Hi,

I'm hoping to take the toaster in for new tires llater this week. I'm bracing myself for the cost of tires and especially the split rim issue.

any idea of what to use if they want to replace my old split rims? is there a standard truck wheel that can easily obtained from used/salvage yards?

stay tuned for some pics of the toaster post-polish. I can see a clear reflection of myself on it now; one side only so far.

paul schuster

The wheels are standard 8 bolt chevy.

Ebay has steel rims for about 80.00 plus shipping. If you search this site you should find an answer to one of my questions about wheels where a member pointed me to a place that sells used ALCOA wheels.

Timothy

Any good junk yard will have them for about $30. ech.

Be very careful buying wheel rims for your Barth. I have a 1973 and it came with the split rims all around. Nobody it seems wants to deal with them so I was forced to upgrade also.
Here is what I found out.
During 1973 0r 74 Chev must have changed the wheel bolts from a 1/2 inch or so to almost 5/8 inch. I purchased some good used wheels but when I went to install them I needed to use tapered nuts for the front because the holes for the wheel bolts were too big .... possibly allowing bolt shear to happen.
I never did replace the back ones yet as I have not come up with a solution for the duels.
Junk yards do have the rare wheel you want that is not in split rim form however most require a tube.
I would be interested to know what you or anyone else can come up with on this problem but don't buy anything until you measure the wheel bolts.
George

George:

I have a 1973 and did not know about the bolt size problem, Thank you.

By the way I still have the split rims on my Barth, I found a place that would work on them, I know if I get a flat it may not be a good deal but ..... drive and pray.

Timothy

[This message has been edited by timnlana (edited October 05, 2004).]

Another consideration: Many vehicles have a short cylindrical projection on the hub that fits in the center hole of the wheel. This supports the weight and leaves the studs to deal with torque forces from acceleration and braking.

I called the local tire shop that was recommended by the rv repair shop.

they will work w/ the split rims and new tires are $75 w/ just $15 for install.

paul schuster

I got hit for $10.00 for each tube after install, you may wish to ask up front.

The price sounds very good.

Timothy

Bill H and others ...
The hub on the front was the only thing that I thought would allow me to get away with the tapered nuts on the front wheels. I could also get away with the same idea on the outside rears but I am convinced that the inside rears could move around as there is a full 2mm space between the wheel studs and the wheel rim hole.
I wonder if a machine shop could make up a wheel nut that was tapered with a bushing at the end?
Ideas?
George

total bill was $299 w/ tax

that included two new duo ply and one new radial tire (both radials are up front).

also moved one of the old wheels onto my spare rim. now I've got a spare.

that was the best $300 I've spent so far. really drove straighter, smoother and quieter

quote:

Originally posted by timnlana:
The wheels are standard 8 bolt chevy.

Ebay has steel rims for about 80.00 plus shipping. If you search this site you should find an answer to one of my questions about wheels where a member pointed me to a place that sells used ALCOA wheels.

Timothy

I am buying a 1972 Barth with "split rims" all around. Where is the best place to buy replacement rims, so as to avoid the problems discussed here? I read the above remarks, but I'm wondering if there is a "spec" that I need to look for. Are the 1972 rims the same as early 1973 rims? Thanks! Tim

quote:

Originally posted by timnlana:
The wheels are standard 8 bolt chevy.

Ebay has steel rims for about 80.00 plus shipping. If you search this site you should find an answer to one of my questions about wheels where a member pointed me to a place that sells used ALCOA wheels.

Timothy

Timothy - Is this "standard 8 bolt Chevy" wheel design good for a 1972 Barth? Does anyone know? Thanks to everyone in advance for your patience.
Tim

You'll need to describe the pattern so you can match up the mounts. My SOB, a 24' Class C on an '88 G-30 chassis, had the standard GM wheels.

They were (are since I still have 'em)

8.00x16.5
8 (holes)x 5/8" on 6.5" centers
hub bore - 4-9/16"

Several of them were warped. I searched for several weeks for new or used aftermarket or OEM replacements. None was available, unless I with Alcoas.

I finally replaced them with new, contemporary, 7x16" steel wheels. Because the bore was oversize for the hub, I had collars machined to match them up ($40 each). What irked me was that I had just replaced the rear tires, so I got to buy 7 new wheels and tires.

If you have wheels that match the above 8.00x16.5" specs, I still have 7 wheels of which 4 should be good, and 4 new tires with 2500 miles on one pair and 3000 on the other. I'll make you a deal if you want 'em and can use 'em.

My research was sketchy, but from all I could gather, these original wheels were designed to be hub-centric, not bolt-centric, meaning that the vehicle weight has to be supported by the hub, not the studs, hence the adaptors.

However, in the long run, you're better off IMHO to bite the bullet and get new wheels, tires, and adaptors if you have 8.00x16.5s, because while there are decent tires available, wheels are not.

Tried to search for "used ALCOA wheels"

with no results.....

any ideas?

They're pretty hard to find used, but this is one source.