Try to decide on new wheels Steel v Aluminum

[belfert]

I had a steel wheel crack where the wheel was welded together under the tire.  The crack was causing my new tire to leak down overnight.  It took several trips back to the tire dealer before they found the problem.

[Nineforever]

Good quality steel wheels maintained are the way to go fancy inserts are okay as long as your stud wheel nuts are not hidden   ,,,, Aluminum stud pilot wheels can be trouble be there done that .

[chessie4905]

   I've wondered about chrome plated steel wheels. Anyone done that?

[luvrbus]

They say the tire bead won't seat on on chrome plated wheels I read an article on that 20 years ago in a truckers magazine, aluminum wheels are the way to go I saw only a few with center ripped out and have saw stacks of the steel wheels with the center gone FWIW

[trucktramp]

I can tell you first hand that the centers break out.  I was hit by one from another truck going the opposite direction once.  It was not pretty.  I also had one come off a trailer coming out of New Jersey and that one nearly hit a Buster Brown (UPS) truck.  Never did find that tire.  My boss was mad because he had to replace the tire.  He wanted me to pay for it.

[luvrbus]

Never said the centers didn't break on aluminum wheels,I have a friend in the heavy haul business I mean heavy 100 tons + he said the aluminum wheels work better for him not for weight but endurance so I don't know as I ran aluminum wheels all the way around on my haul truck (8 axles) not for the weight it wasn't important as we were all ways a permit load to begin with over weight and over width

[TomC]

The only real disadvantage to aluminum wheels is that if you kiss a curb, you can crack them (don't ask how I know). Steel wheels can bend. You can pound back a steel wheel if you bend it-been there done that with a big sledge. But-personally, all my trucks and bus have aluminum. Like the look and the vehicle does ride better without the additional unsprung weight of steel wheels. Good Luck, TomC

[Van]

To each his own, some prefer the look of the steely wheels and some the alum ones. Since installing our Alcoa's we have received many compliments on them. We waited to get them til it was time to get new rubber, haven't noticed any ride difference yet since our bus rides on a cloud as it is   The shine of the alum is what really turns on the curb appeal and charm.  

[luvrbus]

I don't believe you can even order a Prevost bus with steel wheels I notice even the dogs have aluminum wheels, aluminum wheels are standard issue on the Prevost and have been for years 

[CrabbyMilton]

According to the spec sheets, the PREVOST H and PREVOST X list steel wheels as standard equipment for seated coaches but aluminum is standard on conversions shells.

[luvrbus]

That well could I never read the specs or pay much attention to seated coaches,I just walked by a Setra and Prevost one time in Needles and noticed the aluminum wheels on a dog never saw it before with that cheap outfit 

[CrabbyMilton]

It would be neat if those old DAYTON style wheels(spoke with demountable rim) were still offered. They never as far as I could tell were available on North American transit and over the road buses but were very popular on skookies until about the late 90's to early '00's and then steel disc and aluminum were and are the choices. With good reasons they stopped offering them but to imagine a MCI or PREVOST with those wheels would be interesting. Wheel covers could be used to cover up what many deemed ugly as far as wheels were concerned.

[Connel]

Am parting out my 05 Eagle. Replaced all the studs on my hubs but can not remember where they were purchased. Have the lug nuts you need and also have nine 24.5 alum wheels available.
papaseagle at g mail dot com

[rusty]

Connel, Does that 05 have a control valve and a slave cylinder on the clutch system. If so I am interested in those parts.

Wayne

303-591-0372

[shelled]

   I've wondered about chrome plated steel wheels. Anyone done that?

from Wikipedia :

"Hydrogen embrittlement can occur during various manufacturing operations or operational use - anywhere that the metal comes into contact with atomic or molecular hydrogen. Processes that can lead to this include cathodic protection, phosphating, pickling, and electroplating."

Chrome plating is done by electroplating.  If I remember correctly, unless special processing is done - as in OEM production - chrome plating structurally weakens wheels.

YMMV

edward