Firestone Accu-forge wheels

[mrkane1952]

Mike:

This thread sent me to inspect mine, and I have a front wheel with an
apparent crack running out from a lug hole. (Is there a way to be
sure without dismounting the wheel and tire?) These are Firestone
Accu-Forge 120 psi 7000 lb. wheels, probably original to this '85 coach.

Would you please contact me (mrkane_at_isp_dot_com)?

Thanks--
M.R.Kane
1985 PT40
currently Sanger, TX




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
$150 bucks ea.
> MH

[bubblerboy64]

What would a person expect to pay for new Alcoa rims? Just for
future reference. I've tried to locate on line and have not been
able to do so. JEH
>
> Mike:
>
> This thread sent me to inspect mine, and I have a front wheel with
an
> apparent crack running out from a lug hole. (Is there a way to be
> sure without dismounting the wheel and tire?) These are Firestone
> Accu-Forge 120 psi 7000 lb. wheels, probably original to this '85
coach.
>
> Would you please contact me (mrkane_at_isp_dot_com)?
>
> Thanks--
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT40
> currently Sanger, TX
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> >
> > I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
> $150 bucks ea.
> > MH
>

[Pete Masterson]

All the tires on the axle with duals should be as nearly identical in
all aspects as they can be. In particular, the rolling diameter
should be as identical as is possible. Since it is unlikely that a 7"
and 8" wheel would allow the (appropriate) tires on them to have
_exactly_ the same rolling diameter then it is not advised. If the
rolling diameter is not identical, the smaller tire will not carry
its share of the weight and the larger tire sill be subject to early
failure -- and the smaller tire will be subject to 'scrubbing'
causing it to wear excessively.

While the difference across sides on the dual axle aren't as
critical, differences will cause the differential to work harder and
may cause excessive wear and/or potential differential failure. (I
had a differential failure with an automobile while on the SF Bay
Bridge. It was a terrifying situation and eventually a very expensive
repair. The failure in that case was due to a manufacturing defect
that was fortunately covered under warranty...)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Aug 21, 2007, at 11:05 PM, kingmtpg wrote:

> Is there any harm in mixing 7.5" with 8.25" if the tire width would
> be correct for the 8.25"? As long as the tires don't rub on the
> inside of the duals? Thanks again, Brad Bloxham 78 35FC
>

[mbulriss]

Yeah, Mike Hohnstein has real good prices on those wheels. If you
can see an obvious crack and it is building up dirt, it's cracked all
the way through. Common occurrence from them countryside burly tire
changers with 1,000+lb of torque 1" air guns cranked to the max.
Don't ask how I know!

Speaking of cracks however, a single small stress crack emanating
outward from a lug nut hole is not a major deal requiring immediate
fix. However, one (or more) that goes from a lug nut hole all the way
to the center flange, or one that goes from one lug hole to another
lug nut hole, well those are roadside events waiting to happen and
worthy of quickly fixing...

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Mininvan"
San Antonio, TX

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrkane1952" <mrkane@...> wrote:
>
> Mike:
>
> This thread sent me to inspect mine, and I have a front wheel with an
> apparent crack running out from a lug hole. (Is there a way to be
> sure without dismounting the wheel and tire?) These are Firestone
> Accu-Forge 120 psi 7000 lb. wheels, probably original to this '85
coach.
>
> Would you please contact me (mrkane_at_isp_dot_com)?
>
> Thanks--
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT40
> currently Sanger, TX
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> >
> > I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
> $150 bucks ea.
> > MH
>

[mbulriss]

Last *new* ones I bought 5-6 years ago were $220 each (before tax) as
I recall - on a friend of a friend deal......

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> What would a person expect to pay for new Alcoa rims? Just for
> future reference. I've tried to locate on line and have not been
> able to do so. JEH
> >
> > Mike:
> >
> > This thread sent me to inspect mine, and I have a front wheel with
> an
> > apparent crack running out from a lug hole. (Is there a way to be
> > sure without dismounting the wheel and tire?) These are Firestone
> > Accu-Forge 120 psi 7000 lb. wheels, probably original to this '85
> coach.
> >
> > Would you please contact me (mrkane_at_isp_dot_com)?
> >
> > Thanks--
> > M.R.Kane
> > 1985 PT40
> > currently Sanger, TX
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> > <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
> > $150 bucks ea.
> > > MH
> >
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

4 Alcoas 8.25 x 22.5 @ $150 ea. Good used polished on outside.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Harold Prescott
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:56 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Firestone Accu-forge wheels




> Even with UPS charges, the cost of Mr. Hohnstein's 8.25 Alcoa's is a
good way to go.

Mike, how many 8.25 rims do you have?
Are they polished inside or outside?

