steel wheel vs aluminum wheel

[DrRoughneck]

On a medium sized pickup truck are factory aluminum wheels usually as strong as the steel spare wheel?
Do aluminum wheels have any technical advantage over steel (besides looks which is not technical)?

 

[chrisri]

IME, aluminium wheels are strong as steel wheels, but usually they are heavier. Unless we are discussing high end sports cars /wheels, aluminium wheels are GENERALLY heavier. OEM would be strong though.

 

[Kestas]

At our facility, we run a test called the Kerb crash test. This involves slamming a wheel corner mockup on an angle, simulating a car sliding into a curb. The guys who run the test tell me that the aluminum wheels they use for testing are sometimes stronger the their steel counterparts.

 

[DrRoughneck]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
At our facility, we run a test called the Kerb crash test. This involves slamming a wheel corner mockup on an angle, simulating a car sliding into a curb. The guys who run the test tell me that the aluminum wheels they use for testing are sometimes stronger the their steel counterparts.

Good to know thanks. Are these EOM aluminum wheels or aftermarket?
Also you said "sometimes". How about "usually"?

 

[Olas]

YGWYPF.

Expensive alloy wheels are lighter and stronger, cheap alloy wheels break easily. Steel can be hammered back into shape.

You pays yer money you takes yer choice.

 

[Popsy]

+1 Aluminium are generally heavier. I have interchangeable wheel sets for my two Fiats, and aluminium feel much heavier to manipulate.
Plus I broke many more aluminum wheels than steel over the years.

 

[Ramblejam]

Define "medium sized pickup truck" and I'll get you the data.

 

[chrisri]

Just one example: Sporting Mk1/GT Speedline 5.5x14-6.7 kg. Steelies from mk2, same size, 4.9 kg.

 

[Donald]

Steel are not a lot cheaper. I looked at winter rims for Subaru and the alloy rime were $80 vs steel at $70. Now rusty steel rims at junkyard are a different story.

 

[DrRoughneck]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Define "medium sized pickup truck" and I'll get you the data.

2013 Toyota Tacoma

 

[mazdamonky]

In my experience with foreign cars such as Mazda and Honda, Aluminum alloy wheels were moved to for their similar strength and lighter weights than steel wheels. I believe Aluminum is more prone to cracking, but steel wheels are WAY more prone to bending flexing and coming out of balance. I have hit large pot holes with both types of wheels on my Protege with low profile 195/50/16 tires. The steel wheel ended up with a dent in it after the first pot hole on the freeway. The aluminum wheels survived for 10 years worth of pot holes. It was a good thing the steel wheel was a temporary because the original tire had a hole in it. I have never seen an aluminum wheel heavier than its steel equivalent. But maybe this is because I am used to small lightweight cars. Now Chrome wheels are a completely different animal all together.

 

[Kawiguy454]

I got some Alloy 19'forged TSW NURBURGRING for a Pontiac G8. If you want very strong and light get FORGED wheels

http://fitment.tsw.com/alloy-wheels-fitm...ac&model=G8

 

[IndyIan]

For a truck like that with high profile "truck tires" it won't matter which you pick. Factory aluminum rims tend to be a little lighter than steel and also quite strong. If you are doing some hardcore off roading, steel maybe better as you have a better chance of beating a steel bead back into shape if you bend it enough to leak. Al may just crack or chip.
The local guys who oval race little cars have to run steel wheels on the outside of the car, Aluminum is OK on the inside but many guys run steel too as they'd rather a wheel bend than break with some contact.

 

[horse123]

Unless you have virtually limitless money or don't care to spend significant amounts on looks over functionality, go with the stock size steel wheels on a full sized suv/truck.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: horse123
Unless you have virtually limitless money or don't care to spend significant amounts on looks over functionality, go with the stock size steel wheels on a full sized suv/truck.


A lot of pickups (mine included) come with factory alloy wheels, not steel.

 

[krismoriah72]

Steel rusts, aluminum corrodes.. in aftermarket i prefer steel due to not having to buy special lug nuts.

I had two places tell me that they werent able to balance my steel wheels because they dont carry many of those weights anymore..not a major problem but i guess steel wheels arent as common anymore.

 

[George7941]

For my truck, the GM aluminium rims are significantly lighter than the GM steel rims. I have four of each. My winter tires are mounted on the steel rims.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: krismoriah72


I had two places tell me that they werent able to balance my steel wheels because they dont carry many of those weights anymore..not a major problem but i guess steel wheels arent as common anymore.



That's hooey-- there are about eight different weight crimp/corner profiles-- seven for aluminum and one for steel. They could have put sticky weights on the inside or used a bunch of 1/2 oz crimpy weights if they ran out of the bigger ones.

They must be terrible shops.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: krismoriah72
I had two places tell me that they werent able to balance my steel wheels because they dont carry many of those weights anymore..not a major problem but i guess steel wheels arent as common anymore.

That's hooey-- there are about eight different weight crimp/corner profiles-- seven for aluminum and one for steel. They could have put sticky weights on the inside or used a bunch of 1/2 oz crimpy weights if they ran out of the bigger ones.

They must be terrible shops.

I agree. With four cars and high yearly mileage I go through a lot of tires. I've been to numerous places both where I live and in the City of Milwaukee (including Firestone, Walmart, Goodyear, and independents) and all have adequate supplies of clamp weights. In fact, I'm usually asked if they can use the clamp weights instead of the stick-on ones as they claim they're more durable.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

I hate steel wheels because of hub caps....They always go missing and when gone makes your car look like ghetto Chicago.