It is extremely difficult to inspect this type of wheel for deterioration of parts and assembly. When a stud breaks in the hub-piloted wheel, it is instantly recognizable as a failure. However, this design does not overcome the problem of detecting cracked studs. It should be noted that there is insufficient data to assess statistically the anticipated improvement or potential failure mechanisms of hub-piloted wheels. The same is true for flange nuts which have been developed in conjunction with the hub-piloted wheel.
Corrosion is a major problem for all wheel systems.
This is especially true in Ontario where the presence of salt on the roads during winter months accelerates the corrosion process of steel a hundred fold. The corrosion process is ongoing, regardless of whether a tractor or trailer is in use. During installation and maintenance procedures, precise torquing is a major contributor to the safe operation of a stud-piloted wheel. More importantly, it may cause time-delayed fracture of the wheel studs at their root, through hydrogen embrittlement. Maintenance and inspection without understanding is only partially effective.