Who, if any mounts thier own tires?

[motordude]

I have yet to attemp an ATC tire mounting. Am I swimming out to far or is it fairly simple. I have mounted dirtbike and motorcycle tires in the past with no problems. I have the tire irons, rim savers etc. Is it a pain and worth trying to find a shop that will mount a tire I did not buy from them or should I save the money and do it myself?

Its just the front tire on my 84 200x. Its an original so it has been on there for quite some time.

[f4istunna]

i have one of those harbor frieght manual tire changers and usually dont have too much of a problem breaking them down and installing new ones.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

You wont be able to get the tire off with tire irons alone, you need to break the bead on both sides first. I have a very old fashoned bead breaker, its just a lever with a platform that the tire/rim sits on. It works pretty good once you get the hang of it. I have changed a bunch of atv tires, but there are times that it is just not possible for me to do, and just end up having to bring the tire to a shop and have them use their pneumatic breaker, which is effortless. There are a lot of threads on here about this topic if the search function will work for you for more help. Good luck!

[350XJEDI]

:DI HAVE DONE A BUNCH they can be a pain but,not impossibly hard , the hardest part is getting the old ones off ,then its downhill from there saves$$ some shops will rake you over.. but if lucky you can find a cheaper ,cash ,of the books guy , the atv tire machine at et harbor fraight is handy , good luck ,:cool:

[nstyle73]

Personal experience has taught me that if you have an excuse to be near a shop, possibly two days in a row for dropping off and picking up, its probably worth the $8-$12 they charge around here. Unless you have a bead breaker, its not coming off, and depending on rim width vs. tire width, it can be a bear to get on. Larger diameter rims and narrower tires are easier, so you might get away with doing a front tire like you have. Just my opinion from some frustrating past experiences.

[jrwebb8324]

An easy way to break the beads is too run the edge of the tire over with your pickup, but you have to be real careful not to hit the rim. I have done this a few times. Always works and doesn't hurt the rim if its done right. Pops the bead right off.

[motordude]

Thanks for the input everyone, I am going to try it myslef and if I fail, just like my first marriage, I will get back on my donkey and bring it to a shop!

[200xranger]

the harbor freight bead breaker is awesome, a good way to spend 40 bucks, will pay for itself in no time. i have one and it works great. some rear tires have to be taken off a certain way. push tire down and look at the inside of the wheel. there is usually a big lip and a little lip. take the side with the little lip off first. the fronts it usually dont matter

[pjschulze30]

It's a pain in the a** I've done dozens over the years, and while I was having tires on my car put on at Tire Kingdom last year I asked them if they did that. He said no problem and charged me $5.00 per tire including new valves. I WILL NEVER CHANGE A TIRE AGAIN. I suggest you go to your local TK....for $15.00 it's well worth avoid the aggro & skinned knuckles.

[cr480r]

I worked at a tire shop for a year.. I saw idiot co-workers ruin many beads and bend many wheels.. it happens, but the guys that did sloppy work would seldom admit to it if they didnt have to.. About a year ago i took some wheels in to have some tires swapped around.. took my cherry rear ohtsus in for some aluminum wheels.. When i went back the next day with 2 flats they blamed it on the tires being old... BS... beads ripped on both of them... I also took my best of 3 wheels in for new front max and they bent it to all hell.. the kid tried to tell me it was already like that... and even lied in front of his manager.. I do all my own tires now... if i cant break the beads with my breaker, i'll let a known experienced tireman break the beads.. I do all the dismount and mounting.. Ya some can be stubborn, but all sucessful tire swaps are rewarding in my opinion... I dont ever wanna drive 2 hours to the dunes just to find out my paddles dont hold air and have been ruined by a tireman that played stupid as he helped me load them up...

