Slightly damaged wheel question

[oldschooldodge]

I bought a set of the 5 spoke style Alcoa LTS wheels(for single wheel truck) off of Craigslist for cheap. They are all in pretty good shape, but one wheel has some lug hole damage. Two of the lug holes look like they should, 3 are slightly elongated, and the other 3 are just enlarged slightly. On the holes that are only enlarged, the holes measure about 11/16" when they should be about 5/8". The taper is only messed up on the 3 holes that are elongated, but just on one side of the hole. The wheel is not cracked anywhere as a result of this. The angles of the tapered holes is only messed up on that one side of the elongated holes. I have mounted the wheel up, and it spins straight and true. I only have crappy cell phone pics that really don't show anything, so I didn't even bother posting.
I am just worried about any safety issue as a result of this. What do you guys think? The wheels sure look good all polished up, and I would really like to use them.

[Mark Nixon]

IF you're going to chance a bad wheel, always put it on the right rear position AND watch it like a hawk.
Tighten it several times after you put it on, run it a few miles, tighten it again.
As always with aluminum wheels, be sure the backside is absolutely corrosion free, clean it and grease or paint it to be sure.
Above all, KEEP THE LUG NUTS TIGHT!

The absolute BEST thing is to replace it, one is easier to afford than one lost that killed someone.

Mark.

[oldschooldodge]

If I do decide to use the wheel, I would definitely put it on the right rear. I have called around, and I can get the lug holes welded and machined for about $100. Do you guys think this is a safe way to fix the wheel? The welder is highly recommended, and has done work on high end wheels before.

[Ace]

Don't do it. Those wheels are ruined because somebody ran them loose. Aluminium wheels have to watched/checked much more carefully than steel for the first few weeks after initial installaton. That's why some end up like that. I re-torqued the new wheels on my 3rd gen three times since I got them a month ago and each time at least one lug took another quarter turn. Some people either aren't aware of this issue or just ignorantly irresponsible.

In any case, I can pretty much guarantee they will suffer catastrophic failure at some point, or you will continue re-torquing them until the holes finally crack out and the problem solves itself.

[oldschooldodge]

I think I will stick to the stock steelies. I should have payed closer attention when I bought the wheels. If I did put them on the truck, I don't think I could ever have peace of mind. Anybody got any creative ideas of what I should do with these wheels? I wouldn't feel right reselling them to anyone. I was thinking about getting a bar stool made out of them.

[Richie O]

Try and find 1 wheel to match. Just keep your eyes open for 1.