In this episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, host Tim Gillespie sits down with Eddie Steffes and Bob Bortner to talk about one of the most overlooked hazards in commercial tire shops: slip hazards, messy bays, and what we call “shop glitter” or balancing beads. 

Together, they break down:
- How to spot a safe vs. unsafe shop the moment you walk in
- Why a fast-paced environment is the #1 driver of shop accidents 
- The “penguin walk” and “old man shuffle”
- What leadership can do right now to build a true safety culture
- Why switching to FLEXX saves money in the long run
- How fleets are investing in safety, and why a simple product switch matters 

Whether you’re a manger of a fleet, run a commercial shop, or work in the bays daily, this conversation is for you. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation!

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!

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.

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.

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/

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.

Get ready for winter with a deep dive into the wheel-end issues that hit fleets the hardest when temperatures drop. In this episode, we break down why cold weather causes tire pressure loss, torque retention problems, mounting challenges, corrosion, vibration complaints, and TPMS alerts—and what fleets and shops can do to stay ahead of them.

We unpack the science behind cold-weather tire and metal behavior, why bead seating becomes tougher in freezing temperatures, and how improper stud and hub preparation can lead to wheel-off risks. You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between cold flat-spotting and true wheel-end imbalance, plus where adaptive balancing solutions like EQUAL FLEXX play a critical role in winter performance.

From real-world failures to must-do maintenance adjustments, this episode delivers practical, shop-ready insights that keep trucks safer and more consistent all winter long.

In this episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, we break down why proper wheel mounting and concentric bead seating are essential for safety, ride quality, and tire longevity. We discuss common mounting mistakes, how small misalignments lead to vibration and wear, and why tools like stud and hub cleaner, and the TIA R.I.S.T. Method, are critical for getting it right.

You’ll also learn how proper mounting impacts balancing, torque retention, and overall wheel-end health, plus where solutions like EQUAL FLEXX fit into the process. 

In this powerful episode of Wheel-End Wisdom, we’re hitting the shoulder of the highway to talk about one of the most dangerous — and essential — jobs in the trucking industry: roadside service.

Our guest, Roadside Ricky from Best One, opens up about what it’s really like to work inches from live traffic, the habits that keep him safe, and the day everything changed after a serious roadside accident. From the moment-by-moment decisions that save lives to the mental and physical recovery that followed, Ricky’s story is a raw reminder that safety isn’t just policy — it’s personal.

You might think a wheel’s finish is just about appearance — but what if it’s costing you customers, comebacks, and credibility? In this episode, we sit down with Mark from AkzoNobel to uncover how the right coating can completely change the game for commercial tire dealers.

For years, IMI and Akzo have worked side by side to engineer a powder coating built specifically for steel wheels — designed to stand up to corrosion, road salt, and the toughest fleet environments. It’s time to ask yourself: are you really offering your customers the best — or just what’s always been done?

👉 Contact us to evaluate your current powder coating process and see how it stacks up. https://www.imiproducts.com/contact-us-powder-evaluation/