Alloy Wheels FAQs
Where is the tire industry moving towards?
Michelin is currently developing a set of airless tires that rely on the structural capacity of hard plastic rubber composites. These tires look similar to modern wheels, except instead of air and rubber in between the outer rim of the tire which touches the pavement or other surface, and the inner rim which touches the wheel, the tire is only thin pylons of plastic. There is a simple YouTube video on Michelin’s development in this area, and preliminary reports claim that this high profile, high strength, highly resilient material will be commercially available in 10 or 15 years. Other companies have explored tire and wheel production as entirely rubber or steel, with tracks. Tanks utilize multi ton heavy duty tracks to traverse all sorts of difficult terrain easily. Armored cars that are in charge or cash collections will typically utilize solid rubber composites so that the vehicles tires cannot be blown out. Advancements in these areas are guaranteed to occur in line with defense department contracts and military grade innovations which might work their way down to the normal securities market.
What are DUBs?
Colloquially, Dubs are a reference to wheels that are greater than or equal to 20 inches in size. DUBS can also refer to a style of wheels with interlocking parts that can move independent of the actual wheel. Typically in the center of the wheel, there is a holding mechanism so that another plate can be attached. The other plate is set inside the wheel with its own track around the inner rim so that it can spin within that space. With the advancements in ball bearing technology and reduced friction greases, the dubs start to move when the car decelerates or accelerates, and continue to move even when the car is stopped, giving it a cool perpetual motion look and feel. Because the extra plate is on the exterior of the original wheel, designs are incorporated which make shapes like opening and closing triangles or ovals when the DUBs are spinning, and make the wheels even more flashy, hip, and desirable. Generally, these tires are from a West Coast origin, but they can be found across the United States. These wheels have received a welcoming approach from pop culture in the form of publicity from music videos from hip hop and rap who invigorate their image with the stylish appeal of a sports car or sports utility vehicle. These spinning wheels are an image of cool and chill and continue to dominate the wheel industry.
What is the primary cause of wheel failure?Because of the difference in production methods, servicing, and usage the exact cause it typically unknown, but a variety of factors can influence and possibly accelerate the process of entropy on well functioning parts. If, in the process of service repair, a contaminant has made its way into the ball bearing housing near the axel, it could potentially fail. If in the process of cleaning the ball bearings you did not give the bearings enough time to dry from the cleaning solvent, and it has made its way into the shaft, then it could cause a failure. Also if there is either too much or too little grease, it can easily kibosh your project and your wheel. Also, if the wrong type of grease is used, it could dramatically alter the outcome of your next off road adventure or tour around town with an unfortunate breakdown that could be easily averted with the proper cleaning protocol.
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