Remounting front tire

[paulsharvey]

Ive got a 27x8.5-15 R14 that apparently was low, and it came off wheel. Now, I have remounted a car tire in the past, but it was a real pain. I just spend about 1 hour fooling with this, any tricks?

I tired two large wrenches working around; I tried a bottle jack in 1 spot and working around with wrenches; i tried soaping to make it easier. Im not completely against taking it somewhere, but its Sunday, and i have a full week of work coming up,

 

[rScotty]

I know you know all this, but I do about the same as you are trying...

I like your idea of the bottle jack in one spot and then working around - but I would hold that third point with a different method, and use real tire irons - often with a cheater pipe - instead of wrenches.

Rather than a bottle jack, I'll sometimes wedge the far side of the tire between my shop stool and under the lip of the workbench, or C lamp it down to or under the bench with some clamps and wood. Holding that third point stationary is importantant no matter how it's done. Then the rest of the trick is to work around with the tire irons made for the purpose ($7.00 at HF). Get at least 24" ones and use a cheater pipe if necessary.

Now if there is a tube inside that tire, I have to use the smooth end of the tire tool and care or it will 100% pinch the tube. If no tube, just go for it.....using the bent end of the tool to gain some purchase on the tire and rim.

If I can find a third tire iron, and can draft a helper to hold one of them in place - then the job is much
easier.

And sometimes an old tire is just too stiff and hard for my old hands. Then I take it to the tire shop.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[bmaverick]

I gave up with using the garage tools and spent the $60 on the Harbor Freight improved Tire Changer this past Summer. It's already paid for itself 4X over now.

Works up to 18-inch rims.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I just installed tube in my front, same size. I used two prybars and vice grips to keep tire from coming off as I moved my way around rim. Went on pretty easy, considering. Soapy water, of course.

 

[flyerdan]

I got one of those HF clip on air chucks, took the guts out so it blows all the time. Seat the bead on the bottom, (while on the machine) put the chuck on the valveless stem, that leaves both hands free to raise the tire up and make the seal. The airflow seats the top bead, then replace the core and fill with a complete chuck.

 

[2manyrocks]

It helps to have a straight flow air chuck so you can fill the tire faster than it can leak out until the bead seats.

https://www.harborfreight.com/straight-air-chuck-with-lock-on-lever-70809.html?hftm_sc=747&hftm_source=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901270034&campaignid=21901270034&utm_content=171677805102&adsetid=171677805102&product=70809&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21901270034&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4daVqkU3FJuAoD19cnmlTIog&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8t6lyfG9kQMVurMDAB2YzwrWEAQYASABEgJaEPD_BwE

 

[zzvyb6]

Pay attention folks, he's trying to get it done NOW, not after a Harbor Freight run or Amazon delivery in a few days.

Use plenty of dish soap to lube the bead areas on both sides of the tire. With the tire on the ground, start shoving the wheel into the tire. Push it in so that the 'drop center' of the wheel is against the tire bead. This allows you to progressively work the wheel into the tire. The drop-center projects a smaller wheel radius to the tire bead so it can be shoved in. You can then use large screwdrivers or pry bars to slip the rim into the tire, a small increment at a time. Then flip it over and work the top side of the tire into the rim, again taking advantage of the wheel's drop-center to get the bead pried over the rim. This is the easy part.

Next is airing it up. If you have some sort of sealing goop, apply it on the rim flange area, both sides. I've used Flex-Seal spray on occasion. If the tire bead is tight against both sides of the rim, you're in luck. If you have a stem valve removal tool pull out the valve so that an air chuck can fill it faster, however, your air chuck may need the poppet valve to flow the air. If the fill doesn't work because of leaking around the beads, try using a ratchet strap to squeeze the bead(s) against the rim. Place the strap at the edge of the tire (in the same plane as the wheel rim). Don't put it in the center of the tire tread like most try. This isn't reliable. You might need TWO straps (one at each edge) if both beads need to be moved into a sealing position.

Add air enough to pop the beads onto the rim flange final positions on both sides.

