When assembling a tire equipped with a lock ring that does NOT seat properly, you should inflate the tire with how many pounds of air pressure before tapping the lock ring with a mallet?

When assembling a tire that uses a lock ring, it is critical to ensure that the lock ring seats correctly to avoid failures or accidents when the tire is in use. Inflating the tire to a pressure range of 5 to 10 pounds before tapping the lock ring with a mallet helps to seat the bead properly against the rim, allowing the lock ring to fit securely.

This pressure is sufficient to help the tire and bead make initial contact without risking an overinflation situation where the tire could separate or cause injury if it snaps back unexpectedly. Tapping the lock ring at this moderate pressure ensures that any movement required to seat the components happens gently, allowing for proper alignment while reducing the risk of damage or catastrophic failure.

As the pressure is increased, the chances of tire damage or injury during the seating process increase, making the 5 to 10 pounds range the most reliable approach for safely addressing a misalignment without taking unnecessary risks.