Osha Demounting and Mounting Procedures for Tubeless Truck and Bus Tires Poster

4A.Before  mounting,  be  sure  that  the  tire  is  prop -
erly matched to the rim. These photo examples show
the rim/wheel size stamp.
NEVERassemble a tire and rim unless
you have positively identified and correctly matched the
tire and rim diameter. If an attempt is made to seat the
tire bead by inflating on a mismatched rim/wheel, the tire
bead will break with explosive force and may result in se-
rious injury or death. 
4B. Identify  the  short  side  of  the  drop  center  well.
Single-piece tubeless rims and wheels must be mounted
from the short side of the drop center well. On steel disc
wheels,  the  short  side  is  typically  located  opposite  the
disc. Aluminum wheels typically have symmetrical drop
centers so tires can be mounted from either side. How-
ever,  on  certain  19.5-inch  aluminum  wheels,  the  short
side of the drop center well is located on the disc side.
4C. Place  the  wheel  on  the  floor with  the  short  side  of
the drop center well facing up.  Lubricatethe tire beads
and rim surfaces. 
4D. Push the tire on the rim opposite the valve stem and
use the curved end of the tire iron to pry the bottom bead
over the rim flange.
4E. Apply  pressure to  the  bead  opposite  the  valve  stem
making  sure  the  bead  is  completely  in  the  drop  center
well.
4F. Taking small bites, use the curved end of the tire
iron to pry the top bead over the rim flange. Keep
the bead in the drop center well with your foot or a bead-
locking  device.  Continue  until  the  top  bead  is  fully
mounted over the rim flange.	
MOUNTING TIRE ON RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY	
DEMOUNTING AND MOUNTING PROCEDURES 
DEMOUNTING AND MOUNTING PROCEDURES 
FOR TUBELESS TRUCK AND BUS TIRES
FOR TUBELESS TRUCK AND BUS TIRES	
TIRE AND RIM SERVICING CAN BE DANGEROUS AND MUST ONLY BE 
PERFORMED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL USING PROPER PROCEDURES AND TOOLS. 
FA I L U R E   TO   R E A D   A N D   C O M P LY   W I T H   A L L   O F   T H E S E   P R O C E D U R E S  MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU AND OTHERS.	
Completely  deflate  any  tire  by  removing
the  valve  core  before  removing  the
tire/wheel  assembly  from  the  axle  if  there
is known or suspected damage to the tire or
wheel  or  if  the  tire  has  been  operated  at
80% or less of its recommended operating
pressure.  Demount,  inspect  and  match  all
tire and rim parts before re-inflating in a re-
straining device.	NEVER use  starter  fluid,  ether,  gasoline,
or other flammable materials and/or accel -
erants to lubricate or to seat the beads of a
tire.  This  practice  can  cause  the  explosive
separation  of  the  tire/wheel  during  servic-
ing or during highway use, which may result
in serious injury or death.	NEVER inflate beyond 40 psi to seat any
tire beads.  NEVERstand, lean, or reach over
the tire rim/wheel assembly in the restrain-
ing device during inflation. Even if a tire is in
a restraining device, inflating beyond 40 psi
when trying to seat the beads is a DANGER-
OUS  PRACTICE  that  may  break  a  tire  bead
or  the  rim/wheel  with  explosive  force  and
possibly result in serious injury or death. 	Any inflated tire mounted on a wheel con-
tains explosive energy. The use of damaged,
mismatched  or  improperly  assembled  tire
and  wheel  components  can  cause  the  as -
sembly  to  separate  with  explosive  force.  If
struck  by  an  exploding  tire,  wheel  compo-
nent,  or  the  air  blast,  you  or  someone  else
may be seriously injured or killed.	Mismatching  tire  and  rim  diameters  is
dangerous.  A  mismatched  tire  and  rim  as -
sembly may separate and can result in seri -
ous injury or death. This warning applies to
15”  and  15.5”,  16”  and  16.5”,  18”  and
18.5”, 22” and 22.5”, 24” and 24.5” tire and
rim  assemblies  as  well  as  other  sized  as -
semblies. NEVERassemble  a  tire  and  rim
unless you have positively identified and cor-
rectly matched the tire and rim diameter.	NEVER assemble  a  tire  and  rim  unless
you  have  positively  identified  and  correctly
matched the tire and rim diameter. If an at-
tempt  is  made  to  seat  the  tire  bead  by  in -
flating on a mismatched rim/wheel, the tire
bead will break with explosive force and may
result in serious injury or death. 	
