What is a Wheel?
Wheels offer vehicles with a balanced platform on which to mount tires. They are made of a sturdy material ranging from magnesium to steel, and are well suited to take many impacts from the road over their service life. The attach to the vehicle via the wheel hub lug studs or wheel bolts, and provide a solid surface that may be reliably acted upon by acceleration and braking force.
What are Wheels for?
Of course, wheels carry the weight of the vehicle, offer a mounting point for the tires, and keep the wheel and tire assembly in proper balance, but they are also indirectly responsible for acceleration and braking of the vehicle. As the drive axles turn the wheel hubs, the wheels are forced to turn because the lug studs or wheel bolts are mounted directly to the hub. This means the wheel must be of considerably strong design in order to transfer full power of the engine to the tire, and ultimately the road. Also, the brake rotors or brake drums are secured to the wheel hub by clamping force from the wheel. This means that when the brakes are applied, the extreme heat from the brakes and the extreme pressure of slowing the weight of a vehicle is placed directly on the wheel. Finally, the wheels must be strong enough to withstand lateral pressures which are greater than the weight of the vehicle, and still maintain their shape.For maintaining balance, after the tires are mounted to the wheel, the wheels are balanced by strategically placing weights on the wheel to ensure the wheel is statically and dynamically balanced.
What are the symptoms of a bad Wheel?
Wheels offer very few symptoms, but these symptoms should never be ignored. Visible cracks on the wheels may appear, especially after hitting a large bump, Most often, this will also be accompanied by loss of air from the tire on that wheel. Also, vibration in the steering wheel is very common when the tire is out of balance, and improper wheel nuts or bolts can cause creaking and popping noises to develop. Again, there are very few symptoms, but they should not be ignored.
Can I drive with a bad Wheel?
A damaged wheel cannot wait. Once a wheel is bent, cracked, or otherwise unsuitable for driving, it has become a safety risk and should be replaced. In the case of creaking and popping from the wheel nuts or wheel bolts, these fasteners should also be replaced immediately, as the wheel is being allowed to shift on the wheel hub. Finally, a wheel in need of balancing is not a safety hazard, but balancing will make the drive much more comfortable.
How often do Wheels need replacement?
Wheels are replaced for two reasons: damage and cosmetic appeal. There is no other reason to replace a wheel, and neither of these two purposes are dependent on mileage. In general, wheels will be replaced after a collision or hitting a pothole. In order to avoid premature replacement, avoid driving at speeds which inhibit reaction time, and avoid potholes when possible.
How are Wheel issues diagnosed?
When a wheel is suspected of failure, the damage is normally obvious and perceptible to the human eye. In some cases, the wheel may have a crack that allows the wheel to leak, and this will be diagnosed by spraying a solution on the wheel and watching for bubbles, or magnafluxing the wheel. Other times, the wheel may look straight and true, but will not be able to be balanced on a high speed or road force balancing machine.
How are Wheels replaced?
Replacing a wheel requires the vehicle to be lifted and the wheel removed from the vehicle by removing the wheel nuts or bolts. Once removed, the tire valve stem schrader valve is removed to deflate the tire. Then, the tire will be crushed on both sides to break the seal between the tire and wheel, and a tire mounting machine will be used to remove the lubricated tire while rotating the wheel. The new wheel is lubricated as well, and the new tire is pushed on by hand, then the other side is rolled onto the wheel. High pressure air is blown into the tire before a new schrader valve is installed into the new valve stem, and the tire is aired up to specification. Finally, the wheel and tire assembly will be balanced, mounted, torqued to specifications, and the vehicle will be test driven.
RepairPal Recommendations for Wheel issues
We recommend contacting a professional when considering replacing tires with a larger size. Many tire and wheel combinations can be put together to ensure the circumference of the tire is the same as factory, but mounting larger or smaller tires will result in improper speedometer readings. Modification to the transmission speedometer gear drive or software may be necessary to accommodate wheel size changes.
What to look out for when dealing with Wheel issues
Oversized and custom wheels may require a custom wheel shop to remove tires, mount tires, or balance. This is because typical equipment is only meant to service factory sized wheels, which typically stops at 24-26 inches in diameter. Two and three piece wheels can be dangerous to service, and many facilities will refuse to replace tires or balance them.
Can I replace the Wheel myself?
Wheel replacement is easy, but putting a tire on a wheel requires a tire mounting machine. When replacing a wheel with a tire pre-installed, ensure the lug nuts or wheel bolts are proper for that wheel and vehicle, and that the wheel bolt pattern is correct to the pattern on the wheel hub. Lastly, lifting and supporting the vehicle, even if brief, should be done with a proper jack and jack stand.
