The disadvantages of studded tires are a fact. And under an hour of traveling on icy road sections, studded rubber is indispensable (in order to minimize the risk and prevent all kinds of difficulties). As evidenced practical use, the studded version of the tire allows you to gain from two to five seconds when braking to a complete stop in relation to summer (non-studded) tires. Even fractions of a second will be decisive.
Winter studded tires allow to increase handling, minimize the chances of skidding in corners, and stabilize the car on difficult road sections. True, you will encounter a problem - such rubber has metal factory inserts, which automatically affects the cost increase up to 10%. As alternative option the rubber studding process is under consideration with my own hands, which significantly structures costs and adds confidence on the road. To understand the reliability of this option, it is worth taking care of the entire process as a whole. Let's get down to it.
Is it possible to spike tires yourself
Studs are realized by independent efforts, in their own garage, without spending financial and physical efforts.
To work, you will need a standard set of tools for studding tires and there is no way to do without a set of winter tires:
- Thorns;
- Pliers;
- Pneumatic pistol.
At the moment, literally every car dealership is ready to offer assistance in finding tires with ready-made holes, where purchased spikes are inserted on their own. This will make the studding process easier.
2 types of studs: one- and two-flanged. The first type of stud is intended for standard driving on city roads, the second type of stud is for high-speed driving.
Do not forget that the winter version of tires lends itself to studding due to the presence of rubber density in order to hold the metal frame.
It is advisable to choose rubber with a special hole already in the basic configuration, so that you can easily install the spikes - this option is more reliable and durable. Check carefully that the nests run evenly, forming a pattern (herringbone, zigzag, stripes). Otherwise, it is highly likely that artisanal preparation will compromise safety and reliability. A note will be to carry out studding on new rubber on our own - on worn rubber, metal inserts will not cope with retention in broken landing grooves.
It is also recommended to carry out studding with ordinary tires, without grooves - however, the product may be damaged until it is completely unusable. The holes for the cleats are created by high-tech equipment. At home, drills with flexible rotation control are suitable. For further work, equipment is used depending on the needs and priorities.
Choosing tires and studs for studding tires
Despite the insignificance of the choice, today they acquire from dozens of other types of studs installed on winter-type tires. At the same time, it is very important to take the acquisition seriously. Considering our regional weather conditions and our quality highways, it is best to choose an option from iron-containing alloys. Aluminum spikes will not deform after the first couple of runs on a country road with bumps and bumps. In addition, the cleats should be matched to the shape of the carbide tip that protrudes out of the rubber. In this case, traditional round ones are quite cheap, therefore they are called effective only with a stretch.
If we take into account the more severe climate of the northern European regions, then in the same place it is worth talking about 4-sided and multifaceted thorns, allowing you to gain confidence in reliability even in the event of crossing an icy road.
Recently, there has been an increase in interest in diamond stud varieties. Their cost cannot be called more expensive than 10% of the usual ones. It's all about complex form a tip that is visually similar to the crystal structure.
In this acquisition situation, think about the choice of spikes. 50% of motorists ask questions about the number of flanges. The sample is in accordance with this parameter: in the case of constant driving, it is worth paying attention to the 2-flange models due to the fact that they are more resistant to maneuvering and driving at high speeds. The opposite is the case with 1-fold models: they are cheaper and slow down the wear of the seat recess, however, in the case of active driving, the situation is disadvantageous. The selection of dowels is also done according to the dimensions - take into account the max. protrusion size up to 1.3mm. Because of this, it is best to buy studs from the same location as your tires.
Diy studding process
In order to independently cope with the process, it is necessary to observe a clear algorithm of actions, without which all attempts can be in vain.
- First of all, work begins with fixing the tire. In this case, it is necessary to resort to the help of improvised means (tools). Here it is worth paying special attention to the fact that the quality of your work will directly depend on the level of fixation and fixation of the tire.
