Every car needs tires in order to operate. Tires provide a cushion between the driver and the road, a tread that reduces the likelihood of damage to the tires or the car itself. They are also vital because they help keep the car’s suspension and engine stable. There are many different kinds of tires for different kinds of cars.
There are three main categories of car rims: the wheel, the tire, and the hub. The wheel is the largest component, because it is mounted directly to the car and its wheels. The wheel can have numerous components such as an axial screw, main lug, hub flange, brake hanger, etc. Most tire designs have their own set of wheel nuts and lug nuts, which attach the tire to the wheel.
Tires fit into the rims through the center bore. The center bore is the space between the inside edge of the wheel and the inside lip of the rim. The inner lip of a rim is made from metal, which is bent into grooves by the wheel. Corner rims are especially useful for high performance vehicles because they usually have little or no center bore to protect the wheels. Most performance vehicles have aftermarket rims that replace the stock ones.
The tire and rims are connected through the pressure casting process. Pressure casting is a fancy name for pouring molten metal into molds to form solid objects. There are several different types of pressure casting techniques including gravity casting, solids cast, and gas cast. Gravity casting is the most common method for producing tires. This procedure allows for higher levels of precision than solids and gas cast designs.
Next, the wheels and the rims are installed into the vehicle. The vehicle’s suspension system is then fitted with the new tires. The bolts on the rims must be of the same size as the wheel bolts, and the valve stems must be of the same bolt pattern. Once all the components are installed, the car can now be driven off the lot.
To keep the rims looking as good as new, they need to be properly maintained. Each time a wheel is changed, the valve stems need to be inspected for signs of rust. Rust can compromise the strength of a rim, reducing its ability to properly grip the road. In addition to inspecting the bolts and the valve stems, owners should also inspect the wheel spindle. Cleaning the rims and installing new tires are sufficient maintenance procedures for keeping a car’s wheels in great shape.