Pickup Rim

Dachshund · Jan 11, 2015

I have a rim on the truck that is cracked between two lug holes. I have welded tractor tire rims several times. Since pickup rims are thinner, is it a good idea to weld it, or should I just toss it? This is on the back of an F-350 dually that is use to haul.

Yes, I know about "Pyrolosis"......

rustyfarmall · Jan 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:19:04 01/11/15) I have a rim on the truck that is cracked between two lug holes. I have welded tractor tire rims several times. Since pickup rims are thinner, is it a good idea to weld it, or should I just toss it? This is on the back of an F-350 dually that is use to haul.

Yes, I know about "Pyrolosis"......

Toss it. If you weld it, and it eventually lets go, it will take a whole lot of other expensive stuff with it.

jlewis457 · Jan 11, 2015

If you weld it and it lets go no insurance company will stand behind any damage you do to anyone or anything, it is not worth it to chance it just my 2 cents go to a junk yard and get annother
John

jimg.allentown · Jan 11, 2015

If that wheel lets go, it will most likely give some kind of warning - like a vibration or a visual clue. After all, how was the existing crack detected???
As to the insurance, that seems to be the cry that goes up every time one YTer does something that another YTer does not approve of. I have yet to see an insurance company out there examining a wheel failure for "unauthorized" welds. Most wheel centers on steel wheels are welded to the rim from the factory. Are those welds also not covered by insurance?
For that matter, since when is it up to the posters here to say what is or is not covered by insurance? How would anybody know what kind of insurance I have? Or what my policy may cover?
Just my humble opinion:
Insurance on a motor vehicle is primarily intended to protect the general public from my mistakes or plain stupidity. That includes running through a stop sign, driving too fast, or welding a wheel.
Also my humble opinion:
Insurance comments have no place on this forum. It is not for me or anybody else to judge what another poster's insurance will cover. That is up to his insurance company.
Rant concluded........

jimg.allentown · Jan 11, 2015

I would say that if the wheel cracked once, it shows a sign of weakness, and should be replaced. Welding might fix the crack for the time being, but the overall structure of the wheel may be compromised. I would replace it.

oldtanker · Jan 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:24:58 01/11/15) If that wheel lets go, it will most likely give some kind of warning - like a vibration or a visual clue. After all, how was the existing crack detected???
As to the insurance, that seems to be the cry that goes up every time one YTer does something that another YTer does not approve of. I have yet to see an insurance company out there examining a wheel failure for "unauthorized" welds. Most wheel centers on steel wheels are welded to the rim from the factory. Are those welds also not covered by insurance?
For that matter, since when is it up to the posters here to say what is or is not covered by insurance? How would anybody know what kind of insurance I have? Or what my policy may cover?
Just my humble opinion:
Insurance on a motor vehicle is primarily intended to protect the general public from my mistakes or plain stupidity. That includes running through a stop sign, driving too fast, or welding a wheel.
Also my humble opinion:
Insurance comments have no place on this forum. It is not for me or anybody else to judge what another poster's insurance will cover. That is up to his insurance company.
Rant concluded........

It's simple. Read the policy. If it doesn't have a specific exclusion it's covered. It's that simple. In the case of a home weld job on the rim the exclusion would be broader than just saying something about welding a rim. It would be something about "repairs not in compliance with manufacturers procedures that result in damage to the insured vehicle or 2nd party vehicles or property".

So what this really breaks down to is if that rim lets go after a home weld repair is personal liability. That rim fails and the tire goes through someone's windshield and seriously injures or kills someone you are liable. Anything insurance doesn't cover or exceeds the limits of the policy you are liable for. Most wrongful death lawsuits far exceed the limits on an auto policy.

Plus a local DA could decide to pursue charges like negligent homicide.

So what are you willing to risk? A home repair could hold forever or it could weaken the rim and cause a failure at highway speeds.

As far as insurance talk on here, everyone has to have insurance. Home, health, life, auto, farm and so on. So having a discussion is relevant to all of our daily lives. As a former licensed by MN, independent adjuster it's important. It protects us from a loss that can be devastating without it.

Rick

David G · Jan 11, 2015

I think there is a big difference between repairing a rim on a low speed vehicle or trailer versus one being on the highway. I would not want to have that on my vehicle, regardless of the insurance.