DEFLATING AND DEMOUNTING TIRE FROM RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY	
2A.  Identify  the  short  side  of  the  drop  center  wheel
well. Single piece tubeless rims and wheels must be de -
mounted from the short side of the drop center well. On
steel disc wheels, the short side is typically located oppo-
site the disc. Aluminum wheels typically have symmetri-
cal  drop  centers  so  tires  can  be  demounted  from  either
side. However, on certain 19.5-inch aluminum wheels, the
short  side  of  the  drop  center  well  is  located  on  the  disc
side.
2B.  Unseat  and  lubricate  both  beads.  Position  the  as-
sembly with the short side of the drop center well facing
up. 
2C. Insert  tire  irons  on  either  side  of  the  valve  stem  ap -
proximately  6  inches (152  mm)  apart.  Pry  the  top  bead
over  the  rim  flange  and  force  the  bead  opposite  the  tire
irons in the drop center well. 
2D.  Remove  one  tire  iron  and  insert  the  curved  end
between  the  bead  and  rim. Pry  the  rest  of  the  top
bead  over  the  rim  flange.  Repeat  this  process  until  the
first bead is entirely free from the rim. 
2E. Stand the tire on its tread.  Slide the flat end of the tire
iron between the bead and the rim flange; make sure the
tip is completely over the rim flange. Remove solid flange. 
2F. Pry the tire iron and allow the rim/wheel to drop.
IMPORTANT! Make sure your feet are clear of the
rim.  If necessary, rock or bounce the assembly to remove
the tire from the rim/wheel. For aluminum wheels, a rub -
ber mat should be placed on the floor to prevent damage
to the mounting surface of the wheel.T U B ELE S S; SIN GLE PIE C E
2
2• 
ALWAYS completely deflate the tire assembly before attempting to
demount. Remove the valve core and insert a wire down the valve
stem to ensure complete deflation. NEVER demount a tire from a
rim unless you are sure it is completely deflated. • 
Loosen  beads by  using  a  slide  impact  bead  unseating  tool,  duck
bill hammer with a rubber mallet, or other bead unseating tool. Both
beads must be loosened before demounting a tire.	
T U B ELE S S; SIN GLE PIE C E4
4	
PLEASE NOTE:  THIS IS CHART 1 OF A 3-CHART SET. BE SURE TO ALSO READ, UNDERSTAND AND COMPLY WITH 
CHART 2 RE: DEMOUNTING AND MOUNTING PROCEDURES FOR TUBE-TYPE TRUCK AND BUS TIRES, AND CHART 3 RE: MULTI-PIECE RIM MATCHING	
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE TIRE SERVICING TOOLS — 	STOP!	TIRE SERVICING MUST ONLY BE PERFORMED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL. 
FA I L U R E   TO   F O L L OW   P R O P E R   P R O C E D U R E S   C A N   R E S U LT   I N   S E R I O U S   I N J U R Y   O R   D E AT H .	
BEFORE SERVICING ANY TIRE RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY	•  ALWAYS  comply  with  the  procedures on  this  chart  and  in  the
tire/wheel manufacturer's catalogs, instruction manuals or other
industry and government instructional materials. 
•  Use a non-flammable vegetable or soap-based rubber lubricant
on  the  beads  and  rim  surfaces  to  make  tire  demounting  and
mounting easier. 
•  Use  proper  tools  to  demount  or  mount  tires  and  rims (refer  to
“Typical Tire Service Tools”).  NEVERstrike the tire/wheel assem -
bly with a steel duck bill hammer to unseat the beads and do not
strike the head of the hammer with another hard-faced hammer  –
use  a  rubber  mallet  or  plastic  dead  blow  hammer.  Slide  impact bead unseating tools are the preferred tools for unseating beads
on tubeless tires.
•  NEVER reinflate any tire that has been operated in a run-flat or
underinflated  condition (i.e.,  operated  at  80%  or  less  of  recom -
mended operating pressure). Demount, inspect and match all tire
and rim components before reinflating in a restraining device with
the valve core removed.
•  If an emergency puncture repair inflater was used on a tubeless
tire, deflate and reinflate the tire several times to remove poten-
tially explosive propellant before servicing the tire.
•
ALWAYS wear adequate protective eyewear (or
face  shield),  protective  footwear,  and  ear  pro -
tection while servicing tires to avoid injury.
• NEVER use a tire tool for anything except de-
mounting and mounting tires. •
NEVER use an extension or “cheater” bar with
tire irons. 
• ALWAYS use soft-faced hammers when driving
tire irons or assembling components. 
• NEVER use a hammer with a loose or cracked
handle.  •
NEVER use a bent, cracked, chipped, dented or
mushroomed  tool.  Keep  tools  clean  and  in -
spect them frequently. 
• NEVER alter  or  apply  heat  to  any  tire  serv ice	
tool. 	
