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Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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| | | Forums66 Topics128,006 Posts1,055,268 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 | I have found some old wheels and tires (very flat) and they are the infamous widowmakers RH-5°. I want to use the wheel rims to make work stands in my shop for a bench grinder and small anvil. My question is: How do you take these suckers apart? I have a torch but I want to be a little more subtle. Thanks for any tip and tricks.
SimS | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Before breaking out the cutting torch [u][b][size:14pt]watch this video[/size][/b][/u] , can happen with any wheel and tire, inflated or not. Tire Pyrolysis The service manual explains how to disassemble the rim. Being as you're not saving the rim you may find it's easier to use a saws all on the tire, only difficult part is the steel in the bead, a cold chisel works on them if you cant get the saw in there. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 | I have seen that video before. Pretty scary. I don't have any service manuals for pre 1980. I guess I'll go at it with the Saws All. Thanks.
SimS | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I don't have any service manuals for pre 1980. Now you do This should be the page you need I expect the saws all is still the tool of choice in this case. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 | Grigg;
Thanks for the info. I read through the service manual excerpt you provided. No wonder these things are widowmakers. Then on the other hand it is amazing that these wheels probably provided millions, if not billions miles of service over the years of production. I'll try busting one down but you are probably right with the Saws All technique.
SimS | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 | I like the sawzall method, it's a lot less work, and use an angle grinder to cut the tire bead. Stu | | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 215 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 215 | wow that video is pretty graphic, had no idea it would do that,so long after the fact, but then again I've never welded an assembled wheel before either, glad I never did ! I'm always skeptical around heating anything that has a closed chamber of any sorts, such as shocks, tanks etc. Even the rubber bushing on a shock absorber go off with a pretty good bang! Worked at a company once that was testing a furnace, and blew up half the concrete floor from the concentrated heat, that was scary. This video should go on the general page as its a pretty important safety tip. | | |
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