Help please i need to change the tyres on my f350 1955 fire truck.The size of the tyres are 7.00x16 the wheels i think are semi drop center rim.They are not split rims.Well with me living in the UK i took my wheels to a tyre comany that fits lorry tyre.But they said they have never seen my kind of wheel before so they dont know how to get the tyre off the rim.The tyre has add all the air let out.Now there is a ring around the rim which looks like it needs to come off so the old tyre can be removed.The ring has a cut out bit were it looks like you could fit a bar to leaver the ring off.But the ring is smaller than the wheel rim so it will not come off.I have noticed on the ring it has a scalloped area or cut away portion.Do i have to line this up anywere to get it off.All so when i need to refit the ring how do you get the ring which is smaller over the rim of the wheel which is bigger.mmmmmmmmmmm this is doing my head in now as this is the second garage i have been to but still not fitted.Thanks Pete in the UK

 

got any pictures? would help

Sam

 

Hello, Is the ring split near the cut away portion? The wheel may be the kind that was common on Ford pickups up thru the 70s. You may want to try going to a tire dealer with some old guys on staff, as most younger guys may not have ever seen them.
If it is a wheel with a split side ring, you really do need to go to someone who knows what they are doing. You may want to contact some military vehicle collectors near you, as some military vehicles used the split side ring wheels, and they may know shops familiar with them.
Good luck.

 

First I must ask if you've taken the wheel/tire to a proper lorry service facility. Here in the states, normal car service shops won't have a clue what to do. Maybe the same in the UK. I'd be surprised if the mounting systems used here are different there, but maybe so.

Rather than try to talk you through the service, I'll attach OSHA web documents that include the procedures as well as all the safety precautions that apply. Please follow them closely if you do this yourself. People can get hurt. The way you have described the wheel it sounds like what we'd call a "lock ring" design. This should be safe to use as long as you don't find bad rust or other road damage. The one thing I'll add is a caution that when removing the ring be careful to not stretch or bend it. Just work it off carefully so as not to damage it. Here's the links.

http://www.tireindustry.org/pdf/osha_Demount-Mount.pdf

http://www.tireindustry.org/pdf/osha_Rim%20Matching.pdf

 

I would out the applicable pages of the PDF file Truckdog gave you the link to and take it to a place that specializes in doing truck tire work. The pictures in there show the propper way and procedure for doing the work.

Later Man...

 

Thank you for taking the time to help me.I have now printed the info off ready to take with me to the garage.