Numerical and experimental investigation results in order to find out stiffness of the tire protector, as single element in dynamic models of a suspension are presented in this paper. Numerical modeling demonstrated that de-scription of ribbed part with the evaluation of pattern fill-ing coefficient was adequate to rubber prisms deformation models. Testing confirmed that in numerical models it was necessary to evaluate constriction of protector's deforma-tion by rigid breaker and cord layers, that is why radial deformation of the protector decreases 1.7 - 2.1 times. Tak-ing into account unevenness of contact surface stiffness-loading dependence does not bring qualitative changes. With more correct evaluation of operational conditions of the protector layer results coincide with testing results.