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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Ed Hackenbruch on December 31, 2009, 09:11:44 PM

Title: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on December 31, 2009, 09:11:44 PM
In the course of working on another project which involves pulling my wheels i found that i have a wheel that is cracked. Damn drugs! ( that was for you Cody, i knew that is what you would think. ;D )  Anyway we are in Yuma, i have 11R 22.5 steel Budd wheels and need to get one or maybe two wheels. Anybody know of a source close by?   Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: RJ on December 31, 2009, 11:49:45 PM
Ed -

IMHO, the easiest way to get a wheel would be to visit a HD truck wrecking yard, at least for a used one.

For new, I'd get on the phone and call the maintenance department at YCAT (928-783-2235) and ask them where they get their wheels.  Or one of the charter bus outfits in town: TourWest (928-343-4848) or Buffalo Bus Tours (928-342-0015).

Accuride is one of the more common brand names, btw.

Probably will have to wait until Monday, tho.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)

Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 01, 2010, 08:34:54 AM
Thanks RJ,  i have accuride so that is what i would like to replace it with.  Not much in the way of truck wrecking yards around here, know of one small, old one, and one or two truck parts places, neither one of which has much stock. Will have to make the rounds on Monday i guess and probably end up ordering from one of them.
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Len Silva on January 01, 2010, 12:00:29 PM
Last time I looked was about ten years ago and new steel wheels were $65-75.  Probably around $100 today.  At those prices, I don't think I would mess around with used wheels.

Call your local heavy tire dealer.
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: buswarrior on January 01, 2010, 12:53:04 PM
Yes, there are measurements that one needs to take on used wheels to be sure they aren't in the scrap yard for a reason.

Lots of wheel refinishing businesses around with stock, grab the trade press out at the truck stop.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: gus on January 01, 2010, 01:11:25 PM
I agree with Len.  Unless you have a way to check for bent used wheels new is the way to go.

You don't want bent wheels on the front it it is avoidable. I only have two of six that are true and it limits tire rotation.

Cracked wheels are often caused by over tightening, a constant problem at tire shops.
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 01, 2010, 01:32:05 PM
I would prefer to buy a new one. If the price is right i would replace all 6 with new.  Yuma has a limited amount of choices available. We are 75 or more miles from anywhere. ;D
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: DaveG on January 02, 2010, 12:25:49 PM
While your tire size may be 11r, your wheel will be something like 8.25x so clean up the wheel a bit (on the outside as if mounted on outer drive, or inside on the steer/tag/bogie) and then just ask for 8.25x22.5 wheel, Budd/stud pilot or Metric/hub pilot. As has been stated, wheels do wear, especially around the lug area, so for the price difference you really should consider buying new. Most truck stops and any new truck dealer, or large aftermarket parts house will have some, or most big tire dealers too. If not Yuma, PHX or San Diego. While Firestone (Accuride) is a good wheel, don't let that hold you up...more than likely all the wheels on you bus are not the same anyway.
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Gary '79 5C on January 02, 2010, 12:51:31 PM
Ed,

I just replaced two (2) 11R 24.5 steel wheels, NEW $100 each with tax.  In south Jersey, No big deals just tire wholesalers.

Good Luck,

Gary
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: letz4wheel on January 02, 2010, 01:11:32 PM
 These are truck stops in the Yuma area. Most Loves now have tire service on a call out and on lot basis. I really know nothing about Barney's. Either one ought to be able to tell you where to go. If you need any more help in being told where to go....just ask  ;D ;D
1   
Barney's Auto Truck Plaza  - 10.99 miles away

10800 N Frontage Rd, Yuma, AZ 85365 US
Website (928) 342-2696 

. 2   
Love's Travel Stop  - 3.43 miles away

2931 E Gila Ridge Rd, Yuma, AZ 85365 US
Website (928) 341-9100

Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 02, 2010, 03:45:05 PM
My wife is always telling me where to go.......and how to do it. ;D
Title: Re: Need a wheel or two
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 04, 2010, 06:20:51 PM
Went wheel shopping today and here are the results.  Two Barneys in the area. One sells fuel, coffee, and snacks. No repair shop, no tires, no wheels, no nothing. The other one is the same except that they do have two containers on site that were closed when we got there but i believe holds tires. They had about a dozen used steel and aluminum wheels chained together outside.  Loves, fuel and snacks, no shop, no nothing.  Two tire shops only dealt with cars trucks and some rvs.  Two other tire shops did have wheels. One wanted $ 139.99 per wheel and the other wanted $ 103.95 per wheel.  Their fees for mounting and balancing  were close to the same.........wanna guess  where i went?    Bought 3 today and will get the other 3 next week.   Will save $ 275 by going to the second one, pays to shop around.  :)