BTW: Cold weather brings lower air pressure in tires and that contributes to air-loss situations, especially when turning sharp corners.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

Ive got a 27x8.5-15 R14 that apparently was low, and it came off wheel. Now, I have remounted a car tire in the past, but it was a real pain. I just spend about 1 hour fooling with this, any tricks?

I tired two large wrenches working around; I tried a bottle jack in 1 spot and working around with wrenches; i tried soaping to make it easier. Im not completely against taking it somewhere, but its Sunday, and i have a full week of work coming up,

I just had the same thing happen I happened to have a rear lawnmower tire on the rim I put under the tire I was mounting it was smaller than the tire I was mounting so the sidewall of the tire I was mounting was able to hang slightly below the rim also made the working height better. I was using two of my motorcycle tire spoons plus a longer pry bar and soaped the tire well. It was an industrial tire so very stiff.

I had to finally have my wife come out and hold one of the tire irons as the tire kept sliding away from the rim instead of slipping over the bead. It only took a few minutes taking small bites once my wife was able to be the third hand. Took a little time to get the bead seated with the valve core out and shooting air in I found out some of my chucks worked better than others. I think it was some had a smaller nipple in the tip and didn't open as far. I keep telling my wife I need to get her a pink toolbox as there have been more times where I call her out to help but she says no way she doesn't like the smell of the hydraulic oil and penetrant smells that linger in the garage.

 

[bmaverick]

Pay attention folks, he's trying to get it done NOW, not after a Harbor Freight run or Amazon delivery in a few days.

Use plenty of dish soap to lube the bead areas on both sides of the tire. With the tire on the ground, start shoving the wheel into the tire. Push it in so that the 'drop center' of the wheel is against the tire bead. This allows you to progressively work the wheel into the tire. The drop-center projects a smaller wheel radius to the tire bead so it can be shoved in. You can then use large screwdrivers or pry bars to slip the rim into the tire, a small increment at a time. Then flip it over and work the top side of the tire into the rim, again taking advantage of the wheel's drop-center to get the bead pried over the rim. This is the easy part.

Next is airing it up. If you have some sort of sealing goop, apply it on the rim flange area, both sides. I've used Flex-Seal spray on occasion. If the tire bead is tight against both sides of the rim, you're in luck. If you have a stem valve removal tool pull out the valve so that an air chuck can fill it faster, however, your air chuck may need the poppet valve to flow the air. If the fill doesn't work because of leaking around the beads, try using a ratchet strap to squeeze the bead(s) against the rim. Place the strap at the edge of the tire (in the same plane as the wheel rim). Don't put it in the center of the tire tread like most try. This isn't reliable. You might need TWO straps (one at each edge) if both beads need to be moved into a sealing position.

Add air enough to pop the beads onto the rim flange final positions on both sides.

BTW: Cold weather brings lower air pressure in tires and that contributes to air-loss situations, especially when turning sharp corners.

When H-F is 3 miles from home, then it's the go-to in town.

 

[paulsharvey]

I fought with it for about an hour, maybe 1.5 hrs; and finally admitted defeat for the day, gonna throw it in the work truck and see if i have time to swing by a tire shop. That starts the next challenge... its really no bigger than a truck tire, but seems a lot of tire shops just look at anything different, and say "we dont touch those".

They are dang stiff tires to work with, for the size. Car/truck tire sidewalks have a lot more give.

 

[zzvyb6]

When H-F is 3 miles from home, then it's the go-to in town.

But that's time, fuel, assembling the manual changer, finding a spot to fasten it down to, and still the tire is not yet mounted.
Why not tell him to do what I did: Buy a used Snap-on clamp style tire changer that can even do 8" wheels and enjoy the ride ? The bead breaker alone is worth the money ! Better than forks, especially if the candidate flat tire is ON the tractor !

 

[paulsharvey]

Got lucky. Today I was 0.5 miles from a Mavvis tire, and while waiting on some guys got it remounted, with new valve stem. They didnt have a code for it, so I just have the tech $30 cash, and was done in 15 mins

 

[chim]

Popped one front tire off last Winter while plowing. It stayed on the rim but it was so stiff that the ratchet strap didn't phase it. I used the loader to lift the front, removed the wheel and drove to town. The garage had it back on and aired up real fast for cheap.

