Piper Aircraft Corporation Malibu Mirage PA-46-350P, Airplane Maintenance Manual

Page: 216 / 1956

PAGE 10
Feb 28/07
1J14
12-20-00
PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
PA-46-350P, MALIBU MIRAGE
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
5. Tire Balance
Proper balancing is critical for the life of aircraft tires. If a new tire is balanced upon installation it will
usually remain balanced for the life of the tire without having any shimmy or flat spots. An inexpensive
balancer can be made that will balance almost any tire for light aircraft. Balance the tire as follows:
A. Mount the tire and tube (if one is used) on the wheels, but do not install the securing bolts. Install
the wheel bearings in the wheels; then, using the -7 bushings, -6 spacers, and -5 nuts, install the
wheel/tire assembly on the -8 pipe. Secure the -5 nuts finger tight so that the wheel halves touch
each other. Be sure the bolt holes are aligned. Insert the -4 axle through the -8 pipe and place the
wheel in the center of the balancer. Make sure the axle is only on the chamfered edges of the
balancer and that it is at 90° to the sides of the balancer.
B. Release the tire. If it is out of balance it will rotate, coming to rest with the heaviest point on the
bottom. Tape a ounce patch across the top center of the tire. Rotate the tire 45° and release it
again. If the tire returns to the same position, add a 1 ounce patch and again rotate the tire and
release it. Continue this procedure until the tire is balanced.
C. When balance is attained, put a chalk mark on the sidewall directly below the patch. Use one mark
for each half ounce of weight needed. Mark the valve stem location on the tire and the opposite
wheel half to assure reassembly in the same position. Remove the wheel from the balance stand,
break it down and clean the inside of the tire with toluol. Apply a coat of patch cement to both the
patch and the inside center of the tire in line with the chalk marks. When the cement has dried,
install the patches making certain they are on the centerline of the tire and aligned with the chalk
marks on the sidewall. Burnish the patches to remove trapped air, etc.
D. When reassembling the wheel, powder the inside of the tire. Mount the tire on the valve side of the
wheel in the same position it was in when it was balanced. Install the other wheel half, aligning the
chalk marks. Install the bolts and tighten to required torque, then inflate the tire to the pressure
specified in Chart 1, 6-00-00. and recheck the balance. The wheel should not be more than ounce
out of balance.