Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34501
2. TIRE AND RIM LUBRICATION It is essential that an approved tire mounting lubricant be used. Preferred materials for use as bead lubricants are vegetable based and mixed with proper water ratios per manufacturer’s instructions. Never use antifreeze, silicones, or petroleum-base lubricants as this will damage the rubber. Lubricants not mixed to the manufacturer’s specifications may have a harmful effect on the tire and wheel. The lubricant serves the following three purposes: • Helps minimize the possibility of damage to the tire beads from the mounting tools. • Helps ease the insertion of the tire onto the rim by lubricating all contacting surfaces. • Assists proper bead seating (tire/rim centering) and helps to prevent eccentric mountings. The MICHELIN ® product, Tiger Grease 80, MSPN 25817, is specifically formulated for commercial truck tire mounting. It can be obtained through any authorized MICHELIN Truck Tire dealer or by contacting MICHELIN Consumer Care (1-888-622-2306). Apply a clean lubricant to all portions of the tire bead area and the exposed portion of the flap using sufficient but sparing quantities of lubricant. Also, lubricate the entire rim surface. Avoid using excessive amounts of lubricant, which can become trapped between the tire and tube and can result in tube damage and rapid air loss. CAUTION: It is important that tire lubricant be clean and free of dirt, sand, metal shavings, or other hard particles. The following practice is recommended: a. Use a fresh supply of tire lubricant each day, drawing from a clean supply source and placing the lubricant in a clean portable container. b. Provide a cover for the portable container and/or other means to prevent contamination of the lubricant when not in use. For lubricants in solution, we suggest the following method, which has proven to be successful in helping to minimize contamination and prevent excess lubricant from entering the tire casing: provide a special cover for the portable container that has a funnel-like device attached. The small opening of the funnel should be sized so that when a swab is inserted through the opening into the reserve of lubricant and then withdrawn, the swab is compressed, removing excess lubricant. This allows the cover to be left in place providing added protection. A mesh false bottom in the container is a further protection against contaminants. The tire should be mounted and inflated promptly before lubricant dries. Avoid using excessive amounts of lubricants. Avoid not using any lubricants. 3. PREPARATION OF WHEELS, RIMS, AND TIRES a. Always wear safety goggles or face shields when buffing or grinding rims or wheels. b. Inspect wheel/rim assemblies for cracks, distortion, and deformation of flanges. Using a file and/or emery cloth, smooth all burrs, welds, dents, etc. that are present on the tire side of the rim. Inspect the condition of bolt holes on the wheels. Rim flange gauges and ball tapes are available for measuring wear and circumference of aluminum wheels. c. Remove rust with a wire brush and apply a rust inhibiting paint on steel wheels. The maximum paint thickness is 0.003" on the disc face of the wheel. d. Remove any accumulation of rubber or grease stuck to the tire, being careful not to damage it. Wipe the beads down with a dry rag. Section Seven: Diagonal (Bias or Cross) Ply and Tube-Type 95