CHANGING A MOTOR WHEEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1938, Page 9

CHANGING A MOTOR WHEEL

NOTES FOR BEGINNERS. Although most motorists of long experience know how to change a wheel in the event of a punctured tyre, many newcomers to the ranks of motoring have little idea how to go about changing a tyre if the need should arise while motoring. After purchasing one’s first car, often two or even three years pass without a puncture, consequently the rudiments given in one’s instruction book as to the correct method of replacing a leaking’ air tube are forgotten, says the “Dunlop Bulletin.” Following is the usual procedure for changing a wheel and removing a tube: -—---First place the jack under the axle and raise the wheel until the tyre is almost clear of the ground —making sure that the jack is on solid ground or well supported on a stout board. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them. Then take off the spare wheel and place it in a convenient position near that with the faulty tyre. Increase the height of the jack so that the punctured tyre is well clear of the ground, remove the wheel nuts, slide the wheel off its hub, and immediately replace it with the “spare.” The reason for these instructions is that if the axle is left without a wheel for an appreciable time, there is always a danger of the jack wobbling or of the car being pushed sideways. After fitting the spare wheel see that all studs and nuts are clean, and, if necessary, lightly smear them with grease. Screw them all finger-tight, then tighten gradually in turn until all are equally tight. To permit of final tightening it might be desirable slightly to lower the jaqk if the wheels cannot be locked by means of the hand brake.

If one desires to replace a spare tube in the punctured tyre before replacing the wheel back on the car, then lay the wheel on the ground, on a newspaper or anything handy, so as to keep dirt from getting into the tyre during operations. Examine outside of cover to see if any nail, etc., has caused the puncture, so that the object can be removed. One side of the cover should then be removed by pressing the edge of cover opposite the valve into the well of the rim. Then insert a tyre lever between the tyre and rim, adjacent to the valve, and still pressing down the opposite side of the tyre with the foot, gently prise the edge of the tyre over the edge of the rim. Very little effort is required, and excessive force should not be applied. The rest of the bead of the cover can generally then be easily removed, simply by working round the rim with the hands or lignt manipulation with the tyre lever. At uiis stage the tube can be withdrawn, after removing the valve securing nut and pressing the valve through the rim. In replacing a tube, first slightly inflate it, so as to allow the tube to slip into its proper position in the cover and to prevent its being trapped by the bead of the cover when it is put back. With the tube just inflated, but quite soft, refit the cover in opposite manner to that in which it was removed, starting at a point diametrically opposite the valve. The lever should be required only for the last few inches near the valve. Then inflate to correct pressure, taking care that the tyre is set true on the rim. This can generally be ascertained by noting one of the lines round the wall of the tyre. If it is not quite true, a light tap before the tyre is fully inflated, with a hammer or piece of wood, will generally centre the tyre correctly. Once the tyre is fully inflated, the valve nut should be tightened fully, to prevent water, grit, etc., getting into the tyre. The wheel is then ready for further service.