- The next step will be to moisten the thorns with soapy water. Yes, at first glance it may seem crazy, but it will allow the studs to easily pass through all the holes in the tire. We put the spikes in the air pistol ahead of time and direct them to the holes made earlier on the tires. The air pistol should be kept parallel to the plane, and the pressure should be done until the spikes are completely driven into the tire.
- Spikes, the installation of which did not go smoothly (distortions, irregularities, rolls), will need to be removed. In the case of the protrusions of the inserted spikes, you will need to resort to a hammer and an aluminum sheet, with which you try to drive in.
- Having dealt with the spike, you should not conduct direct testing right away. You should wait a little while the thorns “grow together”. This will take at least a month. In motion, the driving speed on the new studded tires does not exceed 60 km / h. After rolling 200-300 km, gradually increasing the speed to 85 km / h, not forgetting about the maximum permissible level.
- The following point is worth remembering. When the spike tires are ready, look carefully for the lugs on the lugs. In case of irregularities, remove with pliers or drive in the inappropriate (1.3mm) spikes inside. A hammer and a metal plate can do just that.
It's hard to believe, but you can make studded rubber yourself. And you don't need to spend a lot of money. To do this, you will need the following items: winter tires (preferably with ready-made holes for the studs), the studs themselves and a special pneumatic gun designed to insert studs into the rubber coating. Or a screwdriver, if the spikes are threaded.
At the beginning, we will remind once again that rubber should be bought with already made holes for the spikes. Thanks to this, your task will be greatly simplified, otherwise you will have to make holes yourself. In addition, the risk of tire damage (during stud installation) will be significantly reduced.
It is also worth paying attention to the rubber itself. It is advisable that it is not too soft, otherwise the spikes will not adhere well. And the tires must be new, with no mileage. If you live in St. Petersburg, you can go to the site and pick up something.
In the meantime, consider the issue of choosing the right spikes. There are single and double flanged studs in addition to threaded studs. There is a big difference between the two. For example, the first variant of studs is intended for standard driving conditions (highways, city streets, driving at low speeds). In other words, single flange studs are well suited for the most common vehicle use. Another type of pimple is used for extreme movement, which is due to the very structure of the pike.
In the process of self-spiking rubber, you need to remember one main rule. Place the spikes as evenly as possible inside the holes. Excessive protrusion of the spike or its distortion must not be allowed. The outer part of the spike should protrude no more than 1.3 mm.
Stud installation procedure
It means that you have decided to take up a similar procedure. Then carefully read the simple recommendations that will help you to correctly spike car tires.
First, you should fix the tire well (so that during work it does not fidget and complicate the performance of your task).
If you were unable to buy tires with prepared stud holes, you will have to make them yourself. For drilling, it is better to use a special tubular drill that will not tear the rubber. You can make holes with an ordinary drill, but for this it must be perfectly sharp and you will need to drill at the maximum speed of the drill.
Do not forget the drilling depth stop to avoid damaging the tire.
Then, by means of a special pneumatic pistol, the studs are mounted into the tire itself. Pay particular attention to the fact that the gun should not be positioned on a slope, but level. In this case, the spike installation procedure will not cause any problems for you.
In order to prevent the appearance of marriage, thoroughly check the fit of all spikes. If something does not suit you, then pull the spike back and re-install. When the spike has not been set deep enough, then with the help of a hammer and an iron plate, you must try to drive it to the required depth.
If you purchased threaded studs, simply screw them in. Please note that the length of the threaded part of the cleat must be at least 1 mm less than the tread height.
After installing all the studs, you need to keep them at rest for 2-3 months so that the studs are finally fixed in the tire. Therefore, it is better to spike not before winter, but in advance. With the onset of the season, we install the wheels on the car.
For the first few hundred kilometers, tires should be used sparingly. That being said, try to avoid high speeds, as well as fast acceleration and deceleration. This is a kind of running-in automobile rubber. After passing it, the wheels can be used in standard mode, because they will already become fully adapted for daily use.
Now you know that studding your tires yourself is a fairly simple procedure. You only need to believe in own strength and stick to simple technology. Yes, I almost forgot, you also need to pay attention to the diameter of the holes for the thorns and the thorns themselves.
