Ranger 4WD V6-3.0L VIN U (1997)
Wheels: Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
TIRES
1. To maximize tire performance, inspect for signs of improper inflation and uneven wear, which may indicate a need for balancing, rotation, or front
suspension alignment.
2. Check tires for:
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cuts
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stone bruises
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abrasions
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blisters
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embedded objects
3. More frequent inspections are recommended when rapid or extreme temperature changes occur, or where road surfaces are rough or occasionally
littered with debris.
4. Tread wear indicators are moulded into bottom of thread grooves. Replace tire when indicator bends become flush with tread.
WHEELS
During Tire Inspection
1. Check all metal surfaces throughly while making tire inspections. Watch for:
a. Excessive rust or corrosion buildup.
b. Cracks in metal.
c. Bent flanges, resulting from road obstructions.
d. Loose, missing or damaged lug nuts.
e. Bent or stripped wheel bolts.
WARNING: ALLOYS OR METAL SURFACES WITH CRACKS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. THESE COMPONENTS COULD FAIL
WITHOUT WARNING DURING INFLATION OR LATER ON THE VEHICLE. DESTROY ALL PARTS THAT ARE CRACKED.
2. Remove and discard damaged wheels.
3. Replace parts as required.
4. Inflate tires only to recommended air pressures.
5. Check the lug nuts and retighten.
During Tire Changes
1. Check all metal surfaces. Watch particularly for the following items:
a. Cracks in the wheel bead seat. These are caused by overloading and overinflating tires or using larger than recommended tire sizes.
b. Cracks in the wheel disc, between the wheel bolt holes or hand holes and also check for damaged wheel bolt hole cone seats. These are caused
by loose lug nuts, improper installation procedures or the use of incorrect sizes or type of attaching parts.
2. Replace the parts as necessary.
CAUTION: Make sure replacements are made with the proper sizes and types of wheels.
3. Thoroughly remove dust, dirt and other foreign materials from all surfaces. Hand or electric wire brushes, sand blasting or chemical baths may be
used. Bead seat area of wheel should be free of rust and rubber deposits. This is especially important for drop-center tubeless wheel, because the
bead seat is the air-sealing element.
4. Paint wheel by brush or spray with a fast-drying metal primer. Surfaces should be clean and dry prior to painting. Make sure bare metal area on the
outside or tire side of the wheel is covered. This is especially important on drop-center tubeless wheels because warm and sometimes moist air is
in constant contact with the metal surface on the tire side of the wheel.
WARNING:
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WHEN PAINTING USED WHEELS, DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF PAINT. THIS COULD CAUSE LUG NUT
LOOSENING WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE WHEEL FAILURE OR LOOSE WHEELS, WHICH COULD LEAD
TO A SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL INJURY.
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WHEN PAINTING WHEELS, ALWAYS ALLOW THE PARTS TO DRY COMPLETELY PRIOR TO MOUNTING. IF THE
PAINT IS NOT DRY WHEN THE WHEEL IS MOUNTED, TORQUE VALUES WILL NOT BE MAINTAINED BECAUSE OF
THE PAINT BEING "FORCED OUT."
5. Lubricate the tire side of the wheel base with Rubber Lubricant D9AZ-19583-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M186-A (the
approved Ford supplier is McGear Rohco, Inc., under trade mark McGear Tire Lube 33) just prior to mounting tire. Avoid the use of any lubricant
which contains water or solvent that is damaging to rubber. A combination lubricant and rust-preventive compound is preferable. This protective
measure is of particular importance with drop-center tubeless wheels as the air in the tire is contained by the tire-side wheel surface.
6. Inflate tire only to recommended air pressure.
