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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Cecil The Diesel on June 29, 2013, 07:23:47 AM

Title: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: Cecil The Diesel on June 29, 2013, 07:23:47 AM
Hey guys and gals I want to upgrade my wheels on the MC9 to Alcoa's but what am I looking for? Do regular big truck wheels fit? are all the wheels the same? Will the Alcoa's just bolt on in place of my steel wheels or is there adapters required?

My bus currently has 22.5's but is there any reason to change to a larger wheel?

Anything else I need to know?
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: Dave5Cs on June 29, 2013, 07:47:46 AM
Check out these websites to see what kind you may have Stud Pilot or Hub pilot wheels then go to Alcoa and see what they suggest. Some have to use adapters or different lugs and nuts. Remember each side is different threads. Look on the end of the studs it will have a L or a R for the thread pattern. sometimes they have been put on wrong or a stud has been inserted on the wrong side.

Dave5Cs

https://www.google.com/search?q=Hub+pilot+verses+stud+pilot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a (https://www.google.com/search?q=Hub+pilot+verses+stud+pilot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: Bill B /bus on June 29, 2013, 09:33:56 AM
Probably stud piloted wheels. You will have to replace the studs on the steer and tag drums and replace the inner wheel nuts on the drive. If you choose to use al wheels on the inner duals then those studs will have to be replaced.

Pretty much an all day sucker to change over. Plus I can almost, no absolutely promise, you will find at least one or two wheel bearings that have to be replaced.

So: cost of wheels - 6 at what $400-500 each
      cost of longer studs - 40 at $4?? each
      cost of new inner wheel nuts - 20 at $4 ?? each
      cost of new bearings and seals - ?? at $150-200 each

Not throw a wet blanket on pretty but could get expensive.

Good luck
Bill
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: wg4t50 on June 29, 2013, 11:18:12 AM
My experience on rear outer dual, make sure the aluminum rim has large holes, makes for easier checking & adjusting the inner air pressure, in the end, I only had aluminum on the front.
Dave M
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: TomC on June 29, 2013, 05:33:16 PM
Trucks use 22.5 x 8.25 rims. When they go to a heavy duty 12R or the 295/80 or 315/80, then trucks use 22.5 x 9.00 rims. Unless you weigh more then 14,000lbs on the front, I'd stay with 22.5 x 8.25 rims. . Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: flynbanjo on June 29, 2013, 07:22:06 PM
Our MC9 came from the previous owner with 22.5 X 8.25 steel wheels.  When I replaced them with aluminum I kept with the same size and they have work out great for me.  About $3000.00 in the entire wheel change project. 
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: Cecil The Diesel on July 01, 2013, 11:11:24 AM
How do you tell the difference between hub, and stud piloted?

I've looked around at used wheels, and seen some as low as 100 bucks a piece. I'm fine with some scratches and such as long as nothing major.

Also about the inside rear wheels. I can run aluminum outers, and retain the steel inner for now?
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: TomC on July 01, 2013, 11:22:27 AM
Hub piloted wheels-the holes are just drilled holes since the hub is what centers the wheel. Stud piloted wheels will have a tapered hole where a tapered nut will center the wheel on the stud.

Hub piloted wheels on a 10 stud wheel use 10 flanged nuts. Stud piloted wheels (sometimes called a Budd wheel) on a 10 stud wheel use 10 inner nuts and 10 outer nuts per wheel on a dual setup. Good Luck, Tomc
Title: Re: Which Alcoa's for MC9?
Post by: Dave5Cs on July 01, 2013, 04:52:45 PM
The end of the Budd stud will be square.

Dave5Cs
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