---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 229.75"
title: "49"
number: "229.75"
heading: "Wheels and tire defects."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/229.75"
---

# §229.75. Wheels and tire defects.


Wheels and tires may not have any of the following conditions:

- (a) A single flat spot that is 2 1/2 inches or more in length, or two adjoining spots that are each two or more inches in length.
- (b) **A gouge or chip in the flange that is more than 1 1/2 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width.**
- (c) A broken rim, if the tread, measured from the flange at a point five-eighths inch above the tread, is less than 3 3/4 inches in width.
- (d) A shelled-out spot 2 1/2 inches or more in length, or two adjoining spots that are each two or more inches in length.
- (e) **A seam running lengthwise that is within 3 3/4 inches of the flange.**
- (f) **A flange worn to a 7/8 inch thickness or less, gauged at a point 3/8 inch above the tread.**
- (g) A tread worn hollow 5/16 inch or more on a locomotive in road service or 3/8 inch or more on a locomotive in switching service.
- (h) **A flange height of 1 1/2 inches or more measured from tread to the top of the flange.**
- (i) **Tires less than 1 1/2 inches thick.**
- (j) Rims less than 1 inch thick on a locomotive in road service or less than 3/4 inch on a locomotive in yard service.
- (k) **A crack or break in the flange, tread, rim, plate, or hub.**
- (l) **A loose wheel or tire.**
- (m) Fusion welding may not be used on tires or steel wheels of locomotives, except for the repair of flat spots and worn flanges on locomotives used exclusively in yard service. A wheel that has been welded is a welded wheel for the life of the wheel.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20133, 20137-38, 20143, 20168, 20701-03, 21301-02, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89.

### Source

Source: 45 FR 21109, Mar. 31, 1980, unless otherwise noted.