The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest manually changing tires

does anyone have any directions, tricks, or websites that explain how to do this? i have wanted to for years, but struggle every time i have gave it a try. i have some tire spoons but need a little instruction from am expert. i sold my coats tire machine a couple of years ago.

My first filling station job was with a station that did not have an iron tireman, and we did the job almost as shown in this video. We did have a bead breaker tool, spoons (instead of screwdrivers), and a rubber hammer. The old BF Goodrich Life Saver tires were a real bear to change, as their sidewalls were really stiff. YouTube has some other videos.

Hoyt

My trick is to take it to the local tire shop.

I've done it many times but when I get done I've asked myself why I didn't go to town and spend six bucks and have them take the tire off.
The hardest part has been breaking the tire down sometimes.

I'd like to find an old machine, even if it only had a hand breaker, or an old Coats 1010 would be nice.

I've gotten self-satisfaction doing it myself, but it would be faster to drive to town and have it done.
Dan

I'll second all the above. The older you get the less fun it is. As mentioned the trick is to break the beads then collapse them to the center of the rim. Use plenty of RuGlyde by Balkamp, NAPA carries it in 1 to 50 gallons, when taking the bead off the rim.

Larry

Jack-all. Straight tire irons. Liquid dish soap.
Jack-all to break the bead. Place tire under bumper of heavy truck. Use foot of jack placed on tire near rim edge. Jack gently. Weight of truck will pop bead off rim. Repeat for other side.
Lube up tire bead with liquid soap. Kneel on tire sidewall to force bead to centre of rim and use tire irons to lever tire off rim. EZPEEZY.

Since you asked...
1. Pull the valve stem core out and let air out of tire.
2. Break the bead. This is the hard part without a bead breaker. Using a jack on a car or truck is something I saw my dad do. I always thought it to be dangerous and unwise. To each his own though. It can be dangerous without the proper tools. If you don't have a bead breaker (like me), I have a tractor with a loader on it that I use. I place the tire under the edge of the bucket and then push down. I don't let anyone else put the tire under for me and I don't let anyone else on the tractor when I am doing it. A lot of on and off of the tractor, but I don't want anyone loosing a finger or hand. I also probably wouldn't plan on using the tire after using the bucket edge on it.
3. Once the bead is broken on both sides of the tire, lube the bead of the tire to help it slip off. Push the first edge to the center of the rim and (I use tire spoons) take the spoon and lift the first edge over the rim. Most people get into trouble with the second bite with the second spoon. TAKE A SMALL BITE and levering next to the first spoon, lever the next bit of lip over the rim.
4. Here is the next part that people get in trouble with. The third spoon. Most people only buy two spoons and loose the lip that is already levered part of the tire bead over the rim. I have three spoons. I take the third spoon and take another small bite next to either the first or second spoon and lever the lip over again. Then take the spoon in the CENTER out, and take another small bite next to the spoon on the right or the left.
5. Continue until the tire bead is completely over the rim. Then start on the next bead in the same manner.

Don't let the levers pop back up and smack you in the jaw, groin or ribs. It might hurt. I use my knees to hold the levers down.

Placing air back into tires can sometimes be a real pain. Take the valve core out of the NEW valve stem that you put back in. That will allow more air in to seat the bead. Lube both tire beads first. If you are putting in a tube in the tire, some people like a little air in the tube and some like to put it in flat. Just make sure you don't pinch the tube with your spoons, and deflate it at least once to help get wrinkles out of it once the tire is back on the beads.

Putting a tire back on is basically the reverse. Clean the rim bead up real good before placing another tire on it. I use a wire wheel on a hand grinder, or sandpaper.

And get a bead breaker if you plan to continue doing tires yourself. It's really too much work after a few times.

I don't do tires anymore.

Had to put on a pair of riding lawn mower tires....way too much time spent for this task. I'll never put my knuckles through that again.

.... I've done like gotgasd and builder mentions but back then to break a tire down I'd place it in front of the tire on another vehicle and drive the vehicle up on the tire. Worked fast and smooth! No need to mess with a jack.
Then use the tire spoons!!

thanks all for the tips and advise. i am working on my masters in doing things the hard way, so i thought this might fit right in. i usually can get the bead broke loose, but struggle with getting the old tire off especially the second side. most of the times it's a old hard tire off a old rim that's been in place for years. don't worry, i'm not planning to start doing it every time i buy a new tire- bring it home and mount it myself! it's just something i want to be able to do when i need to since i have the stuff. thanks again.

Old dried up tires can be difficult. Have fun.

thanks to everyone for the advise and the youtube link. i ended up making a manual bead breaker out of a 1.5" solid bar in a pipe with a large chisel bit welded on the pipe. i have done 3 so far and am having better luck. i watched several videos after i followed the link provided. like i said i'm not going to do it exclusivly, i just want to be able to do it. i always have several tires on rims i need to take off to store. 2 of the 3 i did were old hudson ones that have been on for a loooong time. thanks again.

I bought one of those manual tire machines off ebay for $75. and was suprised at how well it works, just bolt it to the floor real good, and it comes with all the bars and stuff.
Can still be a little tough breaking the bead on some dried out newer wide radials, but it works just fine.
I made some mods to it to make it bead break a little easier, but nothing too tough for any decent fab guy really.
(Changed the bead breaker to work on top instead of from the bottom, uses a longer bar so it makes it easier on the back!)

If the tire aint worth saving and it wont come off a sawzall will make it quick work

Hoggyrubber, if you think it's hard to change car tires try a motorcycle tire some time. Once the beads are loose on a car tire it's just a matter of dropping the bead you're working on into the drop center and working it off the side of the rim closest to the center.

Take you a 20% off coupon and head down to Harbor Freight. They have a manual tire changer that bolts to the ground. Inexpensive but serves it purpose. It comes with a bead breaker and everything.

I'm all about havin the tire shop do mine, but then I have split rims and dont wanna spring for the cost of a tire cage,...
IF I had 1-piece wheels I'd look into these tools.


I like the bead breaker/slide hammer they use in that 2nd vid, looks like something that could be built at home

If the tire aint worth saving and it wont come off a sawzall will make it quick work


x2

hey, i'm all growed up now and have another tire machine. it's a coats 40-40. traded for it a month or so ago. it's nicer than the coats 10-10 i had, it has the shot of air to help inflate it. i haven't done a single tire since i got it! i still have some hudson rims to clean off. maybe i need to start a midnight tire shop/ wrecker service since i have the wrecker. i may get the itch to sell it someday that seems to always hit me.