37chief · Jan 11, 2015

Do you have a spare tire and rim? If not it's time to get one. Use the cracked rim as the spare. Stan

gene bender · Jan 11, 2015

great post and i agree

notjustair · Jan 11, 2015

Weld it and rotate it to the spare. No way I would use it daily, but if it meant getting the last two miles in a blizzard I would relent.

David G · Jan 11, 2015

I would agree with that.

Greg_Ky · Jan 11, 2015

Poke the link below, nice little video on welding rims.
Poke here

old · Jan 11, 2015

Replace it before it causes an accident. If a dually that should be a common 8 hole rim

bobs old iron · Jan 11, 2015

look on local c-list, type up rims in auto parts, a lot of aftermarket and take off out there to get a replacement just as cheep as going to dealer/tire stores for another one.. as other posted, to repair only delays the worst to came.. my opnion

wisbaker · Jan 11, 2015

How would you feel if someone welded up a rim and was running down the road, it let go and the resulting carnage came through a windshield and killed you, your wife or one of your kids?

If you have a spare tire you can prevent this from happening for very little money. Think about it that way and all of a sudden the price of a used rim from a salvage yard or a new aftermarket rim seems pretty cheap doesn't it?

Look at it another way, if it comes apart while your driving but doesn't hurt anyone in the initial event how are you going to feel about having to learn how to drive a 3 wheel pick-up? Before the dust settles I'll guarantee that used or new aftermarket rim will again seem like a real deal.

GeneMO · Jan 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:24:58 01/11/15) If that wheel lets go, it will most likely give some kind of warning - like a vibration or a visual clue. After all, how was the existing crack detected???
As to the insurance, that seems to be the cry that goes up every time one YTer does something that another YTer does not approve of. I have yet to see an insurance company out there examining a wheel failure for "unauthorized" welds. Most wheel centers on steel wheels are welded to the rim from the factory. Are those welds also not covered by insurance?
For that matter, since when is it up to the posters here to say what is or is not covered by insurance? How would anybody know what kind of insurance I have? Or what my policy may cover?
Just my humble opinion:
Insurance on a motor vehicle is primarily intended to protect the general public from my mistakes or plain stupidity. That includes running through a stop sign, driving too fast, or welding a wheel.
Also my humble opinion:
Insurance comments have no place on this forum. It is not for me or anybody else to judge what another poster's insurance will cover. That is up to his insurance company.
Rant concluded........

For 15 years I answered to the Director of Underwriting for a major ins. company. I remember one of the first things he told me. "Insurance covers stupidity"

Gene

Bob · Jan 11, 2015

I would be concerned about the studs on either side of the crack, as well, as they have probably flexed thousands of times and may be cracked, as well.

Dachshund · Jan 11, 2015

Ok guys! I had been planning on using the welded one as a spare while I look for another rim. I will replace all of the studs, too - figured on doing that anyhow. Thanks for the info!

jimg.allentown · Jan 11, 2015

My comment about insurance was pointed at the self-appointed "insurance police" that pull that tired expression out of their hats every time they do not approve of a repair or other activity. Tired of reading "your insurance won't cover that" remarks. That is between the original poster and his/her insurance company, and not for anybody else to say. And, that is my NOT SO HUMBLE opinion!

BANDITFARMER · Jan 11, 2015

If your just going to use it on the farm and not on the road, Then weld it. That being said if the truck is going on the road then IN NO UNSERTIN TERM AND BY NO MEANS ARE YOU TO WELD IT! You have an wreck because of that wheel or cause injury to someone YOU have had it! They will take everything you own and then some! $25 to $50 for a wheel is cheaper than your or some ones life! If your cracking offset wheels between the lugs your over loading the truck no 2 ways about it. Do yourself a favor and TOSS THE WHEEL! I would take a close look at your other wheels for cracks because if there is one there is more than likely another one as well and check the hubs and lugs and studs. Bandit

Dachshund · Jan 12, 2015

Actually.....no....this one cracked because the rim was installed wrong! The "nipple" on the inner rim wasn't in the hole on the outer rim. Drove it for a couple days before it was noticed.

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