If the spikes are with flanges, then everything fits perfectly for them, and the threaded spikes can be very different and holes for them may or may not be needed. Sometimes the studs are simply screwed into the tire like self-tapping screws, but usually this method is used on tires for tractors and trucks, where the tread allows this operation to be done.
On winter roads is relevant for every motorist. Many people prefer studded wheels, which really prove to be effective on snowy and icy roads. But is it worth buying a ready-made version of the protectors if you can do the rubber studding with your own hands? Let's figure it out.
Method of self-studding of tires.In what cases is manual tire studding done?
Do-it-yourself studding of winter tires only makes sense in some cases:
- there is no financial opportunity to buy expensive studded wheels from a reliable and well-known manufacturer;
- the range of studded tires available is not and does not match preferences;
- rubber should be suitable for the individual characteristics of use.
The choice of rubber with spikes is not small, but most of the models are not of high quality. Spikes fly out while driving, which quickly renders the rubber unusable. This is one of the reasons that forces motorists to create studding on their own. New or used rubber can be selected for studding. The main requirement for it is high quality, good condition, etc.
What are the best spikes to choose?
Before picking up a pneumatic gun and studding winter tires with your own hands, you need to choose the right studs. Many manufacturers offer such items for upgrading tires, but preference should be given to products from a well-known brand. All cleats are divided into three categories depending on the material from which they were made:
- metal;
- with a plastic case;
- aluminum.
Another classification is based on the shape of the elements:
- oval;
- with four edges;
- with multiple flanges.
Single-flange oval studs are easy to install. This work will be easy to cope with even for a person who is doing it for the first time. On a car that is used for, and at the same time drives on poor-quality road surface, it is necessary to install rubber with two-flange spikes. If you choose by brand, then preference should be given to Nokian and Gislaved. These manufacturers are popular in the world market. Their products always meet high quality standards.
How to do it with the help of an improvised tool?
Do-it-yourself tire studding can be done in various ways:
- The manual method is lengthy and difficult. Its essence lies in the use of a special key and an ordinary screwdriver, a hammer is also required. The only advantage is that there is no need for a special tool that you need to buy or rent. But you have to work hard with your hands.
- The semi-automatic version is realized through the use of a screwdriver and a nozzle. The essence of this method is to push the spike into the rubber with a screwdriver. Here the work will be done faster. The disadvantage of this method is the need to control the position of each element.
- The automatic method is the most convenient and fastest, but it can only be realized with special equipment - a pneumatic-type pistol. But each spike will be securely and correctly fixed, therefore, the final result will be much better. The equipment costs a lot, you will have to look for a rental opportunity for a compressor, pneumatic lines and the gun itself.
If, by coincidence, you have to use the manual method, then surely our practical guide will come in handy:
- The washed tire with cleaned holes is put on the end of the board.
- The holder is held in the left hand.
- Each spike is soaked in soapy water. It is prohibited to use. For example, engine oil will erode the rubber around the stud and it will fall out soon. With a large amount of oil, you can even get a through hole.
- Move the rod up with your right hand and place the spike in the lower area of the tube.
- The mandrel is installed with a spike on the hole strictly perpendicular to the protector.
- Hit the end with a hammer and drive the element into the protector.
If you are lucky and you have equipment for automatic studding at hand, then you need to proceed as follows:
- If there are no holes in the tires, they must be made. For this, a drill and tubular drill are used. Depth fixation must be present.
- The tire must be well secured.
- Wet the rubber with soapy water. In this case, the entry of the studs into the rubber will be easier.
- The required number of spikes is placed in the pneumatic gun.
- The pistol is placed vertically, legs are fixed in the hole.
- The air gun is pressed tightly against the hole. It is important to install it evenly, distortions are unacceptable.
- We pull the trigger and check the correct position of the spike.
- When the work is completed, the rubber is left to dry completely.
