PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-606
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 606
MAY 2003
MAY 03
18
Wall Separations
Most bulges in the sidewall or tread
make a tire unserviceable. All tires need a
closer inspection. However, some bulges on
radial sidewalls are not defects, but the
result of how they are made. Let your
mechanic make the decision.
Underinflation
A sure sign of underinflation is a worn
tread at each side of the tire. Underinflated
tires flex more than properly inflated tires.
The flexing causes heat, which ruins tires and
may cause a blow out.
Overinflation
Look for tires that are worn in the mid-
dle. Overinflated tires don’t flex enough.
The middle of the tread takes all the
weight, causing rapid wear. When an over-
inflated tire hits a large rock or a rut, the
cords or steel belts inside snap and break,
weakening the tire
.
Wrong Caster/camber
Adjustment
A sure sign of misadjustment is
wear on one edge. Tires worn on
the inside or outside edge have cast-
er/camber problems. Either way,
report it so your mechanic can make
adjustments.
Balding Tires
When tire tread gets below a certain
height, a tire needs to be replaced. Report
any tire you believe to be worn out to your
mechanic. He’ll measure tread using the wear
gauge from the No. 1 and No. 2 Common
shop sets to make the final decision.
Here’s the list
of tires, by NSN,
that should
not
be retreaded…
oh,
spare
me!
those
jokes are
flat!
they’re
all re-
treads!
wheel
you never
shut up!?
Retreads
Retread tires can be run on most trucks
and trailers with the following exceptions:
•
Two-ply tires, without breaker strip
or belts.
•
Buses (front wheels only).
•
M520-series trucks and M747 semitrailers.
•
M860A1 semitrailers, M893 HEMTT
(when it is the prime mover of the
M860A1), and the M985E1 HEMTT.
•
M911, M916, M920, M915, and M915A1
tractor trucks (steering axles only).
•
Any vehicle with a central tire inflation
system (CTIS).
PS 606
this wasn’t a
good year
for any of us!
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