Running two different sizes next to one another isn't a good idea.
The height of both tires has to be the same, otherwise the taller will
be carrying the bulk of the weight. This will result in a blowout of
the taller of the two. Also, like Stephen says, they can't rub together.

Harold Prescott

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Yeah, I wouldn't normally mix and match them on the same axle,
> that's for sure - especially not mix and match on one side of the
> duals, unless absolutely needed to slowly limp a few miles to a tire
> store. The 8.25 rim is going to spread the tire sidewalls more and
> give you a slightly different overall tire profile. As Stephen said -
> heat buildup.
> Like I said, a pair on the front end gives you a much better driving
> experience over the 7.5 rims. Then you have two 7.5 spares for the
> broken ones in the back. In the event of a front tire emergency, you
> could put one of the mounted 7.5 spares up front to get into the next
> town to get another tire on the 8.25 rim.
>
> FWIW,
>
Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
> wrote:
> >
> > You have to have the correct spacing on the duals to prevent heat
> buildup
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "kingmtpg" wrote:
> > >
> > > Is there any harm in mixing 7.5" with 8.25" if the tire width would
> > > be correct for the 8.25"? As long as the tires don't rub on the
> > > inside of the duals? Thanks again, Brad Bloxham 78 35FC
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > That's a right good price Mike! However, Brad has a 1978 FC with
> > > the
> > > > Firestones so his current rims should only be 22.5 x 7.5" wide.
> > > Just
> > > > pointing that out since he just needs one, to match the
others, as I
> > > > understood his post. On the other hand 2 of those wider rims
in the
> > > > front really helps the steering out a bunch. And then you can
> > > switch
> > > > a front rim to the back. I made that change on my 83 PT40 and it
> > > > helped the 'wander' immensely.
> > > >
> > > > I need another Accuride also, but I think the 91 WB has 9" wide
> > > rims.
> > > > Anyone know if that's right?
> > > >
> > > > By the way, I visited the Accuride (successor to Firestone)
web site
> > > > one time and noticed that they had some recalls for splitting
> > > between
> > > > the lug holes, so I need to check that again.
> > > >
> > > > Mike Bulriss
> > > > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > > > San Antonio, TX
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> > > > <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
> > > > $150 bucks ea.
> > > > > MH
> > > > >

----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: Pete Masterson
> > > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:28 AM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Firestone Accu-forge wheels
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > You are correct that this should be attended to immediately.
> > > The
> > > > > crack-fault could lead to a catastrophic wheel failure. (You
> > > think a
> > > > > blowout can mess up body work -- you don't want to even think
> > > what a
> > > > > wheel failure might do.)
> > > > >
> > > > > Often the source of the cracks is over-torque of the lug nuts.
> > > > >
> > > > > You'll need to contact the wheel manufacturer to see if it is
> > > > > advisable to be repaired. It may depend on the actual size of
> > > the
> > > > > crack. Ask the manufacturer to refer you to a repair station,
> > > if it's
> > > > > possible to repair the crack. These are highly critical
safety
> > > issues
> > > > > and you don't want a sub-par repair that may quickly fail
again.
> > > > >
> > > > > Pete Masterson
> > > > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > > > > El Sobrante CA
> > > > > aeonix1@
> > > > >
> > > > > On Aug 21, 2007, at 10:10 AM, kingmtpg wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > When I purchased my 78 35"FC it had a crack in one of the
> > > Firestone
> > > > > > Accu-forge wheels. The crack was from one of the lug bolt
> > > holes
> > > > to one
> > > > > > of the "Slot" holes. Now, 5 months later I see a tiny crack
> > > > radiating
> > > > > > outward in another lug bolt hole, no doubt heading for
> > > another of
> > > > > > the "slot" holes. Am I correct in thinking this should be
> > > dealt with
> > > > > > promptly? Can they be repaired? Is this a common problem
with
> > > > > > Firestone
> > > > > > Accu-forge wheels and if I replace it with an Alcoa,
will it
> > > mix and
> > > > > > match ok with the Firestones? Sorry to bother with so many
> > > > questions,
> > > > > > but your knowledge base is unsurpassed. Brad Bloxham 78 35FC
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Pete Masterson]

I have 8 ... and they're all on my coach.

I think there's crossed email headers. If I read the thread
correctly, Mike Hohmstein has the wheels, but the tread has lost his
email address.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Aug 22, 2007, at 8:29 AM, Harold Prescott wrote:

>
>> Pete,
> How many 8.25 Alcoa's do you have? Are they polished inside or
> outside.
>
> Before running a different sized rims together...I would think hard
> about these wheels of Mr. Masterson's! Even with UPS charges, the
> cost is right.
>
> Harold Prescott
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
>
>> I got a stash of polished 8.25" x 22.5 Alcoas polished and nice,
> $150 bucks ea.
>> MH
>

[mrkane1952]

Greetings All:

I've posted a picture of the questionable wheel in an album named
"Cracked Wheel." The "defect" is a little over 3.5 inches long, and
ends about 3 inches from the rim. Perhaps the group could take a look
and suggest whether replacement is needed.

