Look at the stud holes
Most wheel inspections focus on the rim: the flange, the bead seat, the outside face. The holes the studs pass through deserve as much attention, because they record whether the wheel has ever run loose.
A wheel that is properly clamped never moves against the hub. A wheel that has lost clamping force, even for a short time, shifts slightly with every turn. The studs then work against the edges of the holes, and over many miles the holes wear out of round. They become slightly oval, or the seat where the nut sits becomes damaged.
What it tells you
Elongated or damaged stud holes mean the wheel cannot be clamped properly any more. However good the rest of the wheel looks, it will tend to work loose again. That is a wheel that is usually finished rather than refurbished.
The holes also tell you something about the unit. A wheel with worn holes ran loose at some point. It is worth asking why: nuts not rechecked after a change, the wrong nuts, paint on the clamping faces, or a hub problem. Fixing the wheel without finding the cause leaves the next wheel exposed to the same thing.
Signs to look for between inspections
- Rust streaks running outward from the stud holes.
- Shiny wear marks around the holes or on the hub face.
- Nuts that turn when checked with a wrench.
Any of those is worth a closer look before the wheel goes back into service.
What refurbishing restores
The national wheel refurbishing page covers the process. The inspection comes first and decides whether the wheel can be refurbished at all.
A crack ends the wheel and it is replaced.
A vibration that outlives a balance is often a wheel problem, and equipment rims from OTR work can be assessed here too.
Other stores
North Las Vegas and Phoenix Commercial & Consumer also refurbish wheels.
About this store
The Kingman store runs six services and is managed by Kevin White.
See the national wheel refurbishing page for all 42 locations.