[350XJEDI]

:D thats the same reason i do almost all my tires ,:mad: the guys at most tire shops are idiots ,:cool: i found one older guy that will break the beads on those stubborn ones for 5$ cash then i dismount and mount on my own . paying for bent wheels or messed up tires got old fast . the bead breaker works good for me only the oldest most stubborn ones need to go to tire store. the atv shop charges $25 to mount tires they didnt sell ,but they do know how at least !! the more you do yourself the easyer , plus satifaction of job done right :crazy::cool::beer

[swifty]

this is what i just cobbed up, its and old rear axle welded to a rim, then i can interchange any of my hubs 3 or 4 bolt and bolt the rim to it makes mounting a lot easier, also it clamps into my atlas automotive tire machine wich has a strong air power bead breaker, before this i had a cheap harbor freight red manual tire changer worked on some tires, they aslo atlas want $260 for the atv adapters for my tire machine it only goes down to 12in rite now i dont do enough small stuff to justify that

[HONDA_ATC_FREAK]

If the old tires junk I find it easier to just cut it off with a sawsall and then mount the new tire saves a lot of time and hassle. I take mine to the shop in town mostly the only charge a couple of buck and they're a mom and pop knda place. Theres only three people that work there. The old man and his wife and his grandson. They've been there 50years so I like to support my local buisness rather then see them go under to some other big chain shop. But then again It' a small town around here 400 people everyone knows everyone and we know who to trust so it's not hard to tell whos a moron and not to let them touch my stuff.:D

[Dirtcrasher]

I have never had 100% luck with the board and truck tire method.

I've been mounting and unmounting all my tires with the Harbor Freight changer and the ATV bead breaker (4.99 extra and wider) I bolt it to the floor with inserts in my concrete so there flush when I'm done and I've modified other parts of it for certain rims. Many tires I can put on with dishsoap bubbles and a pair of workboots. If not, off to tire irons I go...........

[Xpress]

Usually if I want to save the tire, I will take it to a tire shop. If the tire is of no use to me anymore (I.E. has a hole), then I will just cut the beads. Little dish soap, and some TLC will get the new tire on :D

[gomer202]

Me and my dad do all of ours but then again he has a mechanic shop so we have all of the right tools but the tire machine Doesent work for the rims

[ironchop]

I do all my own....$35 PER WHEEL is what they are getting around here for an "off and on" on an ATV wheel (more $$ than to do a car wheel)

I have three brand new Fast Trekker 18x8 with nipples still on the tires and have beads torn to hell...thanks to the "certified tech" with his "ATV wheel machine" at the local shops...they won`t replace the tires as they tried to blame the tires being bad (bad and NEW)...worst part was I told him the first tire to lube the bead and quit running the machine on it with dry beads...he didn`t listen. The police had to come and escort me off the property after some things I said regarding "how" I would get my money back from them.

Next was another shop who promptly twisted up a brand new Blue Label Douglas wheel into a shiny pretzel while trying to mount a two-ply tire....Blue labels are thin but DANG MAN...and I did not get a new rim (forgot to read the sign where it says "If WE break it, YOU still bought it")

Lube the tire beads real good...use good irons (NOT a giant screwdriver)...put them on short bead side first...and take LITTLE bites with the irons and it`s not that bad....frustrating sometimes yes, but not near as frustrating as them trashing three tires and a rim and you foot the bill...because there apparently is NO HONOR in business anymore

[ironchop]

the kid tried to tell me it was already like that... and even lied in front of his manager...

I would have been arrested at the tire shop...for assault

you sir, are a better man than me for I would NOT have been able to control my temper...takes a special kind of douche to lie on a guy right in front of him

better man than me, indeed.

[tx200m]

Is it possible to break the beads loose by deflating the tire and going for a little ride? A old man told me he did that once on a quad. I may just cut mine off then , Ive got plenty of tools.

[swifty]

if you have steel wheels or aluminum ones that are not real nice heat the bead of the rims, the most stubborn bead will usualy pop off with ease, ive had auto beads on huge superswamper truck tires and rust fused beads in my shop that even a professional tire machine wont bust, put some heat to um off they come, just like rusty bolts and heat!
just dont get to crazy if you want to save the tire or you can char the bead, otherwise heat the $h1t out of it

[bugler30]

the old school atc tires have a HUGE bead on them, like 2 inches wide, they can be a beast. This is also why tires shops tend to charge so much. "modern" tires aren't so bad as the seat like a normal car tire. My brother and I have changed many tires with an ancient tire press and some ingenuity. Bottom line is if you do it often enough it is worth investing in some sort of equipment, then you only have your self to be pissed at when you mount the trailpro backward ;)

[nd4speed]

Tire chain by me, Discount Tire, raised their prices to $8 for dismount or mount.

