Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/41477
• Assists proper bead seating (tire and wheel 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 gas 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the funnel should be sized so that when a swab is inserted through the opening into the reserve of lubricant and then withdrawn, the swab is compressed, removing excess lubricant.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. 3. PREPARATION OF WHEELS AND TIRES a. Always wear safety goggles or face shields when buffing or grinding wheels. b. Inspect wheel 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 wheel. 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 .0035" (3.5 mils) 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. DEMOUNTING TUBE-TYPE TIRE 1. Before loosening any nuts securing the wheel assembly to the vehicle, remove the valve core and deflate completely. If working on a dual assembly, completely deflate both tires. Run a wire or pipe cleaner through the valve stem to ensure complete deflation. This is to prevent a possible accident. 2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle and place on the floor with the side ring up. 3. Run a wire or pipe cleaner through the valve stem to clear the valve stem. 4. Apply lubricant to all surfaces of the bead area of the tire. Use the duck bill hammer, with the rubber mallet as a wedge, or a slide hammer. 5. For two-piece wheels, remove the side ring by pushing the tire bead down. Insert the tapered end of the rim tool into the notch and pry the side ring out of the gutter. Pry progressively around the tire until the side ring is free of the gutter. 6. For three-piece wheels, remove the lock ring by pushing the side rings and the tire bead down. Insert the tapered end of the rim tool into the notch near the split in the lock ring, push the tool downward, and pry the lock ring outward to remove the gutter from the base. Use the hooked end of the rim tool progressively around the tire to complete the removal, then lift off the side ring. 7. Turn the assembly over. 8. Unseat the remaining tire bead from the rim, and lift the rim from the tire. Any inflated tire mounted on a wheel contains explosive energy. The use of damaged, mismatched or improperly assembled tire and wheel parts can cause the assembly to burst apart with explosive force. If you are struck by an exploding tire, wheel part or the blast, you can be seriously injured or killed. Do not attempt to dismount the tire while the assembly is still installed on the vehicle. Use proper tools to demount or mount wheel parts. Never use a steel hammer to seat wheel parts – use only rubber, plastic, or brass-tipped mallets. Striking a wheel assembly with a hammer of any type can damage the tire or wheel and endanger the installer. Use a steel duck bill hammer only as a wedge. Do not strike the head of a hammer with another hard-faced hammer – use a rubber mallet. MOUNTING TUBE-TYPE TIRE 1. Insert the proper size MICHELIN® tube into the tire and partially inflate (3 psi) to round out the tube (with larger sizes it may be necessary to use bead spreaders – see Page 8 for mounting instructions). 2. Insert the valve through the flap valve hole. (Make sure the reinforced patch that is directly over the flap valve hole is facing outwards.) Then insert the remainder of the flap into the tire. 3. Check the flap wings to ensure against folding. This is 7 General Instructions