |
mel 4104 (208.181.100.39)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 10:40 am: | |
john the reason that you want the 12r22.5 is that they are tubeless and the 11-22 are tube type and the rims are very hard to find, DO NOT use a rim that is the split rim typeas they ahve killed their share of people and no tire shop that i know of will work on the even to remove the tire off the rim. |
Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (63.224.197.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 4:40 pm: | |
Yeah, the others are "dead right" about the split rims. Unless you really want your Silversides to be accurate to its age/date...
...Then you ought to consider it time to get rid of the dangerous (for today's use) split rims and go to something more modern...
...Such as a radial tubless tire that will ride better, perhaps give you a little more top speed, and...
...Be much easier and safer to change out in case of that unexpected flat. You wheel wheel size/space notwithstanding...
....I would lean towards the 11R 22.5 tubeless radial that would closely match the formentioned 476 Revs per mile. Enjoy! |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 4:57 pm: | |
Is there an answer to the difference between Truck and Bus tires? I never knew there was a diffeerence either--
Gary |
Dale MC8 (66.81.135.127)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 5:59 pm: | |
Reading on one BBS or another, the differance I understand is that bus tires (22.5" wheels) have a longer sidewall than truck tires (24.5 wheels) and so the ride is softer. I may well be mistaken and would welcome a correction.
Dale |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:18 pm: | |
I think we're both in "discovery mode" on this one.
My Goodyear G159 tires are listed as light commerical truck/metro duty tires.
I know that 22.5 tires are used on Trucks as well.
I'm not convinced that there is a "Bus-Specific" tire.
Gary |
Peter E (Sdibaja) (66.123.253.184)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:19 pm: | |
bus tires = 12R
truck tires = 11R
12R is a heaver weight rating, they may not be necessary if your coach (and payload) is not a heavyweight.
trucks use both 22.5 and 24.5 rims
12R tires quite a bit more expensive are hard to find in truck stops. I carry a spare tire as well as a mounted spare. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:34 pm: | |
Ok, miine are 11R's but based on what you've said, that's about right for my 30' Bluebird.
But....If you had a flatbed truck that carried heavy loads, and the 12R's were appropriate tires, that wouldn't make them "Heavy flatbed tires" would they?
I'm just wondering if there is a specific tire for the passenger-carrying vehicles, or is it really a matter of matching load capabilities to the amount of weight carried.
Gary |
Peter E (Sdibaja) (66.123.253.184)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 6:45 pm: | |
I don't think you will find 12R tires as original equipment on anything but a bus. The service rep at local Goodyear truck tire dealer had never heard of 12Rs and was surprised to find that they were in stock at his shop.
FWIW, Peter E |
BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.100.211)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 8:14 pm: | |
Our tire guy, Bernie, has a cage that is specifically designed to place a split rim wheel inside when airing them up. The cage is made up numerous lengths of 3" pipe and is about 6 feet high by 2 and half feet wide. Bernie told me a few split rim horror stories
of lost and mangled body parts then showed me a picture of the same type of cage after a split rim came flying off; the cage had deformed and was now 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall.
Brian |
two dogs (67.30.23.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 8:57 pm: | |
I already know I'm going to get people whineing again,but there is a difference between "split rim" & split ring wheels....split ring are not bad.....split rim are called "mankillers"
I had a "deal" with a guy that took care of school busses years ago...to make a long story short...school bus tires did not stay together on the trailer of the bigtruck...(22.5) |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 9:27 pm: | |
If I recall this correctly, and If not I'm sure we will all know that too.
12R tires should have a heavier weight rating as they are bigger (wider) tires than 11R's, if you put 12R's on a 4104 or a 4106 you can rub an air bag that is not standing tall.
Bus / Metro tires have heavy duty sidewalls and ride much stiffer, they are designed to rub the curbs in city driving, they have a lower top speed rating as the heavy rubber comes apart like mobile home tires at high speeds.
So buy the 11R 22.5 or 24.5 wheels and tires, in the tread design that suites your use and needs.
