I was at the dealers and talking to the service manager and he told me that if I had him put on some steelies(soft 8's) or similar that he would not warranty my drive-train because they twist and screw up u-joints is this true? He says he has replaced three times on one truck and no more steelies! The rim must have a hub centric design? can someone explain if there is any merit to this statement? I would like to know if I should be putting any faith in this statement or my service manager?

 

The steel wheels have more weight to them. More weight = more stress.

Hub centric means the weight is distributed equally through the hub...no hub centric and the weight is distributed through the bolts.

I think it is a dealer by dealer choice....the dealer up here sells Jeeps with Crager soft 8's on them....they are not hub centric and are steel.

 

Are the stockers hub centric???

 

I agree - this is a dealer-specific thing. Just like lifts or other mods: some dealers are willing to play ball and be lenient on what they will and won't cover, whereas others are strictly "by the book" and will give you an earful if you even try to replace your wipers by yourself.

 

No, they are not. They are "lug centric"....I just found that out the hard way. Which in turn makes it especially important to check your torque specs if you want your rotors to last on these things.

P.S. - What is the actual torque specs for the Moab wheels? I did 100 ft/lbs.

 

The business about the wheels destroying u-joints is just foolish. The axle u-joints on JKs suffer from a “barely adequate” design. When used in off-road applications, like the offroading you would encounter if you were using cheaper steel wheels that will get rock rash, they can fail. The additional traction that bigger tires provide could change the forces the u-joints see and accelerate wear and damage.

The whole thing is just another half baked idea to deny warranty claims.

Hub centric wheels should be replaced with hub centric wheels, but has nothing to do with u-joints.

 

someone asked torque spec and it's 95 ftlb

 

Where does one acquire one of these brochures???

 

if he wants to be an @ss about it, just go to another dealer! I went to another dealer and asked to speak to the service manager. I told him i was looking for a new service department because I wasn't happy with the one i was using and could he help me. 9 out of 10 times, they will be happy to help you and have your business.

 

My dealer sells steel wheels, in Minnesota lost of people run steelies in the winter to save the expensive suff from the salt they put on the roads. :-(