Tire Clips Function

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

What is the function of the 5 metal clips spaced evenly around the rim on my '52 M? I think Carter and I had this conversation at Sussex a few months ago.....but my memory is really getting bad I don't remember what we said. Was it to provide a way to break the bead easily....or did they have some function related to the rim lock? I don't see them on later trucks, so they must have been discontinued or not replaced when tires were changed. Anybody know what they're for??

thanks,
bob

[skinnedknuckles]

Didn't they serve as a sort of bead lock. I know they don't make it any easier to break the tire down they get in the way

[DAP]

Yes they were apain when disassembling the tire and they were quickly abandonded

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

So if they functioned as the bead locking device.....how did they do away with it? What I mean is if the 5 clips were what were holding the outer ring to the inner wheel....how can you eliminate them? What will the outer ring grab onto? I only see one part number for the outer ring in the ORD9 and it doesn't say the clips were only used thru a certain serial number.

thanks,
bob

[mike_l]

As I understood, the bead clips were a redundant safety feature. The ring holds to the rim securely when correctly assembled. I remember reading in a PS magazine, circa '54, that the bead clips were going away.

[w30bob]

Hi Mike,

Ok...redundancy makes sense. Thanks!!

regards,
bob

[Carter]

Bob, having been told the clips were to assist in tire removal I told you the same thing and found out here that I was wrong, sorry for giving bad info.

[Sal]

Does anyone have a picture of these Tire clips ? I have never seen them . I was in the service in the early 70's and never came across anything like your describing ...

Sal

[Paul in Kempner, TX]

I hope this picture is what you are looking for. I'm a little confused about your request for a picture when you say your M37 has 5 clips per wheel. By now, I'm sure you know from YOUR TM that there were six (6) clips per wheel, not five. Usually having the item in front of you provides the best information. How about a picture of one of your clips?

Picture from ORD 9 SNL G-741, Part Group 13... CLIP, bead, 9.00-16 tire, Part Number 520800



Mounting instructions at Paragraph 229 (starts on page 355 of YOUR TM 9-8030). That's about all the published information on these clips.

[Sal]

Thanks Paul. I never seen the clips on a mounted tire. Bob is the one that has 5 of them on his tire.


Sal

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Paul, you're right....it's 6 clips per wheel. I don't know how I got 5 stuck in my head. Pic of one of my wheels is below. I only have one wheel with the 6 clips, I need to find 18 more clips for the other 3 tires....or 24 clips if I do the spare. My truck SN was before the cutoff for not using the clips, so I want to put them on. If anyone knows where I can find some.......please let me know. I do plan on asking John at Midwest as soon as I get enough money saved up for another parts order.

thanks,
bob

[refit1701]

I understood that they were retainers for snowchains....

Below is a tire on my USMC truck, that tire is dated '53.

[DAP]

I have nine and 1 broke one I just took off of a wheel. That means this 1954 wheel had 5 on the inside and 5 on the outside. Are you interested? I amjust south of Charlotte, NC

[w30bob]

Hi DAP,

Yes, I'm interested. I just sent you a PM.

thanks
bob

[w30bob]

Hi Refit,

I don't see any mention of using these clips for snow chains in the manual (TM9-840), or any mention of chains. They call them "bead lock clips" and say they hold the tires in place on the wheels in conjuction with the bead lock rim. You'd think if they were required to attach snow chains they wouldn't have discontinued using them....no? Just thinking out loud.

regards,
bob