I have watched them use the touchless tire machine and it looked far safer than a beadbreaker on .125" rims

[motordude]

This is great. thanks for all the insight guys, The tire is junk and I never thought of just cutting it off:naughty:

[aldochina]

original oem tires are usually a real pain. I made myself a manual changing machine recently, and have had great sucsess with it on some tuff tires, but this original 85 350x front tire just would not come off. I got one side to break, and could not get the other side!! i was pissed!! i hate failure!! had to cut it, which isnt easy if you want to not make a mess of the rim. i have tried the truck method, worked on some, others not so much.

[bcredneck]

i use my work bench and a modifide dodge neon car jack worked fine till the bench snaped after about 5 tires

[greenhuman]

I just had to open this thread and have a look. I thought before I did though that I like some of my tires a lot but have never thought of mounting them. I'm glad it was about changing tires. Whew.

[WIkid500]

It's a simple procedure that can often be turned into a b!tch of a procedure. I used the truck to brake the beads on the last four tires I changed, it sucked. Then I had my friend change my tires when he worked at the tire shop, live was easy then. So my advise is if you don't have a tire changer find a friend who does or pay a few bucks and have them changed at the local shop.

[bcredneck]

if i cant brake a bead ok tire in town brakes them for free cause i know the owner

[nd4speed]

I saw a thread where someone from New York got taken for $100 to do 4 tires I think (hope).
here it is:
http://www.everything2stroke.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45330

Wow , that sucks.

[Grizzlypeg]

I made a crescent shaped head for my hydraulic press and I use that to break the bead on everything from ATV to truck tires.

[jrsqlc]

I mount my own now...but i have beadlocks also!! I love the dual beadlock....i wouldnt trust anyone with my carbon firber wheels.....they would be junk within seconds of someone at a tire shop touching them!

[Fonzi]

First time tackling a Chen knobby with a couple irons, tire won. 2 shops, new rim and $65 later, tire 2 me 0. One trip Harbor Freight for their small tire/atv tire changer ($39) and 30 mins of what seemed to be hillbilly hand fishing for a tire later and put one in the win column for me.

Highly recommend the changer, after I broke the bead on the new tire and saw how screwed up The shops made it, wasn't happy to say the least. I would recommend investing in a wide ratchet strap if you are going to tackle 25x12x9 tires.

[atc007]

Been changing them 23 years,,with ALL hand tools. I've bought a few of the HF ones,,but sold them before I got them lagged down! I use a tractor slam bead breaker. It is a very dangerous tool around alum rims! But for steel,works great. Tire changing is an art form. I didn't really realize it till the last few years. I remember how hard it was! I use soap and or lube,,whatevers available. Funny I just saw this,,the last 6 I changed have been OE .. What a dream! Sealed Instantly! Beaded easy,,,just like perfection !

[tri again]

What is a 'tractor slam bead breaker' and where can I find one?

I've gently dropped my tractor drag blade on the tires next to the wheel
and with the curve of the blade, it can have a good angle of attack.
and then jump up and down on them.

I guess there's no easy answer but almost nothing is worth donating body parts for.

( i need to do 3 this week somehow)

[DasUberKraut]

When everyone talks about the the bead breaker from Harbor Freight, is it the yellow US General brand that is actually meant for light truck and car tires? http://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-92961.html I just bought that one recently and it doesn't work for crap on the ATC rims. It works like a dream on auto tires. With a couple of tire irons and a buddy, you can have a car tire and rim separated in less than 5 mins. But my buddy and I had to fight with it to get it to break beads on ATC rims. After all the fighting I think I need to have the bead breaker welded up so it's more sturdy than just the small bolts they give you for it. Is there a better model of bead breaker at HF that I don't know about? Local shops will NOT touch any two-piece ATC rim at all. That being said, When I get my two-piece rims sandblasted and painted up. Is it hard to get the beads set after they are pieced together. My one buddy says to always use and inner tube and you will never have a problem. What's the point of a tubeless tire if you require a tube to set the beads?

I've also heard of people using a ratchet strap on tires but not sure what. Not a ratchet strap wth hooks on the end but one that feeds back into itself to make a complete circle if that makes sense. Anyone know how that method works?

