How hot do your wheel get? Recently I noticed that my Alcoa wheels after a trip get very, very hot. Hot enough that I cannot keep my had on it for more that a few seconds.

After I had some work done by the local FL dealer (king pin's replaced) we ran down to a campground a few hours away and came home and I noticed one of my lug nut covers coming loose. I had been parked for about 15 minutes and notice the wheel was hot! I checked both front wheels and they where equally hot. One of my oil hubs was leaking slightly so I replaced them both. Did another run this weekend and again they where hot, we jacked the wheels and I did not have a brake dragging. Spun the wheel and it rotated about 2 1/2 times on a hard spin of the wheel.

Just not sure if the heat is from the brakes being used and dissipating to the wheels or the bearing nuts being to tight. I can't imagine the Fl dealer would over tighten both nuts.

I just don't remember ever checking the wheels before after a trip so I don't have anything to compare this to. I have felt the tires before and they seem to feel the same (warm to the touch after a run)

Bill

My tires get hot to the touch when I run loaded on my roll-off but I have steel rims on all vehicles...so I can' really compare with your experience...I would call Freightliner for an opinion though....warm they are-but not Hot so I can't hold my hand on them....geof

Bill;
You may want to check the front slack adjusters, typically one may adjust up to far, but not both.

Check things out further today and here is what is happening.

The wheels act as a heat sink. So when traveling and short stops the wheels are cool to the touch. But stop for 10 - 15 minutes the heat from the front drum brakes (if alot of braking is done) disipates out onto the hub and wheel.

I guess I just never noticed it.

Bill;
As you already knew, aluminun is one of the best heat conductors there is, you just needed another reminder, im glad you didn't have slack adjuster problems.