Tom C |
two dogs (67.30.23.50)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 9:47 pm: | |
had no idea silversides had airbags..guess I apologize |
Johnny (67.242.221.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 9:57 pm: | |
The 1972 F-800 at work still runs 10.00R20's on the original (probably split) rims. The only hassle so far has been the fact that so few tire places still have TUBES! Solution: we carry a couple tubes. |
two dogs (67.30.23.50)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 10:00 pm: | |
bet you it has split rings instead |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 10:51 pm: | |
2 dogs, I Did not say that Silversides had air bags! I said the wider tires will rub the air bags on a 4104... (my statement was intended to demonstrate that if 11's don't rub and 12's do then 12's are wider than 11's.)It will be also be less trouble finding 11R's than it will 12R's when you need one on a 110 deg Sunday afternoon.
Tom C
Help me here, your handle "Two Dogs" do you have 2 canines? 2 bus's? Big Feet? or what. Just curious. |
two dogs (67.30.23.50)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 11:00 pm: | |
my dad named me that....it has to do with an off color joke
you will have to admit everybody has got this guys head all screwed up...subject is 'TIRES FOR A SILVERSIDE;....
ARE YA' HELPED OUT |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 11:20 pm: | |
Sure, I'll leave it at that. |
two dogs (67.30.23.46)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 1:00 am: | |
anyway monte...first couple of posts give you what you need,rest of it is "I want to talk about my tires" |
rdub (207.69.140.15)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 6:07 pm: | |
Monty,
Whew!!...I wonder if you'll get all the way down here. I have a VERY NICE Silversides (if I do say so myself). I have 22.5s on it and with the west coast gearing I can cruise 68+ on the freeway and pass trucks on the hills (4-valve 671). Write my E address with yours and we'll swap pics. Not too many of us 3751 guys around. Rdub. |
Jim-Bob (12.46.52.74)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 - 1:49 pm: | |
12R22.5 is the size that corresponds with the old 11x20 split rim (tube type) bias ply tire. I have heard that the bus companies specified the odd sizes so that their drivers didn't sell the spare tire at a truckstop. You could certainly use 11x22.5 if you want, the tire carries more weight than the old 11x20. But I replaced the 11x20s on our 4104 with 12R22.5 4yrs/25000 miles ago & have had no problem. Did have a bag rubbing problem once but from an air brake line, not from the tire. |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.211.97)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 - 10:18 pm: | |
Dirty little secret:
In service buses ran (and do run) awfully heavy on their wheels/axles when fully loaded with people, luggage, freight, fuel, air conditioning, etc.
Tires on a bus may have been seeing weights that a hungry gravel hauler could only dream of.
No doubt some influence on tire selections of the past.
Best if we know pretty close as to what our own conversions are going to weigh on each axle and see what the tire guy/gal has to say about our safer choices.
No need to over buy, and certainly don't want to under spec our tires!
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2003 - 10:07 am: | |
Well said Buswarrior. |
Johnny (67.242.221.189)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 8:39 pm: | |
"bet you it has split rings instead"
Actually, I think it has split RIMS. They are original issue from 1972. I know the tire guy put the rim in a metal cage kind of thing when he was replacing the tires. |
two dogs (67.30.23.14)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 9:11 pm: | |
don't want to make an arguement out of it..ask the tire guy..bet he will say split ring...last truck I had with split rims was a '49 chevy... |
Johnny (67.242.221.189)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 10:31 pm: | |
I thought they ran until the early 80's on MDT's. |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.249.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2003 - 12:15 am: | |
My tire guy calls split RIMS 'widow makers' (the ones that go into the cages)which to me, made sence because the rim itself is split... but
then, I always thought split RING was Mack type rim clamp stuff. But there you go. Oh, and the tire guy has made me promise NOT to buy aluminum rims for my coach, under any circumstances, swear to him I wouldn't. So though I WAS going to, I'm not now... stainless hub caps.
Brian |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2003 - 1:58 pm: | |
Hey Brian,
What does your tire guy have against aluminum rims?
Gary |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.249.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2003 - 7:43 pm: | |
Gary, I tried "yeah, but..." and "But, what if..." and I was honestly surprized by his fervent and vehement denunciation. Truly, he put the fear of god in me... BUT he was in a hurry when we talked and I never got him to expound on his objections... If I remember, I'll ask him on monday, he should have calmed down somewhat!
Brian |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2003 - 8:17 pm: | |
I'll be interested in what he says, considering the number of aluminum wheels on the road today, I can't imagine anyone having serious safety complaints.