1
1	
2B
2B
2D
2D
2C
2C
2E
2E
2E 
2E 	
Reverse Angle
Reverse Angle	2F
2F	
•
ALWAYS conduct a visual and tactile inspection of the tire.
• LOOK and FEEL for  any  damage  or  evi-
dence  of  being  operated  overloaded
and/or in a run-flat condition (80% or less
of recommended operating inflation pres -
sure).	
Photo 3A is an example of innerliner damage
created by an underinflated and overloaded condition.
Radial tires that have undulations or
irregular sidewall distortions  could possibly have per-
manent  sidewall  structural  damage  (steel  cord  fa-
tigue).  Ply  cords  weakened  by  underinflation  and/or
overloading may break one after another, until a rup -
ture occurs in the upper sidewall with accompanying
instantaneous air loss and explosive force. This can re -
sult in serious injury or death. Follow tire industr y recommended inspection procedures
for tires with these characteristics.  Photo 3B is an example of sidewall undulations in -
dicative of a potential “zipper rupture”.	
• Remove  rust,  dirt,  or  foreign  material  from  all  tire  and  wheel
mating surfaces.
• Inspect rim/wheel.  NEVERuse any single-piece rims/wheels that are
worn, bent, cracked, or pitted by corrosion. Clearly mark and remove
all  unserviceable  parts  from  the  service  area.  See  examples  in  3C
and 3D.
• DO NOT rework, weld, heat or braze any rim parts or components
for any reason.	
INSPECTING TIRE AND RIM/WHEEL COMPONENTS	3
3	
ANY INFLATED TIRE MOUNTED ON A WHEEL CONTAINS EXPLOSIVE ENERGY. THE USE OF DAMAGED, MISMATCHED OR IMPROPERLY 
ASSEMBLED TIRE AND WHEEL COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE THE ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE WITH EXPLOSIVE FORCE. IF STRUCK BY AN  EXPLODING TIRE, WHEEL COMPONENT, OR THE AIR BLAST, YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.	
4B
4B	Aluminum Wheel
Aluminum Wheel
Steel Wheel
Steel Wheel
19.5-in Aluminum Wheel
19.5-in Aluminum Wheel	
4C
4C
4D
4D
4E
4E
4F
4F	
BEFORE INFLATING 
TIRE RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY, 
THE TIRE MUST BE PROPERLY MOUNTED.	
1. Before inflating any tire rim/wheel as-
sembly,  be  sure  to  read,  understand  and
comply with ALL WARNINGS.
2. After mounting the tire on the rim, use a com-
pressed  air  tank  with  quick  release  valve  to
seal the beads.  Do not exceed 5 psi before
placing  the  assembly  in  a  restraining
device. 
3. Place the assembly in an OSHA-compli -
ant restraining device , such as a tire safety
cage. Photo 5A is an example of one type of a
restraining  device.  Manufacturers  recom -
mend that restraining devices be freestanding
and  located  at  least  one  foot  away  from  any
flat or solid surface.
4. Inflate  the  tire,  with  the  valve  core  re -
moved , using a clip-on air chuck with an in-
line valve or pressure regulator and a sufficent
length of hose.  Inflate to 20 psi in restrain-
ing device. 
IMPORTANT! Look  for  distortions,  undulations,  or  other  irregularities  in  the
tire sidewall, such as in Photo 5C. Listen for any popping or snapping sounds. If
ANY of these conditions are present —  STOP!DO  NOT approach tire. Before re -
moving from restraining device, completely deflate tire remotely. Remove clip-on
air  chuck.  Mark  tire  as  damaged  for  potential  “zipper  rupture”.  Render  tire  un -
servicable, non-repairable and scrap. 
5. Visually inspect tire rim/wheel assemblies throughout the inflation process
for improper seating. When inflating a tire, stay out of the trajectory. See “Tra- jectory”  WARNING  below. 
DO  NOTstand  or  lean
any  part  of  your  body  against,  or  reach  over,  the  re -
straining device during inflation.
6. Continue  to  inflate  until  the  beads  are
seated on the rim/wheel. Inspect both sides of the
tire  to  be  sure  that  the  beads  are  evenly  seated.
NEVER inflate beyond 40 psi to seat any tire beads.
If the beads are not seated at 40 psi —  STOP!Com-
pletely  deflate,  remove  from  the  restraining  device,
and determine the problem. Reposition the tire on the
rim, relubricate, and reinflate.  
7. After the tire beads are seated, continue to
inflate the tire  to its recommended inflation pres-
sure.  IMPORTANT! Look  for  distortions,  undula -
tions, or other irregularities in the tire sidewall, such
as  in  Photo  5D.  Listen  for  any  popping  or  snapping
sounds.  If  ANY  of  these  conditions  are  present  —
STOP! DO  NOT approach  tire.  Before  removing
from  restraining  device,  completely  deflate  tire  re -
motely. Remove clip-on air chuck. Mark tire as dam-
aged for potential “zipper rupture”. Render tire unservicable, non-repairable and
scrap.