I found a website with prices for a vendor in Dallas:
<http://www.hdpsales.com/alcoahub.htm>. Example prices run $300-$400
each for 22.5" x 8.25" wheels.

Are our wheels hub-centered? I'm also confused which is the "inside"
and "outside" of the wheel? The convex side is visible when mounted
on my steer axle, the concave side is visible on the tag and drive axles?

Is wheel testing available for aluminum like magnafluxing for steel?

Thanks--

M.R.Kane
1985 PT 40
Sanger, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Yeah, Mike Hohnstein has real good prices on those wheels. If you
> can see an obvious crack and it is building up dirt, it's cracked all
> the way through. Common occurrence from them countryside burly tire
> changers with 1,000+lb of torque 1" air guns cranked to the max.
> Don't ask how I know!
>
> Speaking of cracks however, a single small stress crack emanating
> outward from a lug nut hole is not a major deal requiring immediate
> fix. However, one (or more) that goes from a lug nut hole all the way
> to the center flange, or one that goes from one lug hole to another
> lug nut hole, well those are roadside events waiting to happen and
> worthy of quickly fixing...
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Mininvan"
> San Antonio, TX
>

[Don Bradner]

hdpsales is part of Southwest Wheel, mentioned in another post. Mine are
stud-piloted, not hub-piloted. The hdpsales site has a good explanation of the
difference at http://www.hdpsales.com/determine.htm

Front wheels are polished outside, duals are inside. My tags are inside, and
probably yours are as well.

I had a cracked left front when I bought it, found by the polisher most of us
employed at the Quartzsite rally. I ordered one from Soutwest/hdp and it was
$485.93 with 2-day air shipping. Don't have the invoice handy, but the 2-day air
was a significant amount.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

On 8/22/2007 at 10:09 PM mrkane1952 wrote:

>Greetings All:
>
>I've posted a picture of the questionable wheel in an album named
>"Cracked Wheel." The "defect" is a little over 3.5 inches long, and
>ends about 3 inches from the rim. Perhaps the group could take a look
>and suggest whether replacement is needed.
>
>I found a website with prices for a vendor in Dallas:
><http://www.hdpsales.com/alcoahub.htm>. Example prices run $300-$400
>each for 22.5" x 8.25" wheels.
>
>Are our wheels hub-centered? I'm also confused which is the "inside"
>and "outside" of the wheel? The convex side is visible when mounted
>on my steer axle, the concave side is visible on the tag and drive axles?
>
>Is wheel testing available for aluminum like magnafluxing for steel?
>
>Thanks--
>
>M.R.Kane
>1985 PT 40
>Sanger, TX

[bbwlwb88]

I recently had to replace a wheel which cracked due to a shop over
torquing the wheel. Their impact wrench was set at 1500 psi.
Fortunately for me the shop replaced the wheel. I retorqued all the
wheels myself using a Muntz Power Wrench. Not an easy job.

As to whether or not to replace a cracked wheel, just replace the
wheel asap for the safety and peace of mind. Keep the old wheel and
sell it to a scrap metal dealer.

Royal Washburn
97WL43


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrkane1952" <mrkane@...>
wrote:
>
> Greetings All:
>
> I've posted a picture of the questionable wheel in an album named
> "Cracked Wheel." The "defect" is a little over 3.5 inches long, and
> ends about 3 inches from the rim. Perhaps the group could take a
look
> and suggest whether replacement is needed.
>
> I found a website with prices for a vendor in Dallas:
> <http://www.hdpsales.com/alcoahub.htm>. Example prices run $300-
$400
> each for 22.5" x 8.25" wheels.
>
> Are our wheels hub-centered? I'm also confused which is
the "inside"
> and "outside" of the wheel? The convex side is visible when mounted
> on my steer axle, the concave side is visible on the tag and drive
axles?
>
> Is wheel testing available for aluminum like magnafluxing for
steel?
>
> Thanks--
>
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT 40
> Sanger, TX
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
wrote:
> >
> > Yeah, Mike Hohnstein has real good prices on those wheels. If
you
> > can see an obvious crack and it is building up dirt, it's cracked
all
> > the way through. Common occurrence from them countryside burly
tire
> > changers with 1,000+lb of torque 1" air guns cranked to the max.
> > Don't ask how I know!
> >
> > Speaking of cracks however, a single small stress crack emanating
> > outward from a lug nut hole is not a major deal requiring
immediate
> > fix. However, one (or more) that goes from a lug nut hole all
the way
> > to the center flange, or one that goes from one lug hole to
another
> > lug nut hole, well those are roadside events waiting to happen and
> > worthy of quickly fixing...
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Mininvan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>