TIA Offers Four Tips That Commercial Vehicle Operators Can Use To Help Prevent Potentially Deadly Wheel-Off Accidents

(I-Newswire) July 31, 2009 - 1. Proper torque in and of itself is not a guarantee that the wheel is secure on the hub or drum – the key is clamping force. Tire technicians must be trained to ensure that the wheel and hub are properly cleaned and that the wheel and fasteners are inspected before it is installed. Even with the correct torque, foreign material on the mating surfaces and worn threads will still cause a wheel to become loose.
2. Use the proper wheel fastener lubricants (30-weight oil on the stud and flange nut for hub-piloted wheels and dry for stud-pilot).
3. DO NOT use anti-seize compounds on stud-piloted wheels. This use has never been approved by wheel, hub or fastener manufacturers.
4. Wheel fastener torque should always be checked after the first 50 to 100 miles.

"There are plenty of myths and outright falsehoods floating around repair shops – such as using anti-seize compounds as wheel lubricants – which only help to perpetuate the phenomenon of wheel-offs," said TIA Senior Vice President of Training Kevin Rohlwing. "It's important that tire technicians receive the proper training to look at all aspects of clamping force – not just proper wheel torque – in order to ensure a wheel does not come off and create the potential for serious injury, or even death out on the roads."

TIA offers extensive training and commercial tire technician certification courses that include training on proper clamping force. For more information, visit the "Training" section of www.tireindustry.org, or call Ms. Christine Bell at 800.876.8372, ext. 106, or at cbell@tireindustry.org. Additionally, TIA and Michelin Americas Truck Tires (MATT) have partnered to create a new training video for truck fleets, which includes information on installation and inspection guidelines to improve wheel-end performance and safety. The 20-minute video titled "Wheel End Safety," is available for viewing free of charge on both the TIA web site (www.tireindustry.org), and Michelin's web site (www.michelintruck.com).

TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.

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