8. If none of these “zipper” conditions are present,  remove clip-on air chuck, in-
stall the valve core, and adjust the inflation pressure to the recommended
operating inflation pressure. 
9. Before removing the tire rim/wheel assembly from the restraining device, al-
ways visually inspect for proper seating of the beads and all parts. 	
10. Conduct a final inspection. Check for air leaks. Install a suitable valve cap.	
TIRE AND RIM SERVICING CAN BE DANGEROUS AND MUST ONLY BE PERFORMED BY TRAINED 
PERSONNEL USING PROPER PROCEDURES AND TOOLS. FAILURE TO READ AND COMPLY 
WITH ALL OF THESE PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU AND OTHERS.	
TRAJECTORY	THE AIR PRESSURE CONTAINED IN A TIRE IS DANGEROUS. THE SUDDEN RELEASE
OF THIS PRESSURE BY A TIRE BLOW-OUT OR SIDE RING SEPARATION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.  STAY OUT OF THE TRAJECTORY AS INDICATED BY THE SHADED AREA DEPICTED IN THE GRAPHICS. 
WHEN INSTALLING THE TIRE RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY OUT OF THE TRAJECTORY.  HOWEVER, AT ALL OTHER TIMES YOU AND ALL OTHERS MUST STAY OUT OF THE TRAJECTORY.
NEVER
use starter fluid, ether, gasoline, or other flam -
mable materials and/or accelerants to lubricate or to seat the beads
of  a  tire.  This  practice  can  cause  the  explosive  separation  of  the
tire/wheel during servicing or during highway use, which may result
in serious injury or death.
ALWAYSinflate the tire rim/wheel assembly in a re-
straining device with the valve core removed. The air line assembly
must consist of the following components: a clip-on air chuck, an in-
line valve with a pressure gauge or presettable regulator, and suffi -
cient hose length to keep the technician outside the trajectory during
inflation.  (See  “Trajectory”  WARNING below.)  DO  NOTrest  or  lean
any part of your body against the restraining device during inflation.
Failure to use a restraining device when inflating a tire rim/wheel as -
sembly is not only a violation of OSHA regulation 1910.177, but also a DANGEROUS PRACTICE that may result in serious injury or death.
During inflation, if ANY sidewall undulations or bulges
appear  or  if  ANY  snapping,  cracking  or  popping  noises 
occur  —  STOP!DO NOT approach  tire.  Before  removing  from  re -
straining  device,  completely  deflate  tire  remotely.  Remove  clip-on
air chuck. Mark tire as damaged for potential “zipper rupture”. Ren-
der tire unservicable, non-repairable and scrap.
NEVERinflate  beyond  40  psi  to  seat  any  tire  beads.
NEVER stand,  lean,  or  reach  over  the  tire  rim/wheel  assembly  in
the restraining device during inflation.  Even if a tire is in a restrain-
ing device, inflating beyond 40 psi when trying to seat the beads is
a  DANGEROUS  PRACTICE  that  may  break  a  tire  bead  or  the
rim/wheel with explosive force and possibly result in serious injury
or death.	
S TE P -B Y-S TE P IN FLA TIO N PR O CED UR ES	
NOTE: Under some circumstances, the trajectory may deviate from its expected path.	
Use a carpenter square and a credit card to 
examine rim diameter. 	
By using the carpenter square and the credit card on this wheel, it is more clear that therim diameter has been reduced so the wheel should not be used. See WARNING below.	
3A
3A
3B
3B	
In  the  examples  at
right,  a  rim  flange
wear  guage  can  be  used  to
determine if the rim flange is
acceptable  for  service.  The
guage reads “Daylight in this
area is an acceptable rim.”	
	
3C
3C 3D
3D	
5A
5A
5B
5B
5C
5C
5D
5D	
2A   
2A   	Steel Wheel
Steel Wheel
Aluminum Wheel
Aluminum Wheel
19.5-in Aluminum Wheel
19.5-in Aluminum Wheel	
4A
4A	
5
5	INFLATING TIRE RIM/WHEEL ASSEMBLY	
www.osha.gov • (800) 321-OSHA (6742) 
•TTY (877) 889-5627	
You have a right to a safe workplace.
If you think your job is unsafe and you have questions, call OSHA. It’s confidential. We can help!	
OSHA 3401 10R-11	
THIS CHART MUST BE PRINTED ATLEAST 2’ x 3’  MINIMUM SIZE	.