Aircraft Wheel Assembly Maintenance

Although all parts of an aircraft are subject to wear and tear on a regular basis, wheels are often the most overlooked components despite their major role in operations. Aircraft wheel assembly components are crucial for safe flight, allowing for such vehicles to traverse the ground, land with cushioned impact forces, and much more. If wheels are not properly maintained and inspected on a regular schedule, they have the potential of breaking down or even exploding. As these issues can be highly detrimental and dangerous for those in and around the aircraft, it is crucial that operators understand the importance of aircraft wheel maintenance and replacement, as well as how it is conducted.

Due to the nature of tire damage and the hazards associated with it, one should always take advantage of a licensed mechanic who specializes in aircraft wheel assembly inspection and maintenance. This is because such personnel will be able to quickly identify signs of a problem, their potential cause, and the best course of action to remedy any outstanding issues. Additionally, they can even help you learn to identify common signs of poor wheel or tire quality, ensuring that you can catch issues early.

Generally, wheel assembly inspections can be conducted while the aircraft is fully shut-off, but more concerning issues will require disassembly so that a more thorough investigation can take place. As installation quality is a major part of wheel reliability and integrity, inspectors will check all tie bolts, nuts, and other fasteners for their security. If a single fastener is missing, then the assembly will need to be removed. Additionally, the wheel hub dust cap, anti-skid sensor, inboard wheel half, and brake keys will also be checked over for their security.

Once that is complete, each aircraft wheel assembly will be inspected for any signs of damage such as paint flaking, tire cracking, or wear from overheating. If there is any indication of major impact damage, missing components, or significant signs of overheating, a repair will need to be conducted so that the aircraft is safe to operate.

During the inspection of bearings, bearing cups, and other various hardware pieces, personnel will look for any signs of galling, spalling, overheating, brinelling, etching/corrosion, staining, or bruising. Generally, any of these conditions will be an immediate cause for part replacement to prevent the chance of an issue becoming worse. Issues like galling and spalling are often a result of physical wear and tear, sometimes stemming from two bearings coming into contact with one another. Excessive impacts can lead to other issues like brinelling and overheating, and any damage should be taken seriously for the safety of all personnel and passengers.

Aircraft wheel explosions are a major concern for safety, and they are generally a result of tire assemblies that are overinflated with excessive pressure. Typically, an overinflation pressure relief valve will prevent the tire assembly from reaching too high of a pressure; however, some models may not have such a safety feature. To prevent the rupturing of the wheel disc and any potential danger, one should follow standard preventative measures.

When an assembly is being inflated, personnel should always use a regulator to ensure that the right amount of nitrogen is added to each wheel. Inflation cages are also beneficial, and they are used to surround the assembly during the inflation stage so that any explosion is contained. Most repair stations will have inflation cages, and they should not be used when the wheel assembly is still attached to the aircraft itself. Alongside the use of such equipment, all personnel should also follow all safety procedures as dictated by wheel assembly maintenance manuals, aircraft maintenance manuals, and more.

Alongside such common procedures, there are various other tests and inspections that a qualified mechanic will conduct to ensure that your aircraft is always performing with high efficiency and safety. If you find yourself in need of replacement parts for your maintenance endeavors, take advantage of a reputable source for your procurement requirements. Luckily for you, ASAP Supply Chain is unrivaled in our ability to fulfill aircraft wheel assembly needs with top quality products that have been sourced from leading manufacturers from across the globe.

Whether you require nose wheel parts, tire pressure roller tools, wheel snubber products, or other such items, ASAP Supply Chain has you covered with competitive pricing and rapid lead-times on everything we offer! Take the time to explore our current set of offerings at your leisure, and you may take advantage of our Instant RFQ services to rapidly request quotes on items of interest with ease. With our AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation, we go above and beyond industry standards to guarantee high quality items with every purchase. Furthermore, we meet the time constraints of our customers with expedited shipping made possible through our expansive supply chain network. Experience the future of part procurement when you get in touch with an ASAP Supply Chain representative today!