2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3 cracked rims

[DSeamans]

Went to put new tires on today and 3 rims were cracked on the inside bead!#@$%! After just rebuilding the ft end and new shocks, again, I can't afford to upgrade to the 19. 5s. I've found some cool Dick Cepeks and Eagles and MB's for $100 -$145 each. Any experience with any of these? I know they all say LLT warranty but they usually aren't worth the paper they are printed on. My local store quit dealing american racing because they were having a lot of failures and they wouldn't back them up. I don't want to deal with that. I also have to have them this weekend cause I have to move the kid to college next weekend. Let me know of any good or bad experiences.



Thanks,

Dave



p. s. I almost puked when I saw one of the cracks. It was actually two cracks almost 1/8" apart with the piece missing. After the ft end rebuild 2 wks ago I ran it over 120mph "test driving" it. If that wheel had exploded at that speed?...

 

[SRath]

My truck has had a set of Eagle forged aluminum wheels since I bought it. It has spent most of the time since on square front tires (several sets) due to the crappy steering and suspension. The ONLY thing that has not succumbed to the constant shimmy, shake, and vibration is the wheels.

Forged wheels are very strong. Cast are not.

 

[WestTN]

Be aware that tire breaker machine machines are capable of breaking a rim.



My truck now has 146,000+ miles and has had only one set of tires installed since new. Sams club installled those. They are well trained in the proper use of the machines and are very careful to use proper air pressue on the tire breakers and torque wrenches on the lugn uts. They have rotated my tires several times and never had a problem. Be careful where you have tires installed or rotated.

 

[HBarlow]

A good friend of mine refers to tire installers at tire retail stores as "tire monkeys. " I agree with the application of that name.

How could you have driven your truck in to the tire store with rims cracked at the bead? Your tires are tubeless, right? A rim cracked at the bead would leak and deflate the tire.

I don't remember ever reading a report of broken or split rims on a Dodge here on the TDR forum. I would be very suspicious of the tire monkey(s) who dismounted your tires and "discovered" the bead cracks.

 

[DSeamans]

Rims

I was watching as they took the old ones off. Its a place I trust and isn't a Wal Mart or Farm and fleet or any place like that. The tires had been on for 50k miles. They do have the newest equipment and the bead breaker didnt come close to the rim. The cracks were old and corroded already. They said they have seen a few like this on both Dodge and GM. I called my buddy who is a GM mechanic and he confirmed GM's problem. He said on theirs the bead lip was actually wearing thin on the outside from the tire rubbing.



The cracks start at the outside of the bead lip and stop where the rim thickens for the rounded bead seat. One rim I was suprised was still holding as it had a bigger crack that that came about halfway down the bead on the tire. That was the first one off. After that I watched very close as the others came off. I wanted to make sure there was no way the machine did it. I used to mt/balance tires when I was in the Air Force as a side job. I'm not saying I know everything, but I am completely confident they didn't cause it.



Dave

 

[kenny61]

try getting a used set from ebay?

dodge ram rims, great deals on eBay Motors on eBay!

 

[WAckerman]

I was able to pick up a set from a local newpaper's online classifieds. I got 4 wheels, tires, caps and lugs for $200. The tires weren't in great shape, but they will get me through the winter.



Its worth a shot...

 

[DSeamans]

New wheels

I had to get some in a hurry. A tire store in the nearest real city had two I was interested in. They didn't have my first choice so they gave me my second choice at a discount - $75 ea. They look very cool and people I know said they are good at honoring their LLT. I couldn't go wrong at that price - even if they crap out in a couple years.



Dave

 

[dclassens]

I would be interested in the ONE good aluminium RIM. PM if you still have it.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the 2nd gen alloys are pretty bad about cracking... I'd upgrade to some 3rd gen take-offs

 

[odieub]

as stated the 2ng gen alloys are bad about cracking i have seen several myself i love the look of the 3rd gens i have on my truck now.