Step 1: Inspect Suspect Tires

When a vehicle equipped with steel cord radial truck/bus tires or light truck tires is suspected of operating with one or more tires underinflated and/or overload, approach such tires with caution.

The tire technician must remove the valve core and completely deflate the tire before removing the tire/rim/wheel assembly from the vehicle. After it is removed from the vehicle, the technician should demount the tire from the rim/wheel and conduct a complete visual and hands-on inspection inside and outside the tire.

The same inspection procedure applies for tires that have already been demounted and are being prepared for repair/retreading. If available, the technician could also use nondestructive inspection equipment, such as x-ray or other non-destructive devices, to look for any anomalies present in the casing.

For all tires returning to service, a trained tire technician should conduct a complete visual and hands-on inspection of the tire in a well-lighted area and with a hand-held grazing light. See Fig 1 Fig 2 and Fig 3

Look for:

Punctures or other injuries.
Distortions or undulations (ripples or bulges) in the sidewall.
Cuts, snags, or chips that expose any body (ply) cords or steel wire.

Feel for:

Soft spots in the sidewall flex area.
Distortions or undulations (ripples and/or bulges) in the sidewall.
Protruding wire filaments indicating broken cords.

Listen for:

Any snapping, popping or crackling sounds.

If the tire contains punctures, cuts, rupture, snags or chips exposing body (ply) cords or steel wire, but does not exhibit any other potential zipper rupture characteristics, it should be referred to a full-service repair facility for further inspection to determine if it is a repairable condition and not a source of a potential zipper rupture.

Fig 1: Tire Inspection In Well-Lighted Area With Hand-Held Grazing Light (1 Of 3)

Fig 2: Tire Inspection In Well-Lighted Area With Hand-Held Grazing Light (2 Of 3)

Fig 3: Tire Inspection In Well-Lighted Area With Hand-Held Grazing Light (3 Of 3)

If the tire does exhibit potential zipper rupture characteristics, it must be marked appropriately, made unserviceable and non-repairable, and then scrapped.

If none of these conditions are present, with the valve core still removed, continue to Step 2 .