Wheel Installation - Hub Piloted Wheels - Best Practices
There sure is lots of talk out there about how to keep the wheels on your big rig. No gadget alone will solve the problem. Some will help cover up the mistakes made during installation but in order to be certain you need to have and follow a set of procedures to reduce wheel offs. I have complied a list of "to do" items here that should help. Always feel free to give me a call to discuss. Comments and suggestions are welcomed.
Carl
Purpose/Goal/Realities - 22 mm studs
- Reduce the likelihood of wheel/wheels separating from the vehicle
- Reduce costs by preserving fastening hardware (do not over torque)
- Reduce the expense of losing a tire and wheel assembly
- Create peace of mind
- Protect the public from a possible catastrophic accident - Any type of litigation settlement resulting from a fatal accident could devastate your company
Secondary Purpose/Goal/Realities
- Improve rideability by centering the wheel to the hub
- Increase tire mileage by reduced tire scuffing and wear
- Reduce your overall tire “cost of operation”
- Reduce overall “vehicle cost of operation”
- Consider using EQUAL, to properly balance the assembly for the life of the tire
Installing Wheels – Best Practices
- Clean all loose dirt, debris, rust, corrosion, or loose paint from all mating surfaces
- Inspect all parts for damage
- Check mounting faces of wheels, hubs and drums
- Never apply more paint over existing paint for appearance purposes
- Only have wheels reconditioned by reputable dealers who monitor paint thickness
- Check all bolts and nuts with a 5-IN-1. This gauge checks multiple components
- Rotate one of the hub’s pilot pads to the twelve o’clock position if you don't know where the high spot of the tire is located.
- Rotate the hub's pilot pads to the 10 and 12 o'clock position if you know were the high spot on the tire is located. Place high spot at the 12 o'clock position
- Lubricate the wheel pilots or hub pads
- Place two wheel centering tube sleeve tools on opposite bolts. These protect the studs and they help to center the wheels on the hub.
- Make certain the brake drum (if applicable) is centered on hub drum pilots
- Place an anti-indexing sleeve on every other stud – (5). These sleeves are your final protection if the wheels should happen to come loose. They will dramatically reduce the likelihood of the wheel separating from the vehicle
- Place a drop of oil between the cap nut and washer - Very important!
- Place a drop of oil on the end of each bolt - Very important!
- Do not lubricate face of hub, wheel face or brake drum
- Place eight of nuts on the hub and tighten lightly
- Remove the bolt hole centering tools
- Tighten all nuts with no more than a 1/2 “ air gun using proper sequence
- Tighten each nut with a torque wrench to exactly 500 ft/lbs. using proper sequence
- Re-torque all nuts after 50-100 miles driven
- Create a stud replacement program – Stretched studs cause loose wheels
For more information on procedures and required tools contact:
TAF Management, Inc