Is it possible to remove and remount a tire onto a rim with out special tools? I have a couple of 15" trailer tires I'd like to replace and I like to know if it's possible. thanks

 

What you need is a 3-4in length of 3in steel angle and a sledge hammer to "break" the bead into the rim. Then either two large screwdeivers or preferably two tire irons to prise the beads up over the rim. Then a big hammer and the tire irons again to refit the tire on the rim. Not that difficult.

 

It is possible but, not fun and pretty difficult. You will need a couple of pry bars to get the tire off and on, and be carefull not to cut the tire. Also breaking the bead to remove the tire will prove difficult. As for setting the bead on installtion. There are some creative ideas out there. One of which involves starting a small fire. Imho it's just better to go to a tire shop and pay the 20 bucks.

 

And money well spent for sure.

Tim

 

Make sure you do not hit yourself in the head with the sledge hammer ...

Breaking the beads with a high lift jack is pretty easy. Put a 1x6 piece of wood on the tire, base of jack on wood, jack under truck frame or bumper. As you try to lift the vehicle, the jack base will push down on the wood and break the bