TM 9-2610-200-14
2-19
CHAPTER 2. CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND INSPECTION (Con't)
SECTION III. UNIT MAINTENANCE (Con't)
2-23. TIRE INSPECTION (Con't).
b. INSPECTION OF TIRE SIDEWALLS.
Inspect tire sidewalls for the following conditions. If any of these deficiencies are noted the tire must be
removed from service immediately.
(1) Damaged tire cord or wider than normal wire spacing which is indicated by a radial (up &
down), pencil shaped bulges in the sidewall.
(2) Scrapes, gouges or cuts in the sidewall which expose cords or are 2/32nd inch deep or more.
(3) Snow chain damage, which is indicated by numerous pock marks around the tire in the
upper sidewall and crown areas.
(4) Sidewall separation, which is indicated by irregular shaped bulge, or in severe conditions
progress into breaks or cracks, in the middle or upper sidewall areas.
(5) Weatherchecking cracks, which extend to the cord body or 2/32nd inch deep or which have 2
or more cracks that, connect and have joined into one straight or arced line. Most
weatherchecking is only cosmetic damage and the actual amount of weatherchecking cracks in
a sidewall is not as important as the depth and pattern of the cracks.
(6) Indications of circumferential cord fatigue and eventual sidewall rupture (also known as
Zipper rupture). Indicators are circumferential cracks or very subtle bumps in a even
circumferential arced line which can be felt when gently rubbing the mid or upper sidewall.
(7) Nails or other foreign objects lodged into the tire sidewall which extend 2/32nd inch or
deeper or to the cord body.
c. INSPECTION OF TIRE TREAD AND SHOULDERS.
Inspect tire tread crown areas and shoulders for the following conditions. If any of these deficiencies are
noted the tire must be removed from service immediately.
(1) Nails or other foreign objects lodged into the tread lugs, which extend to the cord body.
(2) Nails or other foreign objects lodged into the tread groove areas which extend 2/32nd inch or
deeper or to the cord body.
(3) Cuts in tread or shoulder area that are deeper than the tread base or tread groove, usually
360 degrees around the tire and caused from interference from other vehicle components.
(4) Belt lift and separation, which is indicated by a bulge or split through the upper sidewall and
tread shoulder area.
