Wheel End Wisdom

Roadside Service Safety Week: The Highway Danger No One Talks About

In this episode of Wheel End Wisdom, we sit down with Kevin Rohlwing from the Tire Industry Association, a 44-year veteran of the tire business and 30-year member of TIA, to discuss one of the most dangerous yet often overlooked risks in the trucking industry: roadside tire service. From limited visibility and high-speed traffic to the constant pressure of getting drivers safely back on the road, roadside technicians face serious hazards every day. Kevin shares real-world insights, industry safety concerns, and why proper training, awareness, and procedures are critical for protecting the people who keep trucks moving. Listen now!

Wheel Corrosion vs. Bad Refinishing: The Real Cause of Wheel Corrosion

Is that wheel corrosion… or a bad refinishing job? In this episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, we break down one of the most misunderstood issues in commercial wheel maintenance: wheel surface corrosion vs. improper refinishing. Joined by industry experts Bob Bortner and David Calzada, we dig into what’s really happening when wheels start to show signs of damage—and why so many fleets and dealers get it wrong. You’ll learn: How to identify true wheel corrosion vs. refinishing defects The most common misdiagnoses in wheel inspections Key visual indicators every technician should know The real root causes of corrosion (environmental vs. maintenance) Where inspection processes break down—and how to fix them How solutions like MILCURE help address corrosion at the source If you're a fleet manager, technician, or commercial tire dealer, this episode will help you make more accurate decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and extend wheel life.

Stop Leaving Tire Life & Fuel Savings on the Table

Recorded live at TMC 2026, this episode dives into the fundamentals of wheel-end maintenance and why balance matters more than most fleets realize. Featuring insights from industry experts Gerry Mead and Brock Hetherington, we break down common misconceptions, overlooked maintenance practices, and how adaptive internal balancing with EQUAL FLEXX is changing the game. From reducing vibration to extending tire and component life, this conversation connects real-world challenges to practical, long-term solutions for fleets.

From Highways to the Outback: Stories about Tire Balancing in Global Trucking

How does tire balancing differ between trucking fleets in the United States and Australia, and why does it matter for tire life, fuel efficiency, and fleet performance? In this episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, we explore the key differences in trucking operations across the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand, from highway freight routes to extreme remote road train applications. Australia’s rugged terrain, longer haul distances, and unique truck configurations create distinct challenges for tire wear, balance, and maintenance.  Learn more about EQUAL FLEXX: https://www.imiproducts.com/our-solutions/imi-flexx/

Decades in the Tire Shop: How Balancing Methods Have Evolved

In this episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, we hear firsthand stories from experienced industry professionals who’ve spent decades working in tire and wheel-end service. They share what they’ve seen over the years — from golf balls to traditional glass-bead balancing to the real-world challenges that surface at retread and disposal time. The conversation takes a serious turn as our guests recount personal slip-and-fall incidents caused by loose glass beads on shop floors, breaking down exactly how these materials can create dangerous working conditions for technicians. We explore how internal balancing products impact cleanup, labor time, and safety when tires reach end-of-life or are prepped for retreading. Finally, we compare those experiences to EQUAL FLEXX, discussing why its adaptive, soft-compound formula offers a safer alternative to traditional balancing beads — with less mess, easier disposal, and reduced slip hazards in busy shop environments.