TIRE MAINTENANCE

RIM AND WHEEL MAINTENANCE:

or electric wire brushes, and blasting or chem-

ical baths may be used.

NOTE

Bead seat areas of the rim should be free of

"In order to maintain and insure

rust and rubber deposits. This is especially

maximum service, a continuous main-

important for drop-center tubless rims...be-

tenance program is advisable...

cause of the air-sealing element.

maintenance procedures should be

carried out both during tire inspec-

Paint rim by brush or spray with a fast-drying

tions and during tire changes."

metal primer. Surfaces should be clean and dry

prior to painting. Insure that bare metal areas

on outside or tire side of rim are covered.

This is especially important on drop-center

WARNING

tubless rims, because warm and sometimes moist

air is in constant contact with the metal sur-

PULL DAMAGED RIMS OR WHEELS. DEFLATE

face on the tire side of the rim.

TIRES PRIOR TO THE REMOVAL OF RIMS OR

Lubricate tire side of rim base just prior to

mounting tire ...avoid the use of any lubricant

WHEELS FROM THE VEHICLE.

which contains water or solvent that is injuri-

ous to rubber ...a combination lubricant and

rust-preventive compound is preferable. This

protective measure is of particular importance

Check ail metal surfaces thoroughly while making

with drop-center tubless rims as the air in the

tire inspections...watch for...

tire is contained by the tire-side rim surface.

Fatigue cracks in metal.

NOTE

Bent flanges, resulting from road obstructions.

Rim Distributors can supply the proper

compound that serves as a lubricant and

rust preventive.

Deep rim tool marks.

Loose, missing or damaged nuts.

TIRE MAINTENANCE:

Bent or stripped studs.

Inspect for proper inflation. Refer to Specifi-

c a t i o n s for correct tire pressure.

Excessive rust or corrosion.

(Table 1, page 1-2)

Inspect tires and wheels regularly for cuts,

Hark damaged or hazardous areas with chalk so

breaks, alignment , security of wheel clamp bolts

that part will be removed from service...replace

(on machine using split rims), and lug nuts or

damaged parts .

bolts.

Insure that replacements are made with the proper

Even with the best of maintenance practices,

sizes and types ...refer to your machine serial

cuts will still be a source of tire trouble.

number when ordering replacement parts. Care

The correct procedure for handling and repairing

should be taken to assure that ail replacement

tires should be given careful attention. Close

parts are interchangeable with the original parts

inspect ion of alI tires should be made at the

and of a quality equal to that provided in the

time of inflation check, and all tires having

original equipment.

cuts that penetrate into the cord body should be

taken off for proper repair.

Check ail metal surfaces, as listed above, and

check for cracks. These are caused by deep rim

Failure to make regular inspections and repairs,

tool marks, overloading and overinflating tires

when needed, will result in further deteriora-

and using larger than recommended tire sizes.

tion of the cord body and eventually a blowout.

Small rocks and dirt will get into shallow cuts

Cracks in wheel between stud holes are caused by

in the tread and if neglected will gradually be

loose wheel nuts...improper installation proce-

pounded through the cord body.

dures and use of incorrect sizes or types of

attaching parts. lnsufficient mounting torque

One simple method to forestall this action is to

can cause wheel shimmy, resulting in damage to

clean out the cut with an awl or similar tool to

parts and extreme tire tread wear. Excessive

remove any stones or other matter which may be

mounting torque can cause studs to break and

lodged in the cut. Use a sharp, narrow-bladed

disc to crack in the stud hole area.

knife and cut away the rubber around the cut to

form a cone-shaped cavity extending to the

Thoroughly clean wheels...remove rust, dirt and

bottom of the injury. The sides of the cavity

other foreign materials from all surfaces. Hand

should be slanted enough to prevent stones from

4-52 J