Truck Driving Jobs

GMAN · #1 05-15-2010, 01:30 PM

A few weeks ago I had a tire blow off the rim on my step deck. It turned out that the rim was slightly bent along the edge. I had to replace the rim with a steel wheel since the garage only carried steel wheels. I have heard that aluminum wheels can be repaired or rebuilt, but have not found a source as yet. I was wondering if anyone has ever had one rebuilt and who might have done it? I would prefer to do that than buy a new aluminum wheel as long as it will hold up like new.

COLT · #2 05-15-2010, 02:03 PM

Petty sure it's junk, even the slightest imperfection, especially along the bead will make the rim junk.

Roadhog · #3 05-15-2010, 02:03 PM

I just googled the Knoxville area and found lots of shops that will repair wheels.
I forget where you live.

I'd fix this myself, if you were just up the street.
My sister owns a large machine shop. They are an Extrusion Tool shop.

You can heat these and straighten them, use a tig welder to add material if needed, then run them on a lathe to true them up. Take it over to the polisher, and make it look purdy.

COLT · #4 05-15-2010, 02:06 PM

It's aluminum hoggy

COLT · #5 05-15-2010, 02:14 PM

From Alcoa's site. They don't even repair them in Mexico man!

Quote:

SERIOUS RISKS FROM REPAIRING WHEELS AND RIMS FOR TRUCKS AND BUSES

Unlike processes used to increase the life of tires, wheels should never be repaired where repair and retreading are expected.
No wheel manufacturer, whether of steel, aluminum, or special band, recommends any kind of process of wheel repair for breakage, cracks, bulging, or ovalization.
This Bulletin was prepared by the Latin American Tire and Rim Association (ALAPA) of which Alcoa is a member. The purpose is to alert users to the dangers of this practice, which may lead to very serious or fatal accidents.

Alcoa Wheel Products: South America: Technical Data: Care and Maintenance: Repair

Roadhog · #6 05-15-2010, 02:34 PM

I'm just sayin'

It depends on the extent of the damage. But I hear you...most shops won't take on the liability.
Some shops do specialize in aluminum wheel repair and restoration.

From what GMAN describes, this is a slight bend in the bead. You don't want to see a crack, but this doesn't sound that messed up.

This is my sisters shop > Extrusion Tool Manufacturer and Design : MasterCraft Extrusion Tools

I've worked there off and on. Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

[YOUTUBE] <object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UPw-3e_pzqU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2 =0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UPw-3e_pzqU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2 =0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object> [/YOUTUBE]

Bragging rights...

They built the worlds largest seamless die.
It was for the Space Shuttle. See the photo > Extrusion Tools & Extrusion Dies : MasterCraft Extrusion Tools