 

[airbiscuit]

The deed is done, but the often overlooked task is to make sure the back side of the bead is tucked into the hollow of the rim, so it gives you more room to work with. It's the equivalent of making the diameter of the bead larger.

 

[DJ54]

Baby bites when using tire tools is your best bet. I have 4-5 tire tools, some split rim tools that work great, it doesn't take a big tool to mount even large tractor tires, although I do have some for the really big one's. Splurged a while back and got a set of motorcycle tire tool to do GT tires, haven't used them yet but will soon.

Front garden tractor tires seem to be a bigger PIA to work on than anything. Getting them on & off not so much but getting them to seat. Broke down 5-6 years ago and bought a used bead seater tank. Got frustrated one hot summer day and came in for a drink. Was looking through FaceBook Marketplace for bead seater tanks and a guy had just listed one a few minutes before I started looking for $40. Messaged him and he was just 12 miles away told him I would take it and was on my way.

Came home and aired it up and popped the tire out on the rim in a few minutes, whereas before I spent an hour trying to get it to seat. Well worth the money..!! I've done more than a few for myself, and some for neighbors & friends.

 

[2manyrocks]

FWIW, I think you were right to take it to a shop instead of fighting with it.

I bought the old version of the HF tire changer a couple of years ago, but then added the duckbill mod and a couple of other mods that required welding. It has been handy for changing lawn mower tires, trailer tires, etc., but it has to be anchored someway and by the time you buy all the extra stuff, the money adds up. Plus it's work to change tires.

 

[Oaktree]

Front garden tractor tires seem to be a bigger PIA to work on than anything. Getting them on & off not so much but getting them to seat. Broke down 5-6 years ago and bought a used bead seater tank.

If the tire's on the rim, it's usually pretty easy to get it to seat if you wrap a ratchet strap around the circumference and tighten it up. Usually can get it to seat by wiggling it around a bit. Getting those off/on rim can be a battle at times.

Getting car tires off a rim can be a major PITA. Had a bunch of old ones around (mostly "winter" rims for vehicles I don't have anymore). Transfer station won't accept them on rims, wasn't about to pay $15/wheel to get them done at a garage. Even using pallet forks a lot of those beads didn't want to break, and even once they did was not fun getting the tires off. Man, don't ever want to have to do that again!

 

[Eagle1]

If the tire's on the rim, it's usually pretty easy to get it to seat if you wrap a ratchet strap around the circumference and tighten it up. Usually can get it to seat by wiggling it around a bit. Getting those off/on rim can be a battle at times.

Getting car tires off a rim can be a major PITA. Had a bunch of old ones around (mostly "winter" rims for vehicles I don't have anymore). Transfer station won't accept them on rims, wasn't about to pay $15/wheel to get them done at a garage. Even using pallet forks a lot of those beads didn't want to break, and even once they did was not fun getting the tires off. Man, don't ever want to have to do that again!

Fire no effort at all..... just smoky
Then recycle the rims for some $$$

 

[DJ54]

If the tire's on the rim, it's usually pretty easy to get it to seat if you wrap a ratchet strap around the circumference and tighten it up. Usually can get it to seat by wiggling it around a bit. Getting those off/on rim can be a battle at times.

Getting car tires off a rim can be a major PITA. Had a bunch of old ones around (mostly "winter" rims for vehicles I don't have anymore). Transfer station won't accept them on rims, wasn't about to pay $15/wheel to get them done at a garage. Even using pallet forks a lot of those beads didn't want to break, and even once they did was not fun getting the tires off. Man, don't ever want to have to do that again!

Yep, did that, didn't help the tires were pretty squished and nearly touching in the center. Bounced them a bit to widen them out, then hit it with the bead seater tank, popped it out in an instant. Saves a lot of time and aggravation..!!

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Anyone mentioned starting fluid & a match yet?