Taking time to stretch and add a dose of talcum powder may
sound like a gymnast getting ready for the high bar or
Lebron James preparing to hit the basketball court, but
these practices also apply to mounting aircraft tires if you
have customers who are pilots.
According to aviation tire expert Larry Rapsard, a product
support manager at Goodyear, correctly mounting these types
of tires requires following the detailed mounting procedures
provided by tire and wheel manufacturers for both tube-type
and tubeless tires.
Rapsard says the procedure calls for a 12-hour stretch after
the initial mounting.
“All tires – particularly bias tires – will stretch after
the initial inflation, causing a volume increase and a
corresponding drop in pressure,” he reports. “For that
reason, tires should not be placed in service until they’ve
been inflated for a minimum of 12 hours and reinflated if
necessary.”
After the 12-hour stretch period, it is highly recommended
that the tire/wheel assembly be given a 24-hour diffusion
check to make sure the assembly is holding inflation
properly. Tubeless assemblies, in particular, can lose
pressure through the valve, o-ring, fuse plug, overpressure
plug, tiny cracks in the wheel, etc, says Rapsard.
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When mounting a tube-type tire, a light coat of talc on the
tube before mounting will help the tube fit inside the tire.
After mounting, first inflate, then deflate, then re-inflate
the tire. This helps to equalize the tube inside the tire,
minimizing the chance for pinching and folding.
When mounting a tubeless tire, torque the wheel bolts
properly and inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure with dry nitrogen, he advises.
After mounting aircraft tires, check tire pressures daily
when they are at ambient temperature, because tire/wheel
assemblies can lose as much as 5 percent of inflation
pressure in 24 hours. “By observing these procedures for
mounting aircraft tires, you’ll experience better results
from your tires,” Rapsard points out.
For additional mounting details and more information, visit
www.goodyearaviation.com.