This procedure is new. With its help, you can increase the life of the tire without significant costs. Reinstallation of studs is carried out on winter tires, in which there are worn out elements and empty holes. You need to buy special spikes that are designed specifically for this type of work. These elements have a large cap, which allows them to hold well in empty, stretched holes. The design of such spikes has the following structure:
- metal body;
- plastic sleeve;
- a tip for which especially hard alloys are used.
The re-studding process is the same as described above. The only condition is to thoroughly clean the holes. Inside there is dirt, sand, old thorns and other foreign objects may remain. All this needs to be extracted.
How to save thorns?
Studded rubber is delayed for at least two months. This point should be taken into account and start work in advance. Moreover, tires with studs installed must be run-in. To do this, you will need to drive the first 300 kilometers in a quiet mode, without sudden accelerations, braking, or drifts. If empty holes are found after running in, do not reinstall the cleats. These holes are already stretched, the spikes in them will not stick. The run-in should take place on asphalt, preferably dry, free of snow and mud. This approach will allow all the elements to take their place, which will ensure their durability.
Can you make your own spikes?
Theoretically, it is possible to make elements for rubber studding by hand. But in practice, you should not implement this venture. Such self-made elements will be of very low quality, their fixation in rubber will be weak, and installation will be problematic. Ready-made elements for studding are not so expensive, even if we take into consideration products from well-known manufacturers. In the process of their manufacture, a special alloy with a complex formula is used. Even similar and fake studs are subject to rapid wear and tear, which leads to rapid destruction of the rubber. In short, we do not recommend doing self-production elements for studding.
Independent studding has a right to exist. It won't be easy and fast, but the end result is worth all these difficulties, time and money. We advise you not to abandon this idea.
Every year, as soon as it becomes clear that autumn has already passed, city car owners begin to take out sets of winter tires. Inspection of it usually shows that after the last season of operation, not all studs have remained in place. It is good if the owner knows that it is possible to add studding of winter tires with his own hands. Otherwise, he will use what is left, or buy a new winter kit. To assess the suitability of the cylinder for use, you need to know that the winter tire must be studded in such a way that there are at least eight studs on the contact patch with the road surface.
The number of thorns in the contact patch
A passenger car weighing about 1.2 tons weighs 300 kg per wheel. With a tire pressure of about 2 kg per cm 2, the contact patch area will be approximately 150 square meters. This means that the tread of a new 155 mm wide studded tire should have 8 studs for every 10 cm of circumference. For a satisfactory grip, no more than 20% of the studs are allowed to be lost. That is, 6–7 thorns can remain in the contact patch. If you have fewer of them left, the tire needs to be studded. Before doing this, measure the residual tread height. The tread height less than 4–6 mm means that the rubber should not be studded, but replaced with a new one.
Anti-skid stud device
Stud bar design
The mandrel consists of two parts:
- Thick-walled metal tube with an inner diameter slightly larger than the spike flanges. Its length should be several centimeters longer than the width of your palm.
- A piece of steel rod that fits snugly into the tube. It is necessary that its length be equal to the length of the tube.
Manual studding
To drive the spikes into the tread, you need to use a piece of thick board as a support for it. It should be placed on a workbench and attached to it with a nail or self-tapping screw. For convenience, the upper end should be slightly above the waist. So let's spike.
We hope that spiking tires with your own hands no longer seems unrealistic to you.
How to save thorns
Many sources advise you to run in studded tires on dry and clean asphalt, without waiting for snow and cold weather. They motivate the need for running-in by the fact that during its time the spikes will fall into place, and the technological lubricant will be erased from the tread. You think that you are buying good tires, but they have both the spikes and the tread in the grease - one of my friends once said after learning about this. Break-in recommendations usually contain extremely useful tips, starting with the fact that at this time it is impossible to exceed the speed, ending with a warning not to run over curbs.
Keep in mind that the spikes hold the car well, clinging to the ice, and they do not dig into clean asphalt, therefore, as many drivers note, they greatly impair traction.
