February 25, 2019
As supervisors and maintenance managers, you need to ensure that the heavy vehicles or machinery that go through your workshop are appropriately maintained following manufacturers specifications, especially when it comes to tightening applications. One specific area that needs attention is tire changing.
Tire changing on any type of vehicle is a regular job for mechanics and it can seem quite straight forward. As such, operators can tend to overlook the tightening specifications recommended by the vehicle manufacturers. This practice should be avoided however, as it can lead to downtime and serious safety consequences.
Manufacturers always provide recommendations for each tightening job, and these can be found in the specifications book, or maintenance manual, which is more commonly called ‘blue book’. Before you start tightening you should double check the book to ensure your job is performed to the best standard.
With new innovations in materials and tools, it’s important to keep your knowledge current and follow the latest specifications. For example, nowadays most wheel rims are made from aluminum instead of steel but this does not mean that aluminum rims are harder and more torque is needed. The rim material affects the torque that should be applied. Continuous training is highly recommended and this can be offered by different providers.
A substantial amount of torque is “lost” or wasted by friction during tightening. Therefore, we advise preparing the surface properly by cleaning all the elements to eliminate any rust, dust and dirt. Once you finish cleaning and before you start tightening inspect all components: wheel, studs and long nuts. Find out more about tightening preparation tips in our “torque sense when changing wheels” blog.
Clamping force can be affected by other factors: parts quality, airline set up and tools maintenance or calibration.
Wheel nuts that are over-tightened can often become damaged or broken, especially when hitting bumps in the road. This can result in a potentially catastrophic failure of the wheel, posing a serious risk to the safety of the heavy vehicle and its drivers. It’s important to use the right combination of tools to prevent this and achieve the right level of torque.
If you spot any signs of deformation or stretch on a stud, there is a high probability that tightening is above manufacturers specifications. Therefore, it’s key to replace the stud as soon as possible, and review your tightening processes.
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