As much as a fanatic as I am about building everything out of steel (Boats, Busses, etc...) Aluminum is as strong or stronger in certain applications. I believe wheels are one of those applications.
Additionally, for the sake of efficiency/economy, a pound removed from rotational weight equals like ten removed from the rest of the vehicle (I can't remember the real ratio).
when I ran a welding shop, I actually repaired some, making the owner swear to me that they'd never end up on a steer axle.
Sure enough, next time I saw his tractor, there it was...
Gary |
Brian96A3 (198.81.26.104)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 2:57 pm: | |
Gary, I talked to the tire guy yesterday, he was quite calm... I asked him what his objections to aluminum rims are. He said that aluminum rims are far more fragile, something that might bend a steel rim will assuredly break an aluminum rim. He also said that aluminum rims are far more suseptible to over and under torqueing damage. But, his biggest PEEVE is the inevitable leaking along the bead that the more porous aluminum rims are prone to as they age...not a problem if you keep up with it, but annoying, and expensive to remedy.
Brian |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 3:23 pm: | |
I think your guy may be living in the past....
I think the Alloys are at least as strong as steel, I've never seen torque problems, nor the leak problems he's talking about. "Porous"...Please, gimme a break.
Does he have the same position regarding automotive wheels?
If there were any problems like these, I hardly think theyd have the popularity they do with over the road rigs.
I'm not a "Tire Guy", so maybe he knows something I don't. I did run a welding shop/Service truck for a while, never saw any of these problems.
I'll stick with my Alcoas.
Gary |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.41)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 4:52 pm: | |
I think I agree. Alcoas are rated FIVE TIMES stronger than steel wheels. I have ran them on the bus and Kenworth for almost ever, NEVER heard of that crap, never heard of one leaking either. I would suggest your "tire guy" do some research.
Wrong section Gary, but I have mounted many truck tires with a squirt of starting fluid. You just squirt some in the tire when you get it on the rim, and throw a match at it. Poof! Bead is up where it belongs. I prefer to have some air on the valve stem, some don't. It is impressive to watch and do, I would guess if you get too much in there you have to do it over - with a NEW TIRE. |
two dogs (66.90.217.142)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 5:15 pm: | |
Don...had a tire guy do one like that on the outside dual once,on the truck...(I'd been doing it for years)..after he did it,he looked at me..kinda like "aren't I great"..Told him "I got three tomahawk missles on the flatbed"...(they weren't armed tho) |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.39)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 5:58 pm: | |
Know what you mean Two Dogs. I hauled cluster bombs from Twin Cities Arsenal Minn, several loads a week to Kansas. Got a LOT of respect, they seemed happy to wave me by the scalehouses!! |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 6:38 pm: | |
Hey Don,
I didn't know about 5X but I believe it. I know Alum. Motorcycle wheels are much stronger than steel. The new Performance third-member housings are aluminum and are lighter/Stronger.
As for the starting fluid technique, not only would you need a new tire, but a new tire guy as well.
Hey Brian, I think the consensus is that you need a new tire guy already.
Gary |
Johnny (67.242.221.170)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 9:02 pm: | |
DO NOT MOUNT A TIRE WITH ETHER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! THIS CAN EASILY MAIM OR KILL THE PERSON UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO DISMOUNT IT AT A LATER DATE! UNLESS THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT PERSON DOES NOT BOTHER YOU, DON'T EVEN THINK OF DOING THIS! |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 9:07 pm: | |
Really?
I've never heard of that.
the ether doesn't burn off?
Gary |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.48)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 10:50 pm: | |
I think he missed the finely tuned process we are using Gary. The maiming and killing happens to the installer from what I have seen, no killing power left for the next guy! |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 11:07 pm: | |
All I know is I was the guy with the ether, not the guy with the match.
once it went *BOOM!* I was about 20 feet away, I can move pretty fast for a round boy.
Gary |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.249.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 11:31 pm: | |
Gary, I think the consensus is, you guys are goofy over alcoas... I don't blame you, but Bernie is a very competent AND a very experienced PROFESSIONAL, I doubt if he is telling me old wives tales, but I can only tell you what he said. I do know that an aluminum truck rim will break with a side-loading that will bend a steel rim, I've seen it more than once.
As far as aluminum automotive rims, over the last 20 years I've had three sets (7 years with one car, 5 years with another, 3 years with a third) and vs the steel wheeled vehicles I've had, and have, I've found that aluminium rims lose air, you just live with it.
