DIY: un/mounting a car tire from the rim without special tools. (Have you?)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by cajunfj40

the "flammable spray inside the tire and toss a match" method. Foomp!

This is actually the only reason I wanted to try all this.

Foomp!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLtBojvDEyc

Kidding. I probably won't try that. Probably.

[Fingie]

any info on using plastic BB's instead of balancing sand?

[oil pan 4]

When filling tires don't forget you don't have to fill them with air.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...air-28914.html

[freebeard]

Foomp!

That's one of the methods I was thinking of. The other is to let the air run and shake the tire up and down on the rim. It's doable on a 145-15; it might be harder with a truck tire.

[ThermionicScott]

I used a crowbar to take a tire off an old VW wheel years ago. The only thing that got me to the end was the knowledge that people had done it before, otherwise I would have thought it impossible without shop tools.

[MetroMPG]

So I've manually swapped about 6 or 8 tires total since I started this thread.

I made a bead breaker to make it easier - just a 2x8 with some fancy woodwork on the end that I use as a ramp. (Note: support the ramp in the middle or you'll crack the 2x8. Ask me how I know!)





Another important thing I learned: temperature is important. I tried and failed to get a tire off a rim about a week ago when it was ~14 C outside (57 F). Couldn't do it. Then I brought the wheel inside beside the fireplace, let it warm up, and it went MUCH easier.


I Also learned that tire construction makes a difference: the 165/65R14 RE92's you can almost install on a rim entirely by hand (and feet). But a RE92 in 175/64R14 size was noticeably harder to do.

[roosterk0031]

Originally Posted by Fingie

any info on using plastic BB's instead of balancing sand?

Got rid of the last of my balance beaded tires last week, instant difference. I actually put new tires on those rims(tpms sensors) put the worn tires on other rims, put them on the car to take the new tires to get balanced. Same tires were much better without beads than they were with. $12 lifetime balance at walmart, just don't be in a rush or just drop of the tires and come back later.

I have a harbor freight changer, works great for $50 but just use spoons putting the tire back on. If can't get air in fast enough to seat the bead take out the valve core for faster flow. Nokians super easy to bead, the Toyo Celcius I just mounted were a little more troublesome. Nothing like motorcycle tires though, 180/55/17 almost always had to use a ratchet strap and set them in the sun on top of the car.

As a kid I used the standard bumper jack to break the bead. If the lever thing my dad had wasn't strong enough.

[jakobnev]

I beaded many tires in my previous job, different tires need different tricks, some you put on the floor vertically and push down with your knee, some you push on in the right spot and others you just lift at one end and rock back and forth like a baby.