Wheel & Tyre Accessories

Wheel and Tyre Accessories

There are many different types of wheel and tyre accessories, and each of them has a specific and unique purpose. Here are some of these accessories:

Wheel brace - Braces help in loosening bolts. This tool is crucial in changing car tyres.

Socket - Sockets can be used in the place of braces. The socket will need to be appropriately sized in order to successfully loosen the bolts. Also, it must have a long handle.

Bolts - Bolts mount the wheel on vehicles. They are commonly used in Europe. North American vehicles are mostly developed to work with studs. Bolts are generally cheaper to set-up since you only need two parts: the threaded hub and the bolt.

Regroovers - These are specialist tools that are used to cut the tyre to restore tread depth. With these tools, you can restore up to 25% of tread depth. Regrooving can help increase the life of your tyre significantly. You will be able to gain 30% extra mileage after this practice. For the best results, regrooving should strictly be done by a skilled technician. Also, the results will be affected by the quality of your tyre.

Tyre scrapers - These tools are used to clean all types of tyres in a fast and efficient way. Using unsuitable cleaning equipment will end up damaging your tyre, so you should consider removing debris with this tool.

Tyre cases - These cases protect your tyre from damage when stored in the garage. Also, they prevent your tyre from damaging the interior of your car when it is stored in your boot. These cases are especially important to owners of motorsport cars.

Tyre jackets - These jackets are fitted over your tyre to keep it clean and in good condition. They can be easily fit and removed from your tyre. These jackets come in different sizes, so be sure to pick one that can fit your tyre.

Spare wheel support - This tool is used to secure your spare wheel so that you can keep it in close reach for emergencies. At the same time, it keeps the wheel out of the way so that you can use your car normally.

Regroover blades - These are used to cut your tyre in the regrooving process.

Wheel holder - These tools secure your spare wheels. They are lightweight and have a sturdy construction. They are developed with clamps to secure the wheel, so you should be able to quickly access the wheel even in the dark.

Roadside puncture kit - These kits are essential to people who don’t have sufficient space for the storage of spare wheels. They usually contain slime tyre sealants to plug punctures. Also, you will get an air compressor to inflate the tyre. It is important to note that the slime tyre sealant will only work for punctures of up to 6mm in diameter. Once fixed, the sealant will plug any subsequent punctures for about two more years. That being said, if you ever get a new puncture on the same spot, you should get it permanently fixed.

Tyre warmers - This digital equipment is meant to get your tyre to a working temperature at the start line. Each tyre can be warmed to its own temperature.

What You Need to Know About Wheel Bolts

Because of the massive variation in the wheel and car types, a large variety of wheel bolts have been developed. It is important to understand these variations so that you can determine which type of bolt will fit your car. Here are two key aspects that you need to understand:

Hex Size

This is the distance between two opposite parallel points on the bolt. Most bolts have hex sizes of 17mm, 19mm, and 21mm. Knowing the hex size of your bolts will help you determine what size of spanner and socket you will use. It is important to note that not all hex sizes are available in all thread types.

Thread

The type of thread will be determined by the machine used to make it. It is important to inquire on the thread type since using the wrong one can damage your wheel bolts and car hub. The thread should also be long enough to fit your car. If you intend on installing wheel spacers on your car, you will usually need longer threads. Usually, the wheel spacer set will come with its own bolts, so you can use them as reference points when shopping for replacements.

Seating Types

It is important to always check the seating type of your bolts. There are three seating types available: 60-degree, round seat, and flat seat. The 60-degree type is the most common.