Mounting ATV Tires
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 275
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Mounting ATV Tires
Since it concerns an ATV, I gues that makes it kind of automotive related. Is it possible to mount ATV tires at home with handtools? I've heard (one person) that it can be a real bear to get the new ones over the rim with pry tools and then get the bead seated. Anybody ever tried this at home? Thanks.
REX
REX
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I haven't done it before, but I don't think it would be too difficult with some patience and persistence, then again it probably won't cost much if anything to get them mounted at your local tire shop.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Mount Calvary, WI
I've done this with atv and lawn mower tires. If you are having a hard time getting the tire on the rim spray some soapy water on the tire. This will also help to get tire off of rim. It can be tricky getting it to bead though. I usually would tie a rope around the tire with a board. This will allow you to twist the board to tighten the rope and push the sides of the tire towards the bead of the rim.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
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From: Ontario, canada
I've done it before, You can either use the "starting fluid method", or connect an airhose to the valvestem withthe core removed and carefully manipulate the tire on the rim until it "catches" and seats the bead.
Use your own judgement as far as shop safety goes.
Use your own judgement as far as shop safety goes.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
I've done a ton of them and putting them on was never a problem it was getting the old ones off that was a bear most of them I had to sawzall the bead wire.If you have a good vise leave the hubs on and put some kind of rod in the vise place the wheel over the rod put some dish detergent on the rim and the tire and work the tire around the rim,some times it helps to have a extra set of hands to help hold the tire down.I've used tire irons and screw drivers with great success this way.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
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From: Southern MD
I had to change the rear tire on my lawn tractor a couple of years ago. It was verrrrrrrrry easy, once I got that danged rim off the axle!
As for inflating the tire once it's on the rim, I use a motorcycle 'tie-down' strap. Slip it around the tire - - - cinch it up - - - inflate - - - loosen the strap and take it off.
The front wheel (this year) was a different story.
I've owned 'tire tools' for motorcycle tires/rims for 30+ years. They were a help, but, they are not perfect.
I fought that tire for 30 minutes, then thought about the sawzall like GlennFordx4 said. I finally got it off the rim.
Getting one back on. . . that's another story.
I wound up at a mower repair shop about 15 minutes from home. $5.00!
Done deal. It took that young man 5 minutes. He used one (1) round shank screwdriver to pop the tire onto the rim and the edge of a workbench.
Their trick. . . instead of soapy water, they use WD40.
Goo luck with it, thomasr!
As for inflating the tire once it's on the rim, I use a motorcycle 'tie-down' strap. Slip it around the tire - - - cinch it up - - - inflate - - - loosen the strap and take it off.
The front wheel (this year) was a different story.
I've owned 'tire tools' for motorcycle tires/rims for 30+ years. They were a help, but, they are not perfect.
I fought that tire for 30 minutes, then thought about the sawzall like GlennFordx4 said. I finally got it off the rim.
Getting one back on. . . that's another story.
I wound up at a mower repair shop about 15 minutes from home. $5.00!
Done deal. It took that young man 5 minutes. He used one (1) round shank screwdriver to pop the tire onto the rim and the edge of a workbench.
Their trick. . . instead of soapy water, they use WD40.
Goo luck with it, thomasr!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, canada
one other thing... some ATV rimes are larger on one side than the other. the tire will only fit over one side when your mounting or removing it. Measure both sides before you start.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 602
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I always do my own. The best way I have found to remove the old tire is to take out the valve stem and lay the wheel on flat ground. Then lay a 4x4 piece of wood on the tire as close to the rim as possible then drive your Ford up the wood. It helps to trim the edge of the wood so the car/truck can drive up it, and you might want to have a buddy watch to make sure the wood didn't walk up the rim so it doesn't get damaged. Then lube it up and get two tire irons and pull it off. New tires can be put on without any tools, just lube them and stand on em'.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,340
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From: SW VA
If you are taking off the stock tires....it might be tricky. Usually, the manufacturers glue the beads on...at least that was the case with my Honda. Took them to a tire shop, and they were able to get the rear tires off, but the fronts wouldnt budge. So we just took a knife and cut around the bead, and used a dremel and wire cutters to get the bead off.
A couple pry-bars and a little soapy water is all it takes to get the new ones on.
A couple pry-bars and a little soapy water is all it takes to get the new ones on.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 287
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From: Utah
I change my own all the time. I even made a Tire Machine to do it with. I have 5 ATV's and 3 Boys that think Tires grow on trees.
Like everyone says, breaking the bead is the hardest part. This is because the Factory Rims have a ridge that sits just behind where the tire bead does when inflated. This ridge acts as a lock so that when the tire goes flat, it does not pop off the bead, and is still driveable.
In Harbor Freight or JC Whitney, they both have a quick tool for breaking the bead on these. They hook the center of the rim, then have a Cam action to push down on the bead. I made my own, but last time I checked, they were only $40. Well worth the money when it comes to busting your knuckles.
Like everyone says, breaking the bead is the hardest part. This is because the Factory Rims have a ridge that sits just behind where the tire bead does when inflated. This ridge acts as a lock so that when the tire goes flat, it does not pop off the bead, and is still driveable.
In Harbor Freight or JC Whitney, they both have a quick tool for breaking the bead on these. They hook the center of the rim, then have a Cam action to push down on the bead. I made my own, but last time I checked, they were only $40. Well worth the money when it comes to busting your knuckles.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, canada
If your planning on changing your tires soon, use some of the "slime" type of antiflat compound in the tire. It makes breaking the bead alot easier. I use a set of motorcycle tire irons to pry the beads off.
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