| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.61 Rating: N/A |
We're looking at a very nice 1981 MC 9 w/ 6V92TA. It's a nice coach, but needs some new tires. It has steel wheels and I'd like to upgrade those to alumninum. I'd really appreciate some advice on: 1. Size, cost and recommendations on mfg of wheels. 2. A search of the archives found this: - On single-wheel axle ends, when replacing steel wheels with aluminum wheels, one MUST replace all studs with longer studs to allow for the extra thickness of aluminum wheels. - On dual-wheel axles, when replacing steel wheels with aluminum wheels, one OPTIONALLY may use special nuts for this purpose and NOT replace the studs. - In all cases, regardless of wheel type, when replacing any individual stud one should ALWAYS replace ALL the studs on that hub. So, assuming that the studs have not been changed, does the wheel choice determine the stud length? What is the proper stud length. 3. What does hub-piloted vs stud-piloted mean and what does the std. MC9 have? 4. I notice that some put different type of tires on the drive axle from the steer and tag axle. Why? Thanks in advance. | ||
| Justin Burie (Justinb)
Registered Member Username: Justinb Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 209.254.23.194 Rating: N/A |
Hub pilot means that the weight of the bus is carried on the circumfrance of the hub & transfers to the wheel at the main center hole. On Hub-Piloted or HP-10 wheels,the lugnuts & studs are merely fasteners. The bottom of the nuts will flange outward & there will only be one nut per stud on a dual wheel assembly. No inner nut to mess with. In Stud Piloted Wheels (aka Ball Seat Mount/BSM), The studs & nuts perform dual duty as clamping fasteners & weight bearing. You will see that the bottom part of the nut will be rounded in & that dual wheels will have the infamous "dual nut" configuration. The wheel has the lug holes bevelled in to accomodate the nut configuration. Stud Pilot/BSM wheels are subject to cracking/breakage from a couple of fronts. The first is that the wheel is literally pinched to the hub. The second is that there is a much smaller surface area for the weight to ride upon. The third is that torque sequencing when installing the wheels is very important to wheel balance & run-out. To change over from BSM wheels to HP-10, you will need to change out your axle hubs. What to do with an old cracked steel BSM wheel? They make great fire pits. (Message edited by JustinB on March 10, 2010) (Message edited by JustinB on March 10, 2010) | ||
| Bob MacIsaac (Wildbob24)
Registered Member Username: Wildbob24 Post Number: 87 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 98.92.169.236  Rating: N/A |
Here's an explanation with pictures: http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com/us_eng/real/magazines/00v5iss1/ra5.asp Your MC9 most likely has stud-piloted wheels. Bob (Message edited by wildbob24 on March 10, 2010) | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 313 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Hi Jim, In my experience generally you don't need to change the single wheel position studs. Most will have a couple of threads showing with an alcoa wheel mounted. Drive wheels can depend... If you have stud pilot you could leave a steel wheel on the inner position and replace only the outer lugs with longer units for an aluminum wheel app. If it has hub pilot you will likely need longer studs to run aluminum, but you could slide an aluminum on in front of a steel and see if you have threads showing. Some of us run snow and ice. Traction tires on the drive axle tear up the road pretty good when it gets nasty out and you want to go. | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.58 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the responses. A couple of followups if you don't mind: JUSTINB wrote: To change over from BSM wheels to HP-10, you will need to change out your axle hubs. That sounds very expensive. How much would it cost to replace the hubs and is that an expensive service? I assume that I would have to change ALL 6 hubs? What size wheels do I need for the 315 R 80 22.5 tires and how much should I expect to pay for quality aluminum wheels? Thanks. | ||
| Justin Burie (Justinb)
Registered Member Username: Justinb Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 209.254.23.194 Rating: N/A |
Larryc offered the smoothest solution. Less fuss & less $s. Aluminum outers wil likely only have you buying the studs for the outers on the drive axle. Changing out hubs brings to mind the guy complimenting his neighbor on his brand new house. The neighbor replied that it all started out with the missus wanting to repaper the bathroom. Its pretty easy to get into the "while you're at it" syndorme of redoing the brakes, reratio the rear end, rebush the suspension.... Wheel size: 22.5"x8.25" will handle a 315/80R22.5 22.5"x9" is the ideal What weight is your rig putting to the ground on the front axle? Anything less than 15,000# can be handled by a 11R22.5 in 16ply form. The rest of the bus can then go 11R22.5 14ply. This could save you big $s. If you are looking for aluminum, try to get the Alcoa or Accuride "Dura-Brite" or equivelant finish. This will save you a lot of polishing effort. Shop around to some truck parts wharehouse operations & the local commercial tire distributors. Whatever you do - Save the Truck-Stop or a motor coach dealers as a last resort. As a generality, they'll take your head off for the same product. |