Tire & Wheel Equipment History
Tire changers, wheel balancers, bead tools and TPMS service gear.
When was Hunter Engineering founded?
Short answer: Hunter Engineering was founded in 1946 in St.
Hunter Engineering was founded in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri. It became a major maker of wheel alignment and balancing equipment.
How did wheel balancing evolve?
Short answer: Early balancing used static bubble balancers that detected heavy spots.
Early balancing used static bubble balancers that detected heavy spots. Dynamic spin balancers became common because they correct imbalance across the tire's width.
Why were bubble balancers once common in tire shops?
Short answer: Bubble balancers show static imbalance using a level bubble while the wheel rests on the balancer.
Bubble balancers show static imbalance using a level bubble while the wheel rests on the balancer. They were common before computerized spin balancers, which measure dynamic imbalance more accurately.
How did tire changers develop?
Short answer: Tires were once changed by hand with tire irons and bead breakers.
Tires were once changed by hand with tire irons and bead breakers. Powered tire changers became common in shops in the mid-twentieth century, and later designs added features to protect alloy wheels and handle low-profile tires.
Why were tire irons widely used before tire changers?
Short answer: Tire irons pry tires on and off rims, and they were the standard tool before powered tire changers became common.
Tire irons pry tires on and off rims, and they were the standard tool before powered tire changers became common. They are still used for some motorcycle, bicycle and roadside work.
How did bead breaker designs evolve?
Short answer: Early bead breakers were manual lever or hammer-style tools.
Early bead breakers were manual lever or hammer-style tools. Pneumatic bead breakers became standard on tire changers, making it easier to break stiff beads.
When did 3D camera alignment systems become common?
Short answer: 3D alignment systems use cameras and wheel targets to measure alignment angles.
3D alignment systems use cameras and wheel targets to measure alignment angles. They became common in the 2000s, offering faster setup than older sensor heads.
When did road force balancers appear in tire shops?
Short answer: Road force balancers press a roller against a spinning tire to measure uniformity under load.
Road force balancers press a roller against a spinning tire to measure uniformity under load. They appeared in the late 1990s and early 2000s and became popular for diagnosing vibrations that standard balancing could not fix.
How did tire plug kits evolve?
Short answer: Tire plug kits have long been used for quick repairs of punctures.
Tire plug kits have long been used for quick repairs of punctures. Industry guidance later favored combination plug-patch repairs from inside the tire as the proper permanent repair.
How did tire patch repairs evolve?
Short answer: Tire patches were common when tires had inner tubes.
Tire patches were common when tires had inner tubes. Modern tubeless tire repairs typically use plug-patch combinations installed from inside the tire.
Why were tire inflation cages introduced?
Short answer: Inflation cages protect technicians during tire inflation.
Inflation cages protect technicians during tire inflation. They became important because multi-piece and split-rim wheels could separate violently during inflation.
How long have four-way lug wrenches been around?
Short answer: Cross-shaped four-way lug wrenches have been common for decades, giving four socket sizes and good leverage.
Cross-shaped four-way lug wrenches have been common for decades, giving four socket sizes and good leverage. They remain popular alongside impact tools.
Why did TPMS service tools become necessary?
Short answer: TPMS service tools activate and program tire pressure sensors.
TPMS service tools activate and program tire pressure sensors. They became necessary after TPMS was required in U.S. vehicles following the TREAD Act.
What was the TREAD Act?
Short answer: The TREAD Act of 2000 led to U.S. requirements for tire pressure monitoring systems.
The TREAD Act of 2000 led to U.S. requirements for tire pressure monitoring systems. TPMS became required on new light vehicles in the 2000s.
How long have valve core tools been used in tire service?
Short answer: Valve core tools have long been used to remove and install the threaded valve cores in tire valve stems.
Valve core tools have long been used to remove and install the threaded valve cores in tire valve stems. Similar tools are also used for A/C service ports.
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.