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Automobile
Wheels and Tires |
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 Wheels and tires form an
integral part of a vehicle. An automobile wheel has a circular frame
that has a capability of rotating on its axis thereby helping in the
movement of a vehicle. Wheels are available in a wide variety of
sizes, designs, and styles. Wheels are attached to an axle, which
are used for moving or turning wheel in a circular motion around a
point or fulcrum. There are different types of wheels available in
the market namely alloy wheel, wire wheel, chrome wheels, rubber
wheels, aluminum wheel, magnesium wheel and steel wheel. Automobile
tires are usually rubber tubes or more specifically pneumatic
enclosures affixed around a wheel which helps in facilitating
rotation of a vehicle. Almost all types of automobiles ranging from
two wheelers, cars, to airplanes use tires. Tires are filled with
air, which ultimately offers a flexible support to the vehicle.
Tires enhance the performance of an automobile by providing a smooth
and comfortable grip of the road. Mostly, tires are manufactured
using ductile elastomer material like rubber, fabric and wire.
Presently, more than one billion tires are manufactured annually in
the world with the three leading tire manufacturers occupying more
than 60% of a global market share.
Components
of Automotive Wheels and Tires 
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Automotive Wheels are those devices
that are circular in shape, surrounded by a rubber-based tire used
for moving a vehicle. These wheels respond very quickly to all types
of road conditions and provide uniform and frictionless riding.
There are diverse ranges of wheels used in automobiles but alloy
wheels and wire wheels are the most common.
Alloy
Wheel: Alloy Wheel As its name suggests,
alloy wheels are generally made up of aluminum alloy. Alloy
wheels have greater strength, lightweight, durable and
attractive. These aluminum-based wheels lessen the rotating mass
of suspension components of an automobile and ensure perfect
steering feel and effective braking response.
Wire
Wheel: Wire Wheel comprises of three
major components that are inner rings, outer rings, and a series
of spokes used for linking the inner rings and outer rings
together. Steel, brass, aluminum, iron, and other types of
metals can be used for making wire wheels. |
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Linkage Parts consists of many
devices, components or equipment used for joining, inter linking or
assembling the various parts of an automobile wheel and tire.
Linkage parts can be further
segregated into following categories:
Front
Axle: Front Axle Also known as steering
axle, the front axle is a supporting shaft through which set of
wheels rotates. Axle forms an essential part of a wheeled
vehicle, which is generally affixed in a position with bearings
or bushings inside a hole in a wheel of a vehicle
Rear
Axle: Rear Axle Often considered as dead
axle, this type of axle is placed at the front of another axle
called pusher axle. Rear axles are mostly used by trailers and
trucks to bear the heavy loads.
Tie
Rod: Tie Rod are metal-based bars used
for fastening, binding and linking the various components of a
wheel of the automobile.
Tie
Rod End: Tie Rod End refers to flexile
and tensile coupling placed in the steering linkage that are
further used for connecting the tie rods to the steering
knuckles. |
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Tires and Wheels
Accessories includes whole ensemble of supportive devices, equipment
or parts used along with automobile tires and wheels. These
accessories are useful in assembling, installing and protecting
automobile tires and wheels.
Some of the tires and wheel
accessories are:
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Automobile
Wheels and Tires Industry
Automobile
Wheels and Tires