IN FACT, I have a 1967 Porsche with factory aluminum rims that has been sitting for about 3 years, a 1963 VW Beetle with chromed steel rims thats been sitting for 5 years, AND a 62 Chevy C10 Pickup with steel wheels that has been sitting for about 2 years. The Porsche has four flat tires, the Bug has air in all four and the Chevy had one tire that was low which I aired up recently, which is the only time I added air to all three.
My 96 Toyota Celica needs air on a regular basis (aftermarket aluminium)and my 86 Chevy Conversion Van (factory steel), which lately I drive only on occasion, never needs air nor does the 98 Toyota Corolla with steel wheels my honey drives... So, whether or not I give you a break :::grin::: it has been my first hand experience that the aluminum rims I've had acted plenty porous.
Brian |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.64.199)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 1:26 am: | |
And to add to the above, we have two vehicles with aluminum wheels, a Dodge pickup and a Subaru wagon. Not all the wheels leaked, but three on one and three on the other. Corrosion at the bead is where the problem was on all of them.
We've had steel wheels leak, too, but they were on the coach and they were much older. The problem is not uncommon.
For what it's worth.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
NEO/Russ (66.83.53.142)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 9:21 am: | |
Fuel To The Fire:
I've also had a Porsche, a 911 with factory aluminum wheels, along with dozens of other cars with OEM and some aftermarket aluminum wheels. Some were sandcast, some pressure cast, some diecast and the most expensive, spun aluminum. Currently we own two cars and a SUV all with aluminum wheels. One sits 90% of the time and the others get 100+ miles a weekday. I've had cars since the 70's with aluminum wheels. I carry a tire gauge and check at least monthly. So far the aluminum has given me zero leaks and exellent service. My '59 John Deere 630 looses air because it sits and the steel rims are corroded. The only air leaks I've had in over 40 years of owning and operating cars and trucks were the obvious holes in tires, cracks in old sidewalls, dirty or corroded beads from age or a tire tech too lazy to clean the bead. I believe if you're trying to blame the material that you're barking up the wrong tree. |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.19)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 9:34 am: | |
I feel cheated! I cannot ever recall having owned a car with alloy wheels! I had lots of bus and truck wheels, Alcoa brand only, I never had a problem. Nobody ever said they cannot be destroyed, I have seen them broken in wrecks (and steel ones bent). I am not Alcoa goofy, in fact I recommend NOT using them on a bus. I did, but ONLY because in my trucking past they just looked so darned cool on there. The only failures I have seen is from corrosion and from cracking between the lug bolt holes. I guess you know they carry a 5 year transferable warranty, steel wheels do not! |
two dogs (66.90.211.79)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 10:22 am: | |
alum. wheels leak?? if you use ether ,next tire guy will die??..come on guys..I knew a guy that looked at the moon over his left shoulder...& three years later,....he broke his leg.. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 12:11 pm: | |
I'm going to respond on Don's "Alcoa Wheels are 423% Stronger than Steel" thread... |
Johnny (67.241.224.248)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 8:27 pm: | |
My wife's Grand National has had 17" alloy wheels for a good 6 years...no leaks I've detected, & they've probably had an easy 20+ tire changes on each. The only rim leak I ever had on my Shelby Charger's alloys was due to a damaged wheel. If your alloys leak, you either have an unrelated problem (like a stem leak or a puncture), or the construction of the wheels is inexcusably shoddy.
As someone who used to mount tires for a living, the 2 things that scared me the most were fix-a-flat (which is highly flammable) & tires mounted with ether. Either can, if the tire machine causes the tiniest spark (as they frequently do), turn a tire into a fuel-air explosive. The steel belts in an exploding tire can fly apart with LETHAL FORCE. My boss still has a scar from someone's ether stunt...and that wasn't even a steel-belted tire. |
Johnny (67.241.224.248)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 8:28 pm: | |
One other thing: I see semis every day running 80,000+lbs on Alcoa wheels, over some of the worst roads I've ever seen. They look plenty strong to me. |
bluegrass (216.207.2.129)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 8:52 pm: | |
Johnny
Did the explosion happen on an Aluminum Wheel or a Steel wheel, by the way two dogs, good going |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 8:55 pm: | |
Johnny, Can you please explain how the ether would be a problem. In my opinion, once I have thrown a match at it, it explodes, and the tire bead seats. I do not see how just part of it could explode, and leave some excess starting fluid inside the casings. We have done this for many many years on dune buggy tires out in the middle of the desert, and I have never heard of anybody getting hurt or experiencing a second explosion at at later time. I am not saying it is not possible, but do not really understand how it could happen.