[Jeepermc]

The ratchet strap is mostly for seating a tough bead on a tire that is too skinny for the wheel. Wrapped completely around the circumference of the tire and cinched tight, it will spread the tire ( and beads) farther toward the seat making it easier to seat the tire tubeless.

[DasUberKraut]

The ratchet strap is mostly for seating a tough bead on a tire that is too skinny for the wheel. Wrapped completely around the circumference of the tire and cinched tight, it will spread the tire ( and beads) farther toward the seat making it easier to seat the tire tubeless.

That makes sense I guess. I knew te strap went around the circumference, but I didn't know if it was for seating or breaking beads. Now I know.

[ceaserthethird]

It's pain with the HF tire changer kit, Took me day's lol

I did a pair, and the rest i take to the shop !

[Sublunacy]

Bead breakers for atv tires is kinda overkill don't you think, stand in the deflated tire and hit it 5 times with 16 oz or larger hammer, with a 1 inch thick board vertical between the tire bead and hammer. Takes maybe 10 seconds :lol:

[Lil Earl]

i have always used my picup, it always worked perfectly with 2 people, it only failed once. my s10 was not heavy enough to break my dad's bead on his old quad, someone put that bead glue on it, so when we used my buddies f250 it popped right away but it always worked

[polka]

I had no idea the horrors involved in changing ATC tires. Thanks guys, now I'm afraid to bring in my near perfect SX rims and new P/V's for mounting anywhere!

[440brew]

my local discount tire does it for $3 per tire. I dont believe you can beat that.

If you have really nice wheels just ask to watch and let them know they are in perfect condition and the cost is they damage... it they are professional they should accomodate a simple request like this.

[polka]

It makes sense to be there watching, I just don't want them to hand me a pile of carnage and say, "Oops".

[just ben]

It makes sense to be there watching, I just don't want them to hand me a pile of carnage and say, "Oops".that happend to me recently.the shop damaged my front wheel. they gave me 100.00 credit whoop dee. the credit is useless since I will never go there again

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Bead breakers for atv tires is kinda overkill don't you think, stand in the deflated tire and hit it 5 times with 16 oz or larger hammer, with a 1 inch thick board vertical between the tire bead and hammer. Takes maybe 10 seconds :lol:

That trick hasnt served me very well with OE tires that have been on the rims for over 25 years. If i cant break the beads with the truck, ill take them to my shop and pay $5 a tire to break em down, and Ill mount the new ones myself. Mounting the new tires is a piece of cake next to breaking down 25 year mounted OE's on steel rims.... Maybe its just me?

[Fonzi]

I have a tire with a slow leak on the beads, 3 days that flat. Any suggestions on laying a bead on silicon or something on the bead rim? I read posts on that somewhere, but can't find it again. Brand new tire that the shop goobered up the bead in a couple spots. Or am I just out and need a new tire?

[just ben]

I have a tire with a slow leak on the beads, 3 days that flat. Any suggestions on laying a bead on silicon or something on the bead rim? I read posts on that somewhere, but can't find it again. Brand new tire that the shop goobered up the bead in a couple spots. Or am I just out and need a new tire? you may wanna try bead sealer

[DasUberKraut]

Which HF bead breaker is everyone talking about? The one I posted a link for or a different one? I'm curious if there's a better designed one out there.

[Fonzi]

http://www.harborfreight.com/mini-tire-changer-34552.html
It is a tire changer with a bead braker. It works great I just used it tonight to reseal a tire with a goobered up bead. It works best if can mount it to something sturdy. Easier than the "get a big hammer and tire irons" method.

[MN250R]

walmart 5.00 a tire mount and dismount

[tri again]

I have a tire with a slow leak on the beads, 3 days that flat. Any suggestions on laying a bead on silicon or something on the bead rim? I read posts on that somewhere, but can't find it again. Brand new tire that the shop goobered up the bead in a couple spots. Or am I just out and need a new tire?

I find the walmart idea interesting unless them blame..oh never mind.

I'm gonna have them do a few of mine.
But anyway,
a few things I've heard......
mostly from the 'search' key on here.
It would be infinitely more humorous if it wasn't a NEW tire.

tubes are cheap and have their plusses and minuses.
They work and hold air, they scuff and wear out inside the tire,
use lots of cornstarch to keep them from scuffing. and you have to go thru it all again
to get tube in them.

