Wheel Maintenance

During Tire Inspection

1. Check all metal surfaces thoroughly while making tire inspections, including areas between dual wheels and on inboard side of wheel. Watch for:

   • excessive rust or corrosion buildup
   • cracks in metal
   • bent flanges, resulting from road obstructions
   • loose, missing or damaged lug nuts (1012)
   • bent or stripped lug bolts (1107)

2.  WARNING: EXCESSIVELY CORRODED OR CRACKED RIMS CAN BE DANGEROUS. DEFLATE TIRES PRIOR TO THE REMOVAL FROM THE WHEELS.

   Remove and replace damaged wheels.

3. Mark damaged or hazardous areas with chalk so that part will be removed from service.

4. Replace parts as required.

5. Inflate tires only to recommended air pressures.

6. Check the lug nut torque and retighten the lug nuts as specified at the end of this section.

During Tire Changes

1.  WARNING: ALLOYS OR METAL SURFACES WITH CRACKS ARE DANGEROUS. THESE COMPONENTS COULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING DURING INFLATION OR WHILE IN USE ON THE VEHICLE. DESTROY ALL PARTS THAT ARE CRACKED.

   Check all metal surfaces. Watch particularly for the following items:

   • Cracks in the rim bead seat or drop well radii areas. These are caused by deep rim tool marks, overloading and overinflating tires or using larger than recommended tire sizes.
   • Cracks in the wheel disc, between the wheel hub bolt holes or hand holes. These are caused by loose lug nuts, improper installation procedures or the use of incorrect sizes or types of attaching parts.

2.  CAUTION: Make sure that replacements are made with the proper sizes and types of wheels.

   Replace the wheel if cracks are detected.

3. Thoroughly remove rust, dirt and other foreign materials from all surfaces. Bead seat areas of rim should be free of rust and rubber deposits.

4. NOTE: Avoid the use of any lubricant which contains water or solvent that is injurious to rubber, such as WD-40. A combination lubricant and rust-preventive compound is preferable (such as Rubber Lubricant D9AZ-19583-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M99B135-A). This protective measure is of particular importance with drop-center tubeless rims as the air in the tire is contained by the tire-side rim surface.

   Lubricate the tire side of the rim base just prior to mounting tire.

5.  WARNING: AFTERMARKET AEROSOL TIRE SEALANTS ARE EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. ALWAYS QUESTION CUSTOMER TO MAKE SURE THESE PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN USED.

    CAUTION: When mounting a tire on a wheel, do not inflate to more than 276 kPa (40 psi); then deflate tire.

   NOTE: If the tire is to be reinstalled on the same wheel, mark the tire and wheel so they can be reassembled in the same position. Refer to Tire Service in Removal and Installation, if a puncture or any tire abnormality is detected.

   Inflate tire to recommended air pressure.