An auto repair shop’s wheel equipment is among the most important components needed for daily operation.

Each tool serves a unique purpose, often used for common maintenance needs. In the content below, we explore various types of wheel tools followed by discussing the signs that it’s time to replace wheel equipment in your auto shop. Throughout the article, we will also emphasize one of the most common pieces of wheel equipment: tire changer machines.

The Various Types of Wheel Equipment

Rim Straightener

Any number of items can damage a rim or wheel. Curbs, debris, potholes, road hazards, speed bumps, and the list of unprecedented, sometimes unavoidable, hazards goes on. Clients entering an auto repair shop with a bent rim tend to fear the worst: an expensive wheel replacement. However, functioning rim straighteners often make full wheel replacement unnecessary. In fact, if you operate an automotive or service shop with a rim straightener, you are often set apart from local competition as larger vehicles, SUVs, and luxury cars often require more expensive wheel repair.

Straightening a rim, rather than replacing one or more wheels in entirety, provides an economical and cost-effective option. Even if you consider yourself a self-proclaimed automotive enthusiast and perform repairs out of your garage, a rim straightener will serve as an excellent long-term investment.

Wheel Alignment

Proper wheel alignment is extremely important, and wheel alignment machines are a common commodity in both auto repair shops and in-home garages. In fact, even a miniscule misalignment can cause serious issues when turning the wheels or breaking. Symptoms of misaligned wheels such as uneven tire ware and wheel vibration severely stunt tire life. Therefore, good wheel alignment machines are essential for any automotive, repair, or home shop.

Wheel Balancers

For shops installing wheels, a properly functioning wheel balancer is indispensable. Simply due to the wheel manufacturing process, tires are imperfectly balanced after installation. As a result, imbalanced tires can cause shuddering and vibration while in movement.

Overall, balanced wheels are important for safe, comfortable driving and prolonged vehicle life. Furthermore, a properly working wheel balancer is imperative for any vehicle shop performing wheel repair and installation.

Tire Changer Machines

Tire changer machines are yet another essential component to an automotive shop, especially shops consistently performing wheel repairs. In comparison to manual installation, tire changer machines save time, energy, and manpower. Mechanics and repair shops accustomed to regularly utilizing a tire changer machine require a functioning tool.

When to Replace Wheel Equipment

Your automotive shop’s wheel equipment is crucial to operating a successful business with efficient mechanics and satisfied customers. If you own an at-home repair shop in your garage, know when it’s time to replace or repair your tools.

Tire Changer Machine Maintenance & Repair

Tire changer machines are one of the most common pieces of wheel equipment. As such, when a tire changer machine stops working properly, auto shop efficiency plummets. Is your machine leaking water from hoses or the bead breaker cylinder? Are the cylinders working slowly? Are your foot pedal spool valves leaking, sticking, or simply not responding? Each of these common problems are signs that your tire changer machine requires repair.

Performing simple maintenance on your tire changer machine can prevent issues. A few practical steps to keep your equipment running properly in the long run include:

• Ensure that your air compressor drains. Manually drain your air compressor every day or install a timed-release valve to regularly drain your tank.
• Install a reliable air dryer after your compressor, ensuring that moisture stays out of the air lines.
• Check oiler assemblies weekly, and fill when needed.

Simply put, wheel equipment requires regular maintenance and care to prolong life. The primary cause of tire changer machine issues stems from water leaking into the air lines and internal components. When this occurs, seals dry, and parts begin to fail.

While regular maintenance can prolong your tire changer’s lifetime, eventually parts will fail. Of course, down time in the auto repair industry can be detrimental to a business. If your shop utilizes any wheel equipment throughout daily operations, identifying a trustworthy wheel equipment repair parts company is crucial.

Replace Wheel Equipment Repair Parts

SVI International is an industry leader in repair parts, with a plethora of tire changer parts. Regardless of the make or model utilized in your shop, SVI can have or manufacture the proper equipment to efficiently resolve a repair. Below, we discuss a small sampling of SVI’s tire changer models. For every model, according to unique specifications, SVI carries mount/ demount heads, bead break seal kits, blast valves, and every other required part.

Coats Tire Changers

Coats, providing high-quality tire changers since 1947, provides a wide variety of tire changers, from the 10-10 Air-Flate to the 6050E. SVI provides repair parts for every model.

Focus Tire Changers

Focus offers tire changers for cars and heavy vehicles, innovative systems commonly found in auto repair shops. SVI readily supplies repair parts for four models: F21, F242 TI, F252 TI, and F28.

Atlas Tire Changers

Yet another well-known tire changer company, Atlas Automotive Equipment is found in many countries across the world. With competitive prices and superb quality, Atlas is a trustworthy brand. At SVI, we understand that the best automotive equipment is not easily or gladly replaced – thus, we carry repair parts for nine Atlas tire changer models: TC-221XL, TC-229, TC-289, TC-755, TC205, TC211, TC221, TTC-301, and TTC-303.

Tuxedo

Tuxedo Distributors offer tire changers for ATVs, motorcycles, cars, trucks, tractors, and earthmovers. SVI provides a broad collection of tire changer parts for eight primary models: TC-1300, TC-400M-B, TC-430, TC-530, TC-770-T, TC-950, TC-950-WPA, and TC-980.

As mentioned, the list above covers a fraction of the tire changer machine repair parts carried by SVI.

SVI International

At SVI International, we are dedicated to our clients. This is why we provide on-time delivery on in-stock parts, from any of our three, “ready ship” warehouses, located across the country.

If the tire changer you utilize is not covered in this content, you will likely find the correct machine while viewing our entire collection. Furthermore, our team is ready to assist you in your search for the proper repair parts! Please do not hesitate to reach out 800-321-8173. We’re always just a phone call away.