Bead sealer can make them impossible to dismount in the future.

I've just tried 'slime' in one of mine.
Some say it's never a good idea but if it fixes a leak
and keeps them from going flat and cracking the sidewalls, I'm not sure I care.

If and when the tire wears out, I'll be too old to ride anyway.
I heard the best comment about 'slime' when I was reading the instructions at the store...
"what if I have a flat and don't even know it?"

(it plugs leaks as you ride)

I used to hate dead batteries, now I hate tires.
Good luck and pls let us know what you found for a fix.

[Fonzi]

$12 can of industrial bead sealer and we are holding steady at 10psi for a day. What I thought was going to be a great deal on a $22 new Carlise knobby and $20 mount, turned into a $150 dollar, 6 day, incoherent f-bomb fueled epic. Joining this board helped me out greatly, thanks everyone, hope I can return the favor.

[tri again]

$12 can of industrial bead sealer and we are holding steady at 10psi for a day. What I thought was going to be a great deal on a $22 new Carlise knobby and $20 mount, turned into a $150 dollar, 6 day, incoherent f-bomb fueled epic. Joining this board helped me out greatly, thanks everyone, hope I can return the favor.

Yupp. 30$ tire and 30$ shipping or
61$ with free shipping.
3x = more than I've ever paid for my favorite trikes.

Where did you find the carlisle? like 22x11x8" stock size?

I have new tires on the west coast and dad needs some on the east coast
so 100$ shipping and 20 x3 to mount..
not sure we can win.

The nice thing is after all the heartache, we forget the pain and
get to ride.

[Fonzi]

Walmart last one in stock buried in their storage. The guy in the auto section said the last time they sold one was in '08. 25 by 12 by 9. $22 was too cheap to pass up. I agree, lesson learned, new skill developed in mounting myself and proud to see the BR sitting in the shop ready to be put through it's paces. So next time you brave wally world it couldn't hurt going back and asking if they have any in stock.

[DasUberKraut]

My mother inlaw works in the Tire & Lube Express Dept at one of the local Wally Worlds. I should have her look up what they have for atv tires. Employee discount. Ha ha.

[M1841]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and am looking for help. I've changed a tire that was dryrotted and have a new one but can't get the rim o ring to hold air. (I must mention that my 3 wheeler has been in the shed for 25 years) It had been holding air for 29 to 30 minutes and now won't hold it to even get any pressure. Is the best thing to replace the ring or what?

[robtech]

I always mount my own. Got so frustrated with all the BS bead breakers, so I made my own :cool:


http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?135350-Bead-Blaster&highlight=

[MTS]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and am looking for help. I've changed a tire that was dryrotted and have a new one but can't get the rim o ring to hold air. (I must mention that my 3 wheeler has been in the shed for 25 years) It had been holding air for 29 to 30 minutes and now won't hold it to even get any pressure. Is the best thing to replace the ring or what?

You can still get new o rings just need to go to a seal/bearing shop and match it up, use a thin film of grease on it and tighten down the two rim halfs evenly in steps to keep the o ring from pinching and pushing out to one side or the other. May take a few tries just keep an eye on that oring pushing out of the groove, also make sure the o ring groove is clean.

[aldochina]

yes, i now mount my own tire's!! check it out if you havnt already!!
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?135464-if-you-dig-home-made!-that-works!!

[M1841]

Thanks MTS! I'll have to look for a shop near here. Getting the old 3 wheeler to roll again will make everything worthwhile. I'll let you know how it goes. Wish I had taken a before and after shot.

[dexterr]

I gotta repair these for the 200s,but they're aluminum I'm letting a shop do them,

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/whittingtondexter/IMAG0743-1.jpg

[Frankencelery]

I don't see the HF tire changer on their website anymore. I saw the other one that someone posted, but that's not the one that many of us have. Anyone know where this has gone?

Like many others here, I have mixed feelings about doing my own. My local shop thinks that every ATV tire says "INFLATE TO 20 PSI" on them, so I have to remind them every time to inflate until the bead seats, then FRICKING STOP! But the fact is that me and my manual bead breaker/tire changer are on fairly hostile terms too. You can't win.