Wheel Installation - Hub Piloted Wheels - Best Practices
There sure is lots of talk out there about how to properly install "Hub Piloted" wheels on your big rig. No gadget alone will solve the problem. Some of those will help cover up the mistakes made during installation but in order to be certain you need to have and follow set procedures to reduce wheel offs while producing a smooth ride and reducing the tire wear rate. I have complied a list of "to do" items here that should help. Always feel free to give me a call to discuss. Comments and suggestions are welcomed.
BTW: TAF Management, Inc is not affiliated
with any products mentioned
Purpose/Goal/Realities - 22 mm studs
- Reduce the likelihood of wheel/wheels separating from the vehicle
- Reduce costs by preserving fastening hardware (do not over torque)
- Reduce the expense of losing a tire and wheel assembly
- Create peace of mind
- Protect the public from a possible catastrophic accident - Any type of litigation settlement resulting from a fatal accident could devastate your company
Secondary Purpose/Goal/Realities
- Improve rideability by centering the wheel to the hub
- Increase tire mileage by reduced tire scuffing and wear
- Reduce your overall tire “cost of operation”
- Reduce overall “vehicle cost of operation”
- Consider using "Counteract Balancing Beads" or Equal Flexx Balancing Beads to properly balance the assembly for the life of the tire.
Installing Wheels – Best Practices
- Clean all loose dirt, debris, rust, corrosion, or loose paint from all mating surfaces
- Inspect all parts for damage
- Check mounting faces of wheels, hubs and drums
- Never apply more paint over existing paint for appearance purposes
- Only have wheels reconditioned by reputable dealers who monitor paint thickness
- Clean all studs with a wire brush. For convenience and speed you might want to consider using a "stud cleaning tool". For more information go to: Counteract Stud Cleaning Tool
- Rotate one of the hub’s pilot pads to the twelve o’clock position if you don't know where the high spot of the tire is located.
- Rotate the hub's pilot pads to the 10 and 12 o'clock position if you know were the high spot on the tire is located. Place high spot at the 12 o'clock position
- Lubricate the wheel pilots or hub pads
- To be certain that the wheel is centered to the bolt pattern you might want to consider using "bolt hole alignment sleeves". To learn more about these sleeves go to: Pilot Sleeve™ Advanced Wheel Centering Sleeves
- Make certain the brake drum (if applicable) is centered on hub drum pilots
- Place a drop of oil between the cap nut and washer - Very important!
- Place a drop of oil on the end of each bolt - Very important!
- Do not lubricate face of hub, wheel face or brake drum
- Tighten all nuts with no more than a 1/2 “ air gun using proper sequence
- Tighten each nut with a torque wrench to exactly 500 ft/lbs. using proper sequence
- Re-torque all nuts after 50-100 miles driven
- Create a stud replacement program – Stretched studs cause loose wheels!
For more information on procedures or required tools contact:
TAF Management, Inc
Call or Text Carl: 301-371-2680 or email;