Split rims and general wheel safety

[XtrapepperoniartX]

A friend recently brought to my attention that some buses have split rims. Would anybody be able to tell me if a 1966 model 01 comes with these?

And if so, I have heard they can be dangerous if put on wrong. Are problems with these common and should they be replaced with newer rims?

[rusty]

I don't think that Eagle used split rims in 66 but I could be wrong.  Yes split rims are dangerous do not attempt to work on them without a proper cage. I would not touch them. The best thing to do is replace them and have it done by someone that knows what they are doing.

Side story when I was a kid my grandfather and I were come back from the elevator with a load of grain when a split rim let go. It was the left outside dual. The rim went across the road and about an other 30 feet and blew the garage door off a shop. Luckily no one got hurt. Glad the shop door was closed.
wayne

[beltguy]

As a related issue I thought that I should mention the need to check your wheels for any signs pending failures.  Both steel and aluminum wheels have either failed or showed signs of cracking.  There is a thread on this forum (Link) that discusses the problem a bit and shows a very troubling photo of a failed wheel.

Jim

[davida]

You’re right about that Jim. I found a crack on my rim last summer after I had a blowout. I promptly  had the wheel replaced. 
David

[beltguy]

David, thanks for the picture.  I think that is an aluminum wheel.  My limited experience with aluminum wheel is that they generally crack between the mounting holes.

The crack in your photo starts at the tapered hole of a budd type wheel.  The hoop stress caused by the taper can be very high and can eventually lead to cracking - both steel and aluminum.  As we all know, tire shops can really abuse the tightening process and this accelerates the cracking.

I suspect the hub piloted wheel design came about because of this problem.

Some folks have converted their Eagles to hub piloted, but I am not sure what all is involved.

Jim

[davida]

Yes, it is aluminum.  It's been on there for 20 years.  I got $40 for it at the salvage yard.  
We have to be diligent in our safety inspections.
David

[beltguy]

This thread has morphed into a discussion of wheel safety and that is a good thing.  I am going to change the title to reflect the change and so that it will appear in a search.

Above I posted a link to another discussion of wheel safety.  I think the link got messed up but seems to be OK now.  I am posting the wheel failure picture from that thread here.

Jim