FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B
Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices
Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-1B | 9. Aircraft Systems and Components | 1. Inspection and Maintenance of Landing Gear | 9-21. Wheel Installation
AC 43.13-1B CHG 1
Do not pry between wheel flanges and tire
beads as this can damage the wheel and tire.
Use caution when removing wheel bolts or
nuts.
9/27/01
NOTE: It is highly recommended that
the tire be placed in a cage so that if
the wheel fails, the mechanic is pro-
tected from injury.
Remove tire from wheel using a wheel de-
mounting fixture.
Valve stem, fusible plugs, wheel keys, heat
shields, balance weights, and associated hard-
ware should not be removed if demountable
flange only is to be removed for tire change.
Fusible plugs and bearing cups should not be
removed unless replacement is necessary, if
paint is to be stripped, or if a thorough inspec-
tion of the wheel is to be made.
When removal and replacement of fusible
plugs is required, remove by pressing out with
a blunt instrument such as a wooden rod. Ex-
ercise caution to ensure wheel sealing surfaces
are not damaged.
9-18. REASSEMBLING THE WHEEL.
The correct assembly of the wheel affects the
balance of the tire. After the wheel halves and
bolts/nuts have been inspected and found
serviceable, put a little talc on the tube and in-
sert it in the tire. Align the heavy spot of the
tube (usually marked with a yellow line) with
the light spot of the tire (usually marked with a
red dot). If the tube does not have a balance
mark, align the valve of the tube with the bal-
ance mark on the line. Remove the valve core
and inflate the tube momentarily to “seat” the
tube and let the air run out. Put one wheel half
in the tire and align the wheel half with the
valve hole up with the valve on the tube. In-
sert the other wheel half in the tire and align
the bolt holes. Insert the wheel bolts and
torque to the manufacturer’s recommended
value.
Again inflate the tube with 5 or 10 psi and let
the air out to re-seat the tube. Install the valve
core, and fill the tire to the recommended pres-
sure.
9-19. SLIPPAGE. To reduce the possibility
of tire and tube failure due to slippage, and to
provide a means of detecting tire slippage, tires
should be marked and indexed with the wheel
rim. Paint a mark one inch wide and two
inches long across the tire side wall and wheel
rim. Use a permanent type paint in a con-
trasting color, such as white, red, or orange.
Pre-flight inspection must include a check of
slippage marks for alignment. If the slippage
marks are not in alignment, a detailed inspec-
tion must be made, the reason determined, and
if necessary, the condition corrected before the
next flight.
NOTE: Mechanics should be aware
that retread tires can be diametrically
bigger than a “new” tire. While this
does not pose a problem on fixed
landing gear aircraft, it may pose a
problem on retractable gear aircraft.
Due to a 5 to 8 percent expansion of
the tire caused by the ambient tem-
perature, if a retread tire is installed
on a retractable gear aircraft, it is
strongly recommended that a retrac-
tion test be performed. This is to en-
sure the tire will not become wedged
in the wheel well during take-off and
landing operation.
9-20. WHEEL INSPECTION. Check
wheels for damage. Wheels that are cracked or
damaged must be taken out of service for re-
pair or replacement in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instruction manual.
Page 9-12
Par 9-18