Aluminum wheels or stainless simulators?

OKIE9ERS · October 09, 2018, 02:45:32 PM

About to start replacing tires and wheels...thought sims would be a lot cheaper, but new alum x6 is 1380.00, new steel with sims 1140.00..
Not the savings I expected...any opinions on the simulators? I know the alum require some polishing, and my cost on them doesnt even count hub caps n nut covers...
Sims maintenance free pretty much??
Pros n cons?
Thanks

chessie4905 · October 09, 2018, 03:30:27 PM

I bought decent takeoffs and took them to a wheel polisher. Will install with new Michelins.
Still need to change studs and nuts. I don't mi d the expense for studs and nuts since all new with no stretched issues.

luvrbus · October 09, 2018, 03:35:03 PM

Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels

PP · October 09, 2018, 04:19:03 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 09, 2018, 03:35:03 PM
Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels

Glad you mentioned that Clifford. I don't think a lot of people realize they're not simply interchangeable.

OKIE9ERS · October 09, 2018, 04:25:48 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 09, 2018, 03:35:03 PM
Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels

Are those studs totally unique to MCI?
I have a few sources for studs wholesale unless they are ...
Agree with Chessie, thats money well spent

richard5933 · October 09, 2018, 04:31:16 PM

I thought real buses all had painted steel wheels?

sledhead · October 09, 2018, 04:34:47 PM

they did 40 years ago

chessie4905 · October 09, 2018, 04:46:43 PM

No Richard, just yours and school buses.

Lifes2short4nofun · October 09, 2018, 05:04:34 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on October 09, 2018, 04:31:16 PM
I thought real buses all had painted steel wheels?

I stayed with steel wheels

Sunchaser Art · October 09, 2018, 05:54:10 PM

I'm a big fan of aluminum wheels rather than simulators. . .in fact, I'd rather have painted steel wheels over simulators. The biggest reason is, although it's rather rare, I want to know when a wheel has developed a crack. Even though it's not a common occurrence, I really want to know before one of them passes me up!

lostagain · October 09, 2018, 05:57:23 PM

Aluminum wheels are better balanced than the steel ones that are welded.

Alum wheels are lighter.

They look better nowadays.

Simulators might look nice, but they cover up the nuts and hubs, so you cannot easily check them for a pre trip or on the road. Just the center hub cap on an aluminum wheel is easy enough to remove to check oil level.

JC

DoubleEagle · October 09, 2018, 06:01:45 PM

Aluminum wheels are preferable if you can afford the changeover, and you will be able to check for cracks more easily. The chances of getting cracks on aluminum wheels seems to be higher if they are over-torqued by zealous tire jockeys. 450 ft.lbs. is as far as I go on mine.

Scott & Heather · October 09, 2018, 06:45:17 PM

If you can fork over the money for the new studs go aluminum. But you need to determine if your wheels are stud or hub piloted first. You'll save weight on aluminum rims and and they are gorgeous.

luvrbus · October 09, 2018, 06:47:02 PM

Aluminum wheels are 1 piece were the steel are in 2 pieces weld together,what I like best about the Aluminum wheel is less transfer of road noise and they seem to reduce the road shock transfer,the polishing of Aluminum wheels I don't care for much,the hub and lug nut covers can be expensive for aluminum wheel can be pricey I bought T Kane covers for mine

I still have sticker shock

Boomer · October 09, 2018, 09:19:38 PM

Aw 'come on Cliff. We all know you swing through Danny's in Phoenix and get your wheels polished, lol.