Uneven Tread Wear

217.187 Figure 11-27.—Rapid tread wear caused by overinflation. This not only scuffs off the thread, but also causes internal separation of the cords. Always be sure the aircraft is moving before you attempt a turn. This allows the tire to roll instead of scrape. You should make every effort to prevent oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, or other harmful materials from coming in contact with the tires. When there is a chance that harmful materials may come in contact with the tires during maintenance, they should be protected by covers. To clean tires that have come in contact with oil, grease, or other harmful material, you should use a brush or cloth saturated in a soap and water solution. Rinse well with tap water. Uneven Tread Wear If a tire shows signs of uneven or excessive tread wear, the cause should be investigated and the condition remedied before the tire is ruined. Some of the common causes of uneven tread wear are 217.188 Figure 11-28.—Rapid tread wear caused by misalignment. underinflation, overinflation, misalignment, and incorrect balance. UNDERINFLATION.—Underinflation causes the tire to wear rapidly and unevenly at the outer edges of the tread, as shown in figure 11-26. An underinflated tire develops higher temperatures during use than a properly inflated tire. This can result in tread separation or blowout failure. OVERINFLATION.—Overinflation reduces the tread contact area, causing the tire to wear faster in the center, as shown in figure 11-27. Overinflation increases the possibility of damage to the cord on impact with foreign objects and arresting cables on the runway or flight deck. MISALIGNMENT.—Figure 11-28 shows rapid and uneven tire wear caused by incorrect camber or 11-27