Also, how was your boss injured from an ether stunt. Was this a secondary type explosion, or the main explosion trying to seat a bead?
Richard |
two dogs (66.90.210.189)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 8:56 pm: | |
WAS JUST A QUOTE FROM HUCKELBERRY FINN |
two dogs (66.90.210.189)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 9:02 pm: | |
80 tire changes in 6 years....is your wife the one with long hair |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.64.199)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 11:48 pm: | |
Do you suppose that maybe the reason we've had problems with wheels here is because we get nearly 13 feet of rain a year? It does tend to make almost everything wet.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
john wood (206.252.250.109)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 1:04 pm: | |
As to the ether problem... I can see that if excess ether was used, perhaps all of it would not be consumed as the oxygen supply is limited in a tire, leaving some unburned ether for a future mishap.
Be careful! The patriot act may (mis)construe use of ether in a tire to be a terrorist act. |
Johnny (67.241.224.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 9:52 pm: | |
"As to the ether problem... I can see that if excess ether was used, perhaps all of it would not be consumed as the oxygen supply is limited in a tire, leaving some unburned ether for a future mishap."
Bingo. He was dismounting a bias-ply from a 13" steel wheel (from a Falcon). Apparantly, the dismounting arm sparked against the rim, because he woke up about 10 minutes later as the paramedics arrived, had no hearing for a day and a half, & in his words, felt like he'd "just gotten in the way of a left hook by Joe Frazier". He still has a scar from flying tire carcass. The wheel was undamaged, near as he recalls. |
Johnny (67.241.224.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 9:53 pm: | |
"80 tire changes in 6 years....is your wife the one with long hair"
Actually, it was 20--she experimented with a bunch of different kinds of drag tires.
Not sure what this has to do with tires, but yes, she has 6' of hair.
And yes, I snaked the bathtub drain...again...yesterday. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:11 pm: | |
Johnny, what would leave him or you to believe this was the result of un-exploded ether in the tire? Hard to believe that anyone would have to use ether to seat a tire on a 13 inch rim. Generally all I have seen ether used is on great big tires.
Richard |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:43 pm: | |
Aired the tire with propane maybe? Some other flammable pressurized gas like acetylene? Since apparently the tire was deflated and the bead was broken loose, nothing would contain the flame to create the pressure to blow it one would think. |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:46 pm: | |
I FOUND THE CAUSE. Take a look at this site:
http://www.tiredefects.com/fix-a-flat/Default.htm |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 12:27 am: | |
Don -
Interesting link/site, thanks for sharing.
Seems kinda strange though, that a law firm would allow a webpage to be posted with all the spacing errors in the text. . .
FWIW,
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.249.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 1:06 am: | |
Listen, you guys all seem to feel that aluminum rims
don't leak, good for you, you obviously live in an environment where they don't! BUT, here in the desert, with the cars I have, and have HAD, with aluminum rims, both sand cast and ect. ect. factory, aftermarket...INCLUDING my 300ZX turbo which I'd forgotten to include before, they ALL leaked to one degree or another... Okay, okay, maybe LEAK isn't the right word, SHEEESH how about seeped?
CAUTION, Your results may vary, and should not be construed as pertaining to the results obtained herein.
You can THINK I'm bull&*^%ing you, I'm not.
AND, I have never had a broken leg, though I believe I've looked over my shoulder, both left and right, at the moon! |
two dogs (66.90.216.15)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 2:32 am: | |
only a matter of time now |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.249.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 8:11 am: | |
If you say so, Chicken George... |
Johnny (67.242.221.144)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 10:34 pm: | |
"Johnny, what would leave him or you to believe this was the result of un-exploded ether in the tire?"
The yahoo that nearly killed him admitted--AFTER the explosion--to seating the bead with ether so they could fill it with a hand pump. It seems the used a wee bit too much of it.
Of course, today, they'd probably demand he pay for the destroyed tire. |