WHEELS

Wheels For Peterbilt Trucks

Wheels are among the most structurally demanding components on a Class 8 Peterbilt — they carry the full weight of the truck and cargo through every mile, absorb road shocks, and must maintain precise dimensional tolerances to keep tires properly seated at highway speeds. We carry steel disc wheels, aluminum wheels, and wide-base single wheels for Peterbilt trucks in common sizing for steer, drive, and tag axle positions, along with replacement hardware for wheel end service.

Frequently asked questions about wheels

What are the advantages of aluminum wheels over steel on a Peterbilt?

Forged aluminum wheels offer a significant weight advantage over steel — typically 20–30 lbs per wheel, which on a dual-wheel tandem axle truck translates to 160–240 lbs of payload capacity per set of drives and trailers. They also resist corrosion better than painted steel in salt-belt states and maintain a polished appearance that's popular with owner-operators. The tradeoff is higher upfront cost and susceptibility to cracking from curb strikes or impacts that a steel wheel would simply dent. For linehaul operations where every pound of payload matters, aluminum is the preferred choice.

How do I know if a wheel needs to be replaced versus repaired on a Peterbilt?

Steel wheels with cracks at the hand holes, stud holes, or disc-to-rim weld area must be replaced immediately — cracks in these structural areas are dangerous and cannot be safely repaired. Bent rims from curb strikes can sometimes be straightened by a qualified wheel shop if the deformation is minor and no cracks have formed, but any crack makes the wheel scrap. Aluminum wheels with cracks are always scrap — aluminum cannot be safely welded and a cracked aluminum wheel must not be returned to service. Wheels with heavy corrosion that has pitted the bead seat area may allow tire bead leakage and should be evaluated by a wheel specialist.

What is the correct procedure for mounting a tire on a truck wheel?

Tire mounting on commercial truck wheels requires a controlled inflation cage and proper equipment — never inflate a commercial truck tire assembly outside of a safety cage. The tire bead must be lubricated with an approved tire mounting compound (never petroleum-based lubricant), the wheel and tire must be properly positioned on the mounting machine, and inflation should be done incrementally with personnel clear of the trajectory of a potential bead explosion. Multi-piece rim wheels require additional safety precautions and should only be serviced by trained technicians following OSHA guidelines.

Other parts you might need

Shop studs & nuts for Peterbilt trucks