TM 5-3810-288-12
7-45. Wheels, Tires, and Tubes
(1) Remove the valve core from the valve stem and
be sure all air is allowed to escape from the tire.
Note that the letter L is stamped on the ends of the
wheel mounting studs. This indicates that the
mounting studs have a left hand thread, and that the
Caution: Air in the tire can cause serious injury to
nuts must be removed by turning in a clockwise
personnel attempting to remove tires from wheels.
direction. Wheel mounting studs marked with the
letter R are normal right hand studs and the nuts are
(2) Using a suitable hammer, preferably at least 5
removed in the usual counter-clockwise direction.
pounds in weight, strike the tire at points near
b. Wheel Removal. Always jack the axle from which
the ring, until the ring breaks loose from the tire.
the wheel is to be removed up and install firm, solid
Start at the ring split, and work around the ring.
blocking beneath the axle. Block the axle so that it
(3) Insert a suitable tool in the slot in the ring and
can not fall when the wheel is re-moved. Then, refer
pound the ring in at a point 180 degrees from the
to figure 7-39 remove the ten wheel mounting nuts,
ring split while prying out at the ring-slot. Pry
and remove the wheel.
until the ring is loosened and projects above the
c. Wheel Installation. Install the wheel as shown in
wheel rim. Then pry the ring out of the rim,
proceeding progressively around the ring from
the slot.
(4) Using the hammer used to remove the ring,
break the tire bead loose from the wheel. Then
turn the wheel over and break the tire bead loose
from the wheel at the other side. Remove the
wheel from the tire.
(5) Remove the flap (a circular piece of flat rubber-
like material which fits around the inside of the
inner tube) and the inner tube from the tires.
(6) Inflate the tube, place it in water to locate the
leak by means of escaping air bubbles, and
patch the leak using either hot or cold patches.
e. Tire and Tube Installation. Install the tire and tube
on the wheel as follows:
(1) Place the inner tube in the tire and in-stall the
flap beneath the tube. The flap will protect the
tube from damage while the tire-tube assembly
is placed on the wheel.
(2) Place the wheel inside the tire, with the opening
in the wheel lined up with the tube valve stem.
The wheel will be off-center in relationship to the
tire. with the stem opening closest to the stem.
Insert the valve stem through the wheel and
place the valve stem cover on the stem to
prevent the stem from coming out of the wheel.
Figure 7-39. Tires and wheels, removal and installation.
(3) Center the wheel in the tire.
(4) Using a suitable tool. starting at the ring split,
d. Tire and Tube Removal.
Remove the wheel
force the ring into place around the edge of the
instructed above. Then proceed as follows:
wheel rim.
7-43
