217.181
Figure 11-18.—Aircraft wheel holder and tire bead-breaking machine.
takeoff speeds. Carrier operations place extra demands
on the tire maintenance. In many cases tire failures are
attributed to material failures and/or manufacturing
defects when actually improper maintenance was the
underlying cause. Poor inspection, improper buildup,
operation of tires in an underinflated or overinflated
condition are common causes for tire failure. Strict
adherence to proper inspection procedures and
maintenance instructions is mandatory. This will ensure
that sound tires with minor discrepancies will not be
removed prematurely, unsafe tires will be replaced
before flight, and worn tires will be removed at the
proper time to permit rebuilding.
During the mounting, dismounting, and inflating of
tires, safety is paramount. Compressed air and nitrogen
present a safety hazard if the operator is not aware of
the proper operation of the inflation equipment and the
characteristics of the inflation medium. It is also very
important to know the wheel type and be familiar with
the manufacturer’s recommended procedure before you
attempt to dismount a tire. For specific precautions
concerning a particular installation, you should always
consult the applicable MIM.
Dismounting
In the tire shop, you should recheck tires for complete
deflation before disassembling the wheel and breaking
the bead of the tire. Breaking the bead means separating
the bead of the tire from the wheel flange. When a tire
has been completely deflated and set aside to await the
bead-breaking operation, the valve core should be
removed and a deflated tire tag installed on the valve
stem. The tire tags should be so constructed as not to be
installable unless the valve core has been removed.
Refer to figure 11-5.
BREAKING THE BEAD.—The use of proper
equipment for breaking the bead of the tire away from
the wheel flange will save materials and man-hours.
Aircraft tires, inner tubes, and wheels can be damaged
beyond repair by improper mounting and dismounting
equipment and procedures. Always refer to the
applicable manufacturer’s operating manual prior to
using this equipment. The equipment shown in figure
11-18 is recommended in NAVAIR 04-10-506. Other
commercially available or locally fabricated equipment
that uses either a hydraulically actuated cylinder or a
mechanically actuated device may also be used, provided
the equipment will not damage the
11-19
