Wheel replacements?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ugly Brute, Apr 22, 2020.

  1. Ugly Brute

    Ugly Brute Bobtail Member

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    My brother and I bought a cheaper truck and car hauler trailer recently and started our own company. Money has been not bad even though prices are down. Ah well.
    We want to replace our wheels as ours are starting to rust and look horrible. My question is what all do we need to buy to have all fresh wheel setups. Also not sure what kind of wheels I need to buy? Truck is a 2001 Volvo VNL single axle. So a 6 wheeler. I’m pretty new to all this as I was an industrial electrician for 10 years so appreciate a response.

    I understand we need to buy tires, wheels, hubs, hub seals, lug nuts to get it looking good but I’m sure there’s more to it than that.
     

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  3. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Why do you need to buy more than just tires.
    Maybe aluminum wheels, to have that shiny look. I think painted steel wheels look good too.

    Chrome or plastic lug covers and hub caps.

    Why change the hubs, unless you have a mechanical reason, I wouldn't.
     
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  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    If you live in a major metro area, there will be truck salvage yards. You can buy nice looking aluminum wheels for cheaper than what you would pay for new steel wheels. Just make sure of the steers. Some steers are hubcentric, some are not.

    EDIT...just saw your pics. Your fronts are good. Just have them polished up. Since you have a single screw, just get 2 aluminum for the drive and put them on the outside.
     
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  5. Ugly Brute

    Ugly Brute Bobtail Member

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    For whatever reason I thought hubs get changed with wheels. Good to know

    I’ll be looking into the salvage yards. Thanks. How do I tell if the steers are hubcentric?
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    No reason to replace the hubs. They typically last the life of the axle housings (aka almost never need to be replaced).

    Unless the seals were leaking or bearings were loose I don't really see a reason to replace the seals or bearings.

    Unless the lug nuts or wheel studs are damaged, they're fine.

    Myself I'd just pull the steer tires/rims and polish that aluminum up nice and pretty, then put some shiney wheel nut covers and hub covers on. As for the back, I'd do as @TripleSix suggested and just buy 2 polished rims for the outside tires, buy some corrosion discs to put between the 2 rims (steel + alumimum = galvanic corrosion) and then add the chrome caps and wheel nut covers.
     
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  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Your steers are aluminum. They will polish up and shine like new money.
     
  8. Ugly Brute

    Ugly Brute Bobtail Member

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    Appreciate the advice! Gonna start looking into just the two outside wheels and covers. Just like that we got ourselves a weekend project
     
  9. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'd be wary of used rims. If you want it easy, buy the rear 2 already polished (you can buy them polished both sides or just the side that's showing).

    Machine finish aluminum rims look decent when new but don't have a mirror-like finish. You'd need a couple hours worth of sanding and polishing to bring the shine out. Machine finished rims are a bit cheaper though.
     
  10. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Probably need longer studs to put aluminum on the rear
     
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  11. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    From the looks of the rear wheel, you might think about changing those gaskets. They look like they've been leaking. I wouldn't put covers on the steer hubs, those are aluminum and will polish up the same as the wheels with the benefit of your being more likely to check the oil level if there's nothing to remove in order to do it.
     
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