More details on Wheel / Tire Installation

Diagnosing Wheel Vibrations
Diagnosing Wheel Vibrations

Mounting Procedures
For the proper mounting of tires, be sure to observe some basic precautions:

    1. Wheel is securely seated on the hub face.
    2. All lugs have proper torque.
    3. There is no buildup of dirt between the hub and wheel.
    4. The wheel is not bent.
    5. Both tire beads are securely seated on the rim.
Proper tire and wheel assembly balancing is important from a vehicle safety standpoint. In high-speed driving, improperly balanced tire/wheel assemblies will cause a vehicle to lose stability and not operate in a safe and comfortable manner. Improperly balanced tire/wheel assemblies also cause abnormal treadwear patterns.

To facilitate proper balancing, most tire manufacturers place red and yellow marks on the sidewalls of its tires to enable the best possible match-mounting of the tire/wheel assembly. There are two methods of match-mounting tires to wheel assemblies using these red or yellow marks:

  • Uniformity (red mark)
  • Weight (yellow mark)

Warning:
Improper mounting, underinflation, overloading or tire damage may result in tire failure, which may lead to serious injury. Tire and rim sizes must correspond for proper fit and application. Never exceed 40 psi to seat beads.

Warning:
Tire changing can be dangerous, and should be done only by trained persons using proper tools and procedures established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Failure to comply with proper procedures may result in incorrect positioning of the tire, tube, or wheel assembly, causing the assembly to burst with explosive force sufficient to cause serious physical injury or death. Never mount or use damaged tires, tubes, or wheel assemblies.

Proper Installation and Spacers
With some custom fitments, it is necessary to use spacers in order to achieve proper clearances. Whenever the assembly comes into contact with inner fender members, brake calipers or ball joints, consult the wheel manufacturer for recommendations on the proper use of spacers.

Spacers are sometimes necessary when wheels of the proper offset are not available. However, there are some drawbacks to their use:

  • Spacers are made in various quality grades. Some spacers may not be able to withstand the forces generated by aggressive or competitive vehicle use.
  • Spacers that use a generic or slotted pattern (for use on a variety of hub patterns) may make proper location of the assembly very difficult.
  • Spacers may necessitate longer lug bolts.

Special Considerations for Light Truck Applications
Because light trucks demand special load-capacity considerations, we've compiled a few rules that should be observed:

Using passenger tires on light trucks.
Using passenger car tires on light trucks should be approached with caution. The varied service that a light truck undergoes means that the rated load-carrying capacity of a passenger car tire used on it is reduced. When referencing a passenger car tire for light truck use, decrease the load specification.

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