Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/567620
MTD September 2015 Mounting/balancing Liebetreu notes that some cladding extends and covers the center hole. Flange plates must be used to service these types of wheels safely when clamping clad wheels with center clamp style tire changers. "All tire changer types, except automatic models like Revolu- tion, require extreme care when using a mount head or bead lever on the clad surface," he says. "Again, the plastic cladding can be damaged by the lever or scratched by the head. "Many mount heads on low-end tire changers are not sufciently wide to accommodate the extra fange thickness that a clad wheel demands. Tis needs to be monitored as well," says Liebetreu. Rethink accessories Accessories are the key to avoiding damage to clad wheels. "Flange plates are the most signifcant accessory in combating damage to these wheels," says Meyer. "Tey contact the wheel in the same location as the wheel lugs thereby avoiding damage. Our collets also play an important role in avoiding damage to these wheels. Traditional cones can protrude far enough into the bore of the wheel and contact this plastic cladding. "Hunter's collets are split tapered, which means they are tapered in opposite directions from the center of the col- let. Tis means that the collet can only penetrate half as far into the bore of the wheel and therefore avoids contact with the plastic cladding," says Meyer. Bosch ofers a variety of balancing accessories, such as pin plates, to assist with balancing accuracy, according to Farr. "We also advocate external clamping of wheels when servicing on rim-clamp style changers. Our ErgoControl bead breaker provides pinpoint control while unseating beads in close proximity to vulnerable clad fascia." Take time with the wheel John uses Hunter equipment in his Tire Pros shop. "Our tire machines have kind of 'space age' plastic heads on them that we use when working on fancier rims, and we have had no incidents of scufng or scratching with the heads." But equipment and accessories go just so far. Te time technicians take to do the rims is where shops diferentiate themselves, according to John. "I think that's the secret in anything with the installation. You've got to take time with the wheels on some of these luxury vehicles. We do that here. Te philosophy of Tire Pros is to make sure that we have processes in place where we are looking out for the customer," says John. Ramsey, who also uses Hunter tire equipment in his stores, agrees time and care are essential to servicing clad wheels. A technician has to be "very, very careful" not to hit the cladding when breaking the bead. Afer the bead is broken, the tech has to be very careful with the bar that takes the tire of the wheel. "It's just a mater of taking your time and being careful. Tere's not a whole lot of training you can do for that." ■ Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 20114 56