AUTOMOTIVE CHASSIS

Unit –V
Wheels & Tyres
 Introduction
Functions
• Only contact with ground
• Act as the primary suspension, cushioning the vehicle from
effects of rough surface.
• Provide frictional contact with the road surface which allows
the driving wheels to move the vehicle
• Front tyres allows the wheels to steer
• Tyres allow braking to slow or stop the vehicle
 Properties of tyres
• Non-skidding
• Uniform wear
• Load-carrying capacity
• Speed Capacity
• Cushioning
• Less power
consumption

• Noise
• Balance
 Terminology
• Steel Wheels – Most popular design. Very strong and cheap to produce.
• Alloy Wheels – Attractive and light weight, but expensive and difficult to clean.
• Spoked Wheels – Used on older vehicles. Cannot be fitted with tubeless tyres.
• Divided rims – Rims are made in two halves which are bolted together, (rims
must never be separated while the tyre is inflated)
• Split rims –Tyre is held in place by a large circlip
• Plies – Layers of strong fabric which are built up to give the tyre its strength
and shape
• Bead – loops of steel which are the anchor point for the plies
• Cross Ply Tyre – Main plies of the tyre run at an angle (45 degrees) from one
bead to the other
• Radial Ply Tyre – Main plies of the tyre run at 90 degrees from one bead to the
other
• Tread – Rubber pattern. Provides grip with the road surface and assists in
clearing water away
• Side Wall – Connects the beads to the tread of the tyre
 Parts
• Beads: Two rings that are made of steel wire and encased in rubber. They hold
tire side walls snugly against the rim and prevent tyre from coming off
• Body Plies: Rubberized fabric and cords wrapped around beads. Form carcass or
body of the tyre.
• Tread: Outer surface of the tyre that comes in contact with the road
 Parts
• Sidewall: Outer part of the tyre that extends from the bead to the tread.
• Marking on the sidewall provides the information about the tyre.
• Liner: Thin layer of rubber that is bonded to the inside of the plies. Provides a
leak proof membrane for tubeless tires.
• Belts: Used to strengthen the body plies and stiffen the tread.
• Lie between tread and plies
Tyre Cutaway
Types of carcass(Tread)

Cross ply (or) bias ply type.

Radial ply type.
Belted bias ply type.
Cross ply (or) bias ply type.
Radial ply type
Radial ply type.
Bias contact patch Radial contact patch
 Non-Directional Tyres
Uniform grooves
Can run in any direction

Unidirectional Tyres
Grooves are in one direction
Direction of rotation is clearly marked
Tube tyre
Cross-section of tubeless tyre
 Advantages of tubeless tyres
• Lesser unsprung weight.
• Better cooling
• Lesser rolling resistance
• Comfortable ride
• Slower leakage of air
• Simpler assembly
• Improved safety
Tread Patterns

Snow tyres
Competition
 Special Service Tyre
• Space-saver spare tyre
• Used to replace flat tyre
• Not used for tyre rotation
• Uses a special wheel
• Speed and pressure restrictions
apply
• It has no hub caps or wheel
covers
TYRE SIZE DETAILS

Load index
An assigned number ranging from 0 to 279 that corresponds to the load-carrying
capacity of a tyre.
 Load Rating
Load Load Load Load
Index (Kilograms) Index (Kilograms)
71 345 91 615
72 355 92 630
73 365 93 650
74 375 94 670
75 387 95 690
76 400 96 710
77 412 97 730
78 425 98 750
79 437 99 775
80 450 100 800
81 462 101 825
82 475 102 850
83 487 103 875
Speed Rating
Plus size maintains same diameter by using larger wheel and lower profile
 Wheel - Basics
• Most standard wheels are made of
steel.
• Some vehicles are fitted with alloy
wheels that are made of magnesium
or aluminum
• The rim holds the tyre.
• Well of the wheel allows the tyre to
be removed and refitted
• Centre section is welded to the rim Rim

Pilot bore fits to the hub.

Centre mounting section
Wheel - Basics
Two-piece Split Side
rings

Three-piece Flange or
Continuous rings

If any components are damaged the rim must be replaced

 Valve Stems and Cores
Functions – Retains air, allows inflation and deflation.
Rubber stem of the valve is pulled Valve core Valve stem
into the wheel.

Valve core contains a spring loaded air

Seat
valve insert.
washer
The valve core also has a sealing
washer and a seat washer.
Valve cap keeps out dust and helps
keep air in.

Tyre pressures must only be checked

Sealing
and adjusted when the tyre is cold
washer

Valve caps
 Wheel Fixings
Wheel studs and nuts attach the
wheel to the hub.

Wheel studs press through the Taper

hub or axle flange.

Taper on the wheel nuts secures

and centers the wheel.

Wheel studs usually have a right-hand

thread.
If it is a left-hand thread, it can be
marked with “L”.
Metric threads are marked with “M” or Wheel mounting
METRIC. Hub flange
 Wheel Nut
Torque
Correct torque of wheel fixing is vital for
all vehicles, and nearly all require the
use of a torque wrench.

Excessive torque can lead to wheel or

hub distortion, causing runout and
vibration.

Low torque may allow wheel nuts to

work loose and wheels to come off.

Torque
Nuts should always be tightened in a wrench
diagonal pattern.
Wheel Rim Size
 Run Flat Tires
• Temporarily supports
weight of vehicle even
with no air pressure
• Internal support, thicker
and stiffer side walls,
stronger beads.
• Can maintain Mobility
for upto 100 km at slow
speed (60 kmph)