How to Replace Aircraft Inner Tubes
- 1). Block the wheels of the aircraft with wheel chocks. Loosen any wing tie-down straps to allow the aircraft to lift. Refer to your aircraft owner's manual for the proper jack position on the landing gear strut. Place the strut lift jack in position and lift it up to meet the strut, but do not lift the aircraft. Use a deflation cap to deflate the tire completely.
- 2). Raise the strut with the jack so the tire clears the ground. Remove the cotter pin (if present) on the axle nut with wire cutters if the axle nut is castellated, or bend the locking tabs out if the nut has a lock ring. Use a socket wrench to loosen and remove the axle wheel nut. Pull the wheel off the axle. Use a socket wrench to remove the rim bolts that hold the wheel halves together.
- 3). Gently pry the rim halves out of the tire bead. Retain the rim o-ring from the split halves and clean it with a rag. Use an end wrench to remove the nut holding the valve stem core to the rim, if so equipped. Remove the old inner tube.
- 4). Use dish-washing soap, a bucket and a brush to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the rims, as well as the tire interior and exterior. Wipe the tire and rims completely dry with a towel. Dust the inside of each rim as well as the new inner tube with talcum powder.
- 5). Place the new inner tube inside the tire and place the side of the rim half that has the valve core against the tire bead, aligning it with the valve-stem hole. Pull the valve stem through the hole and secure the nut with an end wrench. Lubricate the tire beads with aircraft tire bead lubricant.
- 6). Place the o-ring back in its rim groove, which seals the joint of the two rim halves. Position the red manufacturer's balance dot on the tire so it aligns with the yellow stripe on the tube. If the tube has no stripe, align the valve stem on the tube with the red dot. Make sure the tube sits well inside the rim halves and will not be pinched when the halves join.
- 7). Align the rim holes and secure the bolts in place by hand. Use a torque wrench to tighten the rim bolts to specifications (consult your aircraft owner's manual). Place the tire inside a small tire cage. Hook a 30-foot length of compressor hose to the tire valve stem.
- 8). Use a remote valve to inflate the tire to specification. Unhook the hose at the tire and use a deflation cap to release the air pressure in the tire. Hook the pressure hose back up to the valve stem and fill the tire again to specifications using the remote valve.
- 9). Unhook the pressure hose. Wipe dish-washing soap over the inner and outer beads of the tire with a rag and look for any bubbles to check for leaks. Take the tire to the aircraft and mount it on the axle. Replace the axle nut and tighten it down to specifications with a torque wrench.
- 10
Replace the cotter pin (if present) and flare its ends with wire cutters, or bend the locking tab back into position. Lower the strut jack. Use a tire gauge to check the tire for proper inflation after 12 hours.
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