Clamping Technology — Wheel Aligner Accessory

QC20

Touchless Tire-Grip Aligner Clamp
Rim-Safe Touchless 43″ Max Tire OD All 9000 Series Self-Centering

The QC20 replaces the traditional rim-mounted wheel clamp on all TreadPlus 9000 series aligners. Its 3-point outer tire-grip mechanism attaches to the outside of the tire rather than the rim — eliminating alloy wheel damage risk while delivering fast, repeatable target positioning. Handles tire outer diameters up to 43 inches.

TreadPlus QC20 Touchless Tire Clamp
How It Works

Grab the Tire. Never the Rim.

1

Position on the tire sidewall

Place the QC20 against the tire sidewall. No rim access needed — the clamp operates entirely on the tire surface.

2

Self-centering jaws engage

The 3-point jaw set closes with clutch-limited force — secure enough to hold the alignment target through the full job, gentle enough that the tire shows no marks and the rim is never contacted.

3

Mount the alignment target as normal

The alignment target attaches to the QC20 body in exactly the same way as a traditional clamp. The aligner reads identical geometry — same accuracy, zero rim exposure.

4

Release with one squeeze

Single-action release. The tire is unmarked. The rim is untouched. Move to the next vehicle.

3-POINT GRIP PRINCIPLE FLYWHEEL JAW 1 JAW 2 JAW 3 ~140° apart RIM NO CONTACT TYRE CONTACT ONLY
Comparison

Traditional Rim Clamp vs. QC20

Traditional Method

Standard Rim Clamp

  • Clamps directly onto the rim surface
  • Risk of scratching alloy, chrome or painted wheels
  • Cannot clamp over hub caps or wheel covers
  • Requires clear rim flange access
  • Customer complaints if rim finish is marked
QC20 Method

Touchless Tire Grip

  • Grips tire sidewall — rim never contacted
  • Zero alloy, chrome, or paint damage risk
  • Works with hub caps and wheel covers in place
  • Self-centering — consistent every attachment
  • Flywheel open/close — fast, controlled clamping force
  • Handles tire OD up to 43 inches
Technical Data

Specifications

Max Tire Outer Diameter
43 inches
SUVs, crossovers, light trucks fully covered
Clamping Method
Touchless Tire Grip
Sidewall contact only — rim never touched
Jaw Design
3-Point Outer Tire Grip
Reliable grip even over hub caps
Clamping Control
Flywheel
Fast open/close, controlled grip force
Aligner Compatibility
All 9000 Series
9000 AIO / Standard / Mobile
Target Mount
Standard Target Interface
Standard target interface — no modification needed
Compared To QC15
QC15 = 32″ Max OD
QC20 handles significantly larger tire profiles
Technology Type
Touchless Tire Grip
Same touchless tire-grip principle
Why QC20

Key Features

🛡️
Zero Rim Contact

The QC20's jaws grip only the tire sidewall. The rim surface is never contacted — eliminating scratches on alloy, chrome, painted, or aftermarket wheels and the costly disputes that follow.

📐
43-Inch Tire Capacity

With a maximum tire outer diameter of 43 inches, the QC20 covers the full range of vehicles a typical automotive shop services — from compact passenger cars through full-size SUVs and light trucks.

🎯
3-Point Self-Centering Accuracy

The 3-point jaw set self-centres on the tire with every attachment, providing a consistent target reference position — the same repeatable geometry on every vehicle, every time.

Fast On, Fast Off

The flywheel opens and closes all three jaws in a single smooth rotation. Mounting and releasing is significantly faster than threading a traditional rim clamp onto a wheel edge — reducing overall alignment cycle time per vehicle.

🔩
Works Over Hub Caps

Because the clamp attaches to the tire, it works with hub caps and decorative wheel covers in place. No removal needed before alignment — saving time on every vehicle.

🔌
Direct Drop-In for All 9000 Models

The QC20 is a direct replacement for the standard wheel clamp on the 9000 AIO, 9000 Standard, and 9000 Mobile. No modifications required — specify at time of aligner purchase or add later.

Frequently Asked Questions

QC20 — FAQ

The QC20 is a touchless tire-grip wheel clamp for all TreadPlus 9000 series aligners. Rather than clamping onto the rim, it grips the tire sidewall with 3-point outer-grip jaws and flywheel-controlled clamping force — protecting alloy, chrome, and aftermarket wheels from any contact damage. It handles tire outer diameters up to 43 inches.
Position the clamp at the tire sidewall and engage the 3-point outer jaws. The clutch-limited claw closes on the tire with controlled force — secure enough to hold the alignment target stable through the full procedure, gentle enough to leave no marks and never contact the rim. Release with a single squeeze when the job is done.
The key difference is tire size capacity. The QC20 handles tire outer diameters up to 43 inches — covering full-size SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks with larger tire profiles. The QC15 handles up to 32 inches, sized for standard passenger cars and compact crossovers. Both use the same touchless tire-grip design and fit all 9000 series aligners.
Yes. The QC20 is a direct, drop-in replacement for the standard wheel clamp on the 9000 AIO, 9000 Standard, and 9000 Mobile. No modifications to the aligner are required.
No. The QC20 never contacts the rim. Its jaws grip only the tire sidewall, making it safe for alloy, chrome, painted, and aftermarket wheels. This is particularly valuable for shops servicing luxury or performance vehicles where any rim mark would be unacceptable.
Yes. Because the QC20 grips the tire — not the rim — it works reliably whether or not hub caps or decorative wheel covers are fitted, saving time on vehicles that would otherwise require cover removal before alignment.
The QC20 handles tire outer diameters up to 43 inches, covering passenger cars, crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks. For shops that primarily service standard passenger cars with smaller tire profiles, the QC15 (up to 32 inches) is also available.
Order directly from KJC Engineering Canada: call (416) 977-1616, toll-free 1-877-55-TREAD, or email info@treadplus.com. The QC20 is available as an add-on to any 9000 series aligner purchase or as a standalone accessory. International orders ship through our global partner network in Brazil, Costa Rica, Poland, and China.
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