Posted by WOJ on July 31, 1999 at 14:24:56:
In Reply to: split rims posted by Brian in IN on July 30, 1999 at 19:39:16:
These are known as BUDD 5 degree rims
Budd Rims can be modified to accept a tubeless tire by taking out the center and then welding a NEW center from a modern rim in its place. I have used Ford and Chevy 16" rims for this operation. Budd rims have a problem at the point were the rim meets the center at the rivets. They start to pucker there as they are only held together by a rivet and not welded, and this is a bigger potential hazard of explosion than the ring. If the vehicle has had a lot of water, and mud contact the water stays behind this joint and rots away.
You can aslo move the center to accomadate wider tires although doing so places a different stress load on the front spindles than what it was designed for. Although I have done several rim modification for the railroad and on farm equipment with a minimal of spindle related problems.
When welding a NEW rim to the center alignment is crucial as the wobble will be noticiable and you will not be able to balance it out. Also if you do not get a tight weld you still may have to use a tube and flaps.
On tubes and flaps. There are 3 types of tubes available, one is a STANDARD tube which is for passenger car use and the other is a HEAVY TRUCK type, there also is a heavier one for tractor and earth moving equipment. Use the truck one for best results. The same grades are also found in flaps.
On balancing: a HUNTER on the car balancer is an excellent way to balance a tire because you balance the entire assembly on the car; tire, rim, and the brake drum. Although you CANNOT rotate tires balanced in this manner. These machines are inexpensive to buy as no one wants them becuase they do not know how to use them. I saw 3 at Carlisle for $50.00 each.