Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 451
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From: Balfour
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I got some split rim wheels on my 4x4 I'm putting on the road soon, how dangerous are these thing? could a split fly off and kill me while I'm changing a tire? I don't like the sounds of these things... Is there any precautions I should take while removing these things to get some real rims on. Ive herd of up to 2 people getting whacked at once by these things and the local tire guy was almost killed when he was taking one off a vehicle once.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
Like most things, common sense and caution must prevail. Under normal conditions, they should perform nearly perfectly. Tire installers are at the greatest risk because if they don't get everything back together "properly" the thing could come apart when they are seating and airing the tire.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 205
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From: Silverdale WA
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I don't know how common it is for them to fly off, but I know a lot of places around me won't change tires on trucks that have them for that reason. Its a real pain in the butt for me - my truck has 'em and I desperately need new tires, we're gettin' seriously bald!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
They can kill you, especially during the inflation process. The problem is most tire stores do not have saftey cages where they can properly inflate a tire.
For any tire, especially split rims and tractor tires, it is a good idea to have a 25 foot length of coiled 1/4 air line attached to a snap-on chuck with the air gauge at the other end.
That way you can stand 25 feet away, in front or in back of the truck while you are inflating the tire without having your body in direct line of fire if the thing explodes. The truck is between you and the tire and if/when it explodes the most you will suffer is a fake heart attack
For any tire, especially split rims and tractor tires, it is a good idea to have a 25 foot length of coiled 1/4 air line attached to a snap-on chuck with the air gauge at the other end.
That way you can stand 25 feet away, in front or in back of the truck while you are inflating the tire without having your body in direct line of fire if the thing explodes. The truck is between you and the tire and if/when it explodes the most you will suffer is a fake heart attack
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I worked for Firestone for several years, and it was the policy at the time that split rims were NOT to be touched. None of the shops were equipped with safety cages, and besides that, nobody wanted to work with them.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 378
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Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
Rat
I have em on my truck and I cant wait to swap em out. They ride perfectly but with all the horror stories I hear about em, I think I am going to get some nice wagon wheels instead. I am not going to push my luck with these things LOL
regards
Ben
I have em on my truck and I cant wait to swap em out. They ride perfectly but with all the horror stories I hear about em, I think I am going to get some nice wagon wheels instead. I am not going to push my luck with these things LOL
regards
Ben
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Silverdale WA
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
Originally posted by bigric
I worked for Firestone for several years, and it was the policy at the time that split rims were NOT to be touched. None of the shops were equipped with safety cages, and besides that, nobody wanted to work with them.
I worked for Firestone for several years, and it was the policy at the time that split rims were NOT to be touched. None of the shops were equipped with safety cages, and besides that, nobody wanted to work with them.
There goes another one of my meager options. . .well, maybe, when did you work there? *sighs* ya know, I think I'm gonna start shopin' for new rims. Stock shmock, I'll go find him somethin' shiny and save myself the pain
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I spent a few years changing tires at a service station here in rural Iowa. I've seen and worked with almost every type of "split rim" wheels made. I've worked solid rings, split rings, and I've even worked with true split rims (suicide rims) - each half formed a wheel.
The station had a saftey cage, the fifteen foot hose with the locking coupler, and a cement wall to hide behind. We charged $25 minimum to fix a split, no matter what size. From pickups to front-end loaders, I've worked on them. I never had a problem with them, and none of my jobs ever came apart. It wasn't uncommon for me to let the air back out because I didn't like the way the ring was setting or some other odd thing, but I never had a problem with one after I fixed it.
Are they dangerous? If they're abused, rusted, or misunderstood and assembled wrong, they'll take your fingers, your arm, or your head clean off. No kidding.
If they're in good shape and the ring is seated in the rim properly, I wouldn't be afraid of them.
The station had a saftey cage, the fifteen foot hose with the locking coupler, and a cement wall to hide behind. We charged $25 minimum to fix a split, no matter what size. From pickups to front-end loaders, I've worked on them. I never had a problem with them, and none of my jobs ever came apart. It wasn't uncommon for me to let the air back out because I didn't like the way the ring was setting or some other odd thing, but I never had a problem with one after I fixed it.
Are they dangerous? If they're abused, rusted, or misunderstood and assembled wrong, they'll take your fingers, your arm, or your head clean off. No kidding.
If they're in good shape and the ring is seated in the rim properly, I wouldn't be afraid of them.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 27
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From: Redding, CT
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I replaced mine a couple of years back. Problem was there were limited options if I had a flat. Plus they were original on my 1969 and the rust, etc wasn't worth the risk.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I worked there from '96 to '98. It could have just been our district policy, and I'm sure that there are some Firestones in rural areas that service split rims, but the official district policy was NO.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Illinios
Exactly how dangerous are split rims???
I am currently in the Us army and almost everything we have that is "big" has splits on it. Are they dangerous? OMG Me and my budy were once airing up the tire while it was in the cage and we were about 15 ft back and it came apart. the ring lucky cought the edge of the tire cage and bent the 2 inch tubing that the cage was made from and finally found it's way out of the cage about 10 ft away from us. so are they dangerous yes. I hate doing tires on these things and I don't blame a single person for not wanting to work on them. the army after about 30 years now is finally starting to convert to bead locks. and yes the split ring was on the right way, the tire showed signs of a tear on the edge which is what we had come to the conclusion was the problem.
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STEVE
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