Just pondering this... does the tire have to be pried off/on the rim? Doesn't seem like it would fit otherwise. I know tire guys slap some kind of liquid around the bead area.. does that seal the tire or just lubricate it? Can I mount a tire on a rim without needing anything special? Just curious... thanks!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

The liquid used is for lubrication. It keeps the bead of the tire from tearing when installing. In the tire shop I work in we use dawn dishwashing soap and water. Works great. As far as "prying" the tire on or off it can be done, but you will most likely marr your rims. Also if the bead of the tire is already seated onto the bead of the rim you will not be able to pry off the tire until you break the bead with a bead breaker.

 

So the bead has nothing to do with the lubricant? What exactly holds the bead down to the rim then? Say I wanted to take some old tires I had, and mount them on the old rims they used to be on. Can I do this on my own? Thanks for the info! I looked but couldn't find this stuff anywhere.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

It is really hard to break the bead off of its seating area with out a tool. Friction and tire pressure hold it on the wheel. But it is hard to get the tires back on even if you can get them off.

James

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If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy

 

If I were you I would just pay the $3-$5 per tire to have them mounted (We only charge $3.50, but I get it free since I work there). I say this because we have to mount lawnmower tires onto their rims by hand since they dont fit our tire machines. We use lots of screwdrivers and a pry bar and it is a pain in the *** , but that is only for a lawnmower tire. There is not as many steel belts in the beads of those (if any at all) as compared to automobile tires, which makes it easier to strech the bead of the tire around the rim. On top of that, we usually put a few scratches on the lawnmower wheels when prying with the screwdrivers.

However if your really eager to try this yourself, you might be in luck if your rims dont have tires on them currently and I believe you said you wanted to mount "old" tires. Since they have already been mounted and dismounted and used a little, they could slide on the rim fairly easy. I have mounted a few tires that I didnt use the machine at all because the bead was "broken in" so to speak.

The key to this is to stabilize the rim solidly and lube up the bead of the tire generously with the dishwashing soap and water. Just lay the tire on the rim and and twist the bead around the rim one bead at time (just like mounting a bicycle tire). Give the tire a big bearhug and twist,kinda like you are operating a large steampipe valve or something. I dont really know how to explain it, but I think you will see what Im talking about when you try it. Last of all you might want to do this from the backside of the rim in case you have to pry the last bit of the tire over the bead of the rim.

I hope that clarifies things a bit. Sorry it was so long and good luck.

 

Thanks for the info! Maybe I better have my shop mount these guys; I was going to use them at the track. I've always wondered though about that procedure, thanks!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

While we're on tires, I have a couple of N64 spares (space savers, aluminum, 10 spoke). One, while the tire shows no road wear, is severely weather cracked. Is there any reason why I can't replace the tire?

JamesC

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