Setting beads on tubless tires

[Budweiser John]

Having lost an entire weekend recently because of not being able to set the bead on a front tubeless tractor tire begs me to me to check out the validity of a tip I once herd from an old excavator guy from upper Michigan.

Ol Axelrod said, just put the tire on the rim and squirt a little starting fluid in the tire and touch it off with a match. Problem solved. Well, guys, fact or fiction? Must say, that concept makes my back side pucker a bit...........

 

[aczlan]

If you get just the right amount of starter fluid in, it works well. If you get too much in, the tire can make itself into many small pieces. If you dont get enough in, it doesn't do much (speaking from experience on the 1st and 3rd).
Did you try a ratchet strap around the outside of the tire?

Aaron Z

 

[Timm250]

Fact.... but really dangerous. Too much & you have a bomb. A ratchet strap is a lot safer & works just as good only a little slower.

 

[Midniteoyl]

 

[hawkeye08]

Rachet strap usually will do it, sometimes I take the valve core out and use air chuck that has lever valve on it (not dependent on valve stem to operate). This flows much more air from compressor and will usually overcome a stubborn tire.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Always helps to lube the bead with some water with a bit of soap. Lets the bead slip onto rim much easier. Removing valve stem work well as it allows much more air to flow.

Good luck

Rick

 

[tlm720]

I've found if you do all the above except the ratchet strap or starting fluid and use a mall or large hammer and pound on the outside diameter of the tire as you apply air that the pressure created from pounding will help. I've used ratchet straps and found the pounding to be more effective in some cases.

 

[bjr]

I bought a bead cheata. It's a air tank with a large valve and a nozzle to direct the air flow and it really works. bjr

 

[mrmikey]

I've used three methods. Ether: fastest and by far the most dangerous. Ratchet strap: one of the safest and most aggravating. Rubber donut: that is made specifically for tubeless tires. It's slightly smaller than the bead size and roughly 1 1/2" in diameter, you lube it up and it fills in the space between the bead and wheel rim. As you inflate the tire the donut is forced out till it pops out of the space. Of all I prefer the donut...Mike

 

[JerryK]

If the ratchet strap does not do it, you can use bicycle tubes. Buy a small assortment of tubes in about the size you need and put one [ fill tube with air first ] that fits inbetween the rim and tire on one side to fill the void. Usually gives you enough seal that you can get the tire to seat. Too small a tube, and it will get in the way of the tire bead on it's way to the rim. Too big, and it won't seal properly. Anywhilst, I've done it this way before...

 

[Travelover]

After watching this video, it makes me wonder if the old starting fluid trick could start a runaway reaction.

Wheels of Fire Training Video - YouTube

 

[PANHAPP]

BJR has it right with the cheata. Check Harbor Freight. I got the large one.

Pan

 

[Budweiser John]

Thanks all for the info. Removing the valve stem makes a lot of sense. The pyrotechnic (starting fluid) thing makes me nervous. Of course, paying attention to the tire pressure in the first place would have eliminated the problem in the first place. Shame on Me.

 

[LD1]

I wouldnt use starting fluid unless you have done it before or witnessed it before. But it certainly isnt something a rookie should try. And if you do, make sure the valve stem is out.

All good advise given so far. Ratchet straps, hammer, take the core out to allow faster air delivery, soap, etc.

But if it is that frustrating, just put tubes in the tires and be done.

 

[oldyellr]

I'd never heard of the starting fluid method, but it sure looks interesting. Watching the Youtube video and some of the other linked ones, the first one only showed a small shot of ether being used but another one showed a whole lot more and they both worked. One thing that concerns me is the effect of the ether on rubber, but I guess it's been used for generations in rubber intakes for starting engines.

Personally, I've used a rope, tightened like a tourniquet using a tire iron. Also, when you air the tire, remove the valve core to allow maximum flow of air into the tire. Tire shops with high capacity compressors do it that way all the time, but your home compressor may not have enough CFM. But removing the valve core still makes a lot of difference.

 

[Bird]

BJR has it right with the cheata. Check Harbor Freight. I got the large one.

Pan

I don't find anything on Harbor Freight's website.:confused3: I've used the ratchet strap myself, and saw one of the bead cheaters used at a tire dealership a few months ago for the first time. But the ones I've seen on the Internet are pretty expensive.

 

[Qapla]

A recent episode of Ice Road Truckers had one of the drivers use the starting fluid method because he had to fix the tire while still on the truck out in the middle of nowhere ... it worked.

I have used the ratchet strap and it has never failed me. I have used a rope on a car tire, but I found that I couldn't get it to work on the much tougher tractor tire ... but the ratchet strap pulls the tire in quite well. Just be careful releasing it because with the added air pressure, the strap is very tight when you go to remove it.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I watched 2 guys trying to seat a tire with starting fluid... one ended up in the hospital. Beer was involved.

I have done it myself... without the beer. Kids were watching. I made them stand WAY back. Scared the he11 outta me... took 6-7 trys to get the amount of starting fluid/lighting method down... don't recomend doing it.

 

[PANHAPP]

I don't find anything on Harbor Freight's website.:confused3: I've used the ratchet strap myself, and saw one of the bead cheaters used at a tire dealership a few months ago for the first time. But the ones I've seen on the Internet are pretty expensive.

I must have gotten it off of ebay. This TSI Cheetah Bead Seater — Commercial-Quality, Model# CH-005 | Bead Breakers| Northern Tool + Equipment what they look like You can beat Northerns price. I bought mine after I had to take a truck tire to the tire shop just to get it aired up.

Pan

 

[kenmac]

I thought everybody used starting fluid. I've used it for yrs.I guess I'm lucky.I'm still here