Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Tires perform two basic functions:

act as a soft cushion between the road and the metal wheel provide adequate traction (friction) with the road surface

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Tire Types
Pneumatic
filled with air internal air pressure pushes out on the inside of the tire to support the vehicle

Tubeless tire
does not use an inner tube tire and wheel form an airtight unit

Tube-type tire
uses an inner tube to hold air pressure

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Radial Ply Tire

Uses a very flexible sidewall with a stiff tread
provides a very stiff footprint improves safety, cornering, braking, and wear may produce a harsher ride at low speeds

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Radial Ply Tire

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Tire Sidewall Markings

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Tire Size

P= passenger LT=Light Truck ST= Special Trailer T= Temporary C= Commercial

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Points of Measurement

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Aspect Ratio

Height-to-width ratio of a tire. Comparison of a tires height and width

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Tread Plies
Number of plies and ply rating:
2-ply 2-ply with a 4-ply rating 4-ply

Ply rating doesnt mean how many plies the tire has
Plies are made of different materials today

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Maximum Load Rating

Amount of weight the tire can carry at the recommended inflation pressure Printed on the sidewall P-metric:
given in kilograms and pounds

Alpha-numeric:
indicated by a letter such as B, C, or D

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Maximum Inflation Pressure

Highest air pressure that should be pumped into the tire Many tires have a maximum recommended pressure of 32 to 40 psi (220 to 275 kPa)

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 Check the manufactures recommended tire pressure

In Door Jam In owners manual

Checking Tire Inflation Pressure

Compare to max inflation and inflate to proper inflation

Many of today's cars have to be inflated to manufactures specs

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Tire Inflation Pressure

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Speed Rating
Maximum allowable sustained road speed a tire can safely withstand without failure

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Traction Rating
Traction rating is a letter based on a straight-line wet surface braking test
AA- (Best) A B C- (Worst)

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Tread Wear
Higher the number the better the tread wear
Tread wear rating 200 will last 2 times as long as a 100

Can not compare different manufactures tread wear ratings

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Heat Rating
A- Best (coolest running tire)
B C- Least able to dissipate heat

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Wear Bars
When too much tread has worn away, solid rubber bars will show up across the tread

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Tread Depth
Checking tread depth
Min depth allowed is 2/32

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Rotating Tires
Ensures maximum tire life Front and rear tires wear differently Rotation helps even out tire wear Tires are rotated at intervals such as every 3000 miles (5000 km)

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Rotation Patterns

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Tire Rotation Dually

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Todays Preferred Pattern

This Pattern is used today because of radial tire memory!

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Compact Spare Tire

This is a high pressure spare, requiring 60 psi (415 kPa)

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Self-Sealing Tire Action

A. Nail punctures tire B. Nail is pulled out C. Sealing compound flows into the hole

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Run-Flat Tires
Use extremely stiff sidewall construction Still usable with a loss of air pressure Tire will still retain most of its shape because the sidewall is strong enough to support vehicle weight

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Run-Flat Tires

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Tire Inflation Monitoring System

Often used with run-flat tires Pressure sensors are mounted on each wheel If tire pressure is not correct, the wheel sensor produces a radio signal Signal is received by a module that turns on a dash warning light

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Pressure Sensor

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System Operation

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ABS Tire Monitoring

Wheel speed is measured using ABS sensors Different wheel speeds equals uneven tire pressures

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Valve Stem Assembly

Valve stem snaps into the hole in the wheel

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Press fit forms an airtight seal

Valve core screws into the valve stem body

Lug Nut and Stud

Stud is pressed into the hub or axle flange

If metric or left-hand threads are used, markings will normally be given

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Torquing Lug Nuts

Torque is very important, especially on vehicles with mag wheels and lightweight hubs Overtorquing can cause wheel and hub distortion, or brake pulsation Undertorquing might allow the lug nuts to loosen and the wheel to fall off

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Wheel Cover Removal

Pry between the wheel and cover at four alternating points

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Wheel Cover Installation

Hold the wheel cover in place with the valve stem sticking through the cover
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 Wheel balance is a common cause of tire and steering wheel vibration When one side of a tire is heavier than the other, centrifugal force tries to throw the heavy side outward when the tire is rotating

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 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

 Supports the weight of the vehicle Allows the wheels to move up and down Allows rapid cornering without extreme body roll Keeps the tires in firm contact with the road
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Suspensions

Independent

Nonindependent
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Types of Springs
A. Coil spring B. Leaf spring C. Air spring D. Torsion bar

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Coil Springs

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Leaf Spring Assembly

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Air Springs

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Torsion Bar

The bar resists twisting action and acts like a conventional spring
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Ball Joints

Tapered stud provides a force fit into the steering knuckle or bearing support
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Shock Absorber Action

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Checking Shock Absorber Condition

Perform a visual inspection for damage, rubber bushing wear or oil leakage Perform a shock absorber bounce test
push down on one corner of the vehicle release the body count the number of times the body rebounds maximum two or three oscillations
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Sway Bar (Stabilizer Bar)

Sway bar links connect the bar to the control arms

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Front Suspension
(MacPherson Strut)

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Strut Compressor

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 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

 Provide precise control of the wheel direction Maintain correct steering effort Transmit road feel to the drivers hands Absorb most of the road shock going to the steering wheel Allow for suspension action
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 Two basic kinds of steering systems are in use today:

Parallelogram steering systems rack-and-pinion steering systems

Each may be operated manually or with power assist

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Steering
Parallelogram Steering

Basic Rack-andPinion Steering

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Parallelogram Steering System

Credit: ATW Assembly & Test Worldwide

57

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Fig. 2-5

Rack-and-Pinion Steering System

Credit: ATW Assembly & Test Worldwide

58

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Fig. 2-7

Steering Rack
(Rack and Pinion Steering)

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Steering Gear box

(parallelogram steering)

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Basic Power Steering

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Steering Wheel Play

Amount that you can turn the steering wheel without front wheel movement Caused by worn ball sockets, a worn idler arm, or too much clearance in the steering gearbox Compare the play to service manual specifications
e.g. 1 1/2 (33 mm)
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Dry Park Test

With the vehicle on the ground, rotate the steering wheel back and forth while someone watches for part wear
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Steering Inspection

Raise the vehicle on a lift. Wiggle the tires back and forth while watching for steering play
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 Maintenance involves checking for low fluid level, incorrect belt adjustment, system leaks, and other problems Ball socket lubrication may be necessary

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Checking the Fluid

Check most systems at operating temperature, with the engine off

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Tire Problem
Under-inflated Tire

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Tire Problem
Over-inflated Tire

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Tire Problem
Cupping
Out of balance Lack of proper rotation Broken belts in tire

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Tire Problem
Alignment Problem
Worn Parts Bent Parts

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Alignment
Three Angles to check
Camber Caster Toe

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Camber
Positive camber
Tire leans away from vehicle

Negative camber
Tire leans towards vehicle

Causes tire wear Causes vehicle pulling

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Camber

73
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Caster
Amount of upper and lower ball joint offset Will cause vehicle pull Does not cause tire wear

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Caster

75
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Toe
measurement difference across front and back of tires Will cause tire wear Will result in pulling or wandering

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Toe Angle

77
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Tire Future
Tweel
Pneumatic tire Michelin Experimented with in Military and Off Road applications

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Tire Future

Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.