To ensure that more studs remain in your tires by the beginning of the next season, use them in the conditions for which they are intended. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Here's what the Goodyear website says about winter tires. They are designed to operate in temperatures below 7 ° C as well as in harsh winter conditions. Winter tires use technologies that improve traction and braking on surfaces covered with snow and ice. At the same time, there is not a word about the need for running-in on their website. The warranty conditions for Nokian Tires products also do not mention running-in. However, an online consultant on the website of this company told me the following: “The optimal temperature for replacing summer tires with winter ones is in the range from +5 to +7 degrees Celsius. After installing the tire, it is recommended to run it in immediately. The break-in takes place for the first 500-800 km. During this period, one should not abruptly brake or get under way, the speed should not exceed 80 km / h. It is also contraindicated to vigorously maneuver, quickly changing the direction of movement. "
Limitations on the permissible speed and load on the wheel are indicated by any manufacturer on the side surface of the tire. Only you need It is about the load index and speed. They are indicated next to the tire size.
Limiting parameters
The load index is indicated by a two-digit number. Index 50 denotes a permissible wheel load of about 190 kg. Each unit added to the index number increases the load capacity by 5 kg. That is, 51-195, 52-200, and so on.
The speed index is presented in the form of letters of the Latin alphabet. J - 100 km / h; K - 110 km / h; L - 120 km / h; M - 130 km / h. Each subsequent letter increases the permissible speed by 10 km / h.
Determine the ultimate allowed parameters and do not exceed them. Then there will be more spikes on the tread for next winter.
It is important to choose high-quality studs from a well-known brand. The shape can be oval, four-sided, with several flanges. The most famous brands on the market today are Nokian and Gislaved. Most often, single-flanged oval studs are chosen for manual studding, since they are easier to install. If the car is operated in difficult weather conditions on a poor-quality surface, then it is better to choose double-flanged products. How to make with the help of an improvised tool A hand-made spike can be done in three ways:
- Manual.
- Semi-automatic.
- Automatic.
The first method is the most time consuming, a special key, a screwdriver and a hammer are used here, you perform each action with your own hands. The upside is that no special tool is required, but it takes a lot of effort to get it done.
403 - Access Denied
Do not reinstall them as the hole is already stretched and metal product will not hold on there. Is it possible to make spikes on your own? Experts recommend purchasing sets of spikes from well-known brands. Analogues and fakes wear out very quickly and often fly out, which leads to the destruction of the tire surface.
It is quite difficult to make such products at home, since a special alloy is required. Even with small deviations from standard sizes the cleats will not hold well in the holes and will be difficult to install. We make reliable rubber with our own hands (video tips) Photo gallery of homemade tires with studs Option 5 Option 4 Option 3 Option 2 Option 1 If you decide to manually make a studded winter tire, we recommend that you take this work seriously.
Each cleat must be correctly positioned in the hole and securely locked.
Do-it-yourself tire spike
When working, you need to adjust the depth gauge so that the cleats are at the same distance from the surface. If they are located too deep, they will not be able to fulfill their function. An air gun is a good choice for quickly driving the spikes into the holes.
Important
It connects to a dedicated compressor. During operation, the metal legs expand the hole and a thorn is driven there under the pressure of air. In addition to a drill and a pistol, you need to prepare:
- Hammer.
- Pliers.
- Spray bottle with soapy water.
- A set of special spikes.
Tip: You can use a hammer and a metal plate to adjust the position of the cleats. Stud selection Manufacturers offer several types of studs.
According to the material of manufacture, the products can be divided into:
- metal;
- aluminum;
- in a plastic case.
Restoration of studs on winter tires
Info
In this case, you should be careful and drive at low speed for some time. In the first time after the installation of the thorns, there is a high probability of their falling out. You also need to avoid sudden jerks and turns. It is worth observing the speed limit for the first week after the studding, during which time the products will securely fix in their places.
Studding tires: choosing studs The best option would be products made of iron-containing alloys, they are not subject to deformation and remain intact even after driving on a dirt road with many bumps and bumps. The shape of the tip can be different, the round version is quite common because of the attractive cost, but it has a low efficiency. Residents of the northern regions, characterized by a harsh climate, should pay attention to the multifaceted spikes that confidently hold the car even on bare ice.
