Brake/Rotor Heat Question

[telong]

I just had to replace the right front rim on my '98. 5 2500 because it was "bent" (I have the chrome plated ones). The problem is, I don't recall of hitting anything hard enough to bend a rim. I have BFG 265/75R16 All Terrain tires which will take a fair amount of punishment before bending a rim. What I'm wondering is if maybe the heat off of my front rotors may have warped the rim. Anybody have any thoughts on this? I just had my brakes redone last fall with a new set of Wagners. They work fine however the place where I had my brakes done couldn't spin the rotors because they didn't have a lathe that could handle them. Now, when my brakes get warm (after about 20 minutes of city driving) they squeal at low speeds. I know that I need to have my rotors spun down, I just hope it won't take them below tolerance. I seem to recall a while back about some kind of performance rotors available for the Rams, but I don't remember any specifics. If anyone has any info or has any experience with them, I'd sure like to know! As always, thanks in advance!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have never heard of an Aluminum rim bending from brake heat. If you have ever felt them even after heavy braking, they dont get that hot, nowhere near hot enough to cause problems. Mainly since they are bolted to the hubs with 8 lugs and they are pretty heavy aluminum, warping should be a non issue. I am curious to know what did bend your rim though. I agree, the tires are big enough that you would have to hit something HARD to damage one, hard enough that you would have rembered it.

 

[mikel]

I think the rims are chrome plated steel on the 98. 5, I know on my 99 that's what they are. I just got tires put on mine and the guy doing the balance work showed me that mine are bent (all 4) too. I plan to ignore it until funds allow me to get some kind of aftermarket aluminum rims.



I think I remember someone here talking about getting bent rims straight from dodge. I don't doubt that mine have been bent since day one, I am the only person who drives my truck and nothing has ever happened to it that would justify the rim bending on a truck that can carry as much as these can.



Good luck,

Mike