How to install studs on winter tires with your own hands?
- Make holes for the studs with a drill (use a special drill) or use an awl and hammer.
- Secure the tire.
- Mark the installation locations of the studding elements yourself, for this use the corrector.
- Apply soapy water to the surface of the tire - this will make it easier to install the studs into the mounting slots.
- Put the spike in the place of attachment, install it.
- Check the ledge installed product above the tire surface using a vernier caliper, if the height is more than 1.5 mm, set the stud a little deeper.
- If the spike does not enter the rubber evenly, remove it with pliers. Installation of studding elements in tires with special holes for studs is carried out in a similar way, while labor productivity increases several times.
Diy tire studding
In the semi-automatic method, a screwdriver with a nozzle is used. They push the thorn into the hole. The speed of work increases, but you need to carefully monitor the position of each spike. Using a compressed air gun, you will ensure that the studs are held securely.
The main stages of work
- If there are no holes in the tires, make them using a drill with a tubular drill. To drill a hole in rubber, you need to use a drill with a tubular drill and a depth gauge
- We fix the tire.
- We spray it with soapy water to make the thorns easier to enter the holes.
Do-it-yourself tire studding for winter
Limitations on the permissible speed and load on the wheel are indicated by any manufacturer on the side surface of the tire. You just need to be able to read them. It is about the load index and the speed. They are indicated next to the tire size. Limiting parameters The load index is indicated by a two-digit number.
Index 50 denotes a permissible wheel load of about 190 kg. Each unit added to the index number increases the load capacity by 5 kg. That is, 51-195, 52-200, and so on. The speed index is presented in the form of letters of the Latin alphabet.
J - 100 km / h; K - 110 km / h; L - 120 km / h; M - 130 km / h. Each subsequent letter increases the permissible speed by 10 km / h. Discussion AutoLirika.ru Information portal for motorists.
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Repair spikes. we revive winter tires with our own hands
The problem of road safety is gaining the greatest relevance in winter time... To solve this problem, special tires with spikes are used, which ensure safe and comfortable movement. But sometimes rubber quickly breaks down, losing a large number of studs.
In this case, it is best to purchase new tires, but in the absence of such an opportunity, tire studding will help. Reviews about this method of updating tires are varied. Some drivers consider it to be quite a convenient and economical solution, while others are sure that its use is irrational.
This procedure is carried out by any suitable method in several stages. How is the studding carried out? The studding of tires is possible only under certain conditions, the best option there will be products with holes. Usually they are of sufficient size, so that an inexperienced car owner will not have any difficulties when working.
Do-it-yourself tire studding: a step-by-step guide
As you can see, any system is not without a flaw, but I want to emphasize again that such repair "plugs" are in any case better than empty holes in the tire. They restore the efficiency of the tires by almost 80%, thereby giving you the opportunity to drive an additional 2 - 3 seasons, and in the version with fresh tires, it can be even more. How to install with your own hands To be honest, it is better to turn to professionals - now almost every tire service repairs winter tires.
They already have various kits, which are said for any wheel. Installation of 1 repair spike will cost about 15 - 20 rubles, depending on the size and complexity of the task. Many tire shops refuse to wear too much worn wheels.
Another snag is a special gun for installing repair spikes, without it, the process will be much more difficult.
Replacing studs on winter tires with your own hands
There are basic shapes: round, oval, tetrahedral. In practice, there are a lot of different forms of these products.
- Core type. There are products with a solid insert in the form of a tube, a rod, and so on.
- Single and double flanged studs. The latter should be installed with an aggressive driving style. When choosing studs, consider: riding speed, driving style, tire characteristics, tread height. When re-studding, pay attention to the size of the attachment points of the dropped out spikes, as a rule, the nests are slightly broken: it makes sense to use a larger diameter of the products. Native thorns will not stick to broken nests. It is not difficult to put studding elements at home, you must adhere to the following rules:
- The cleat must not protrude more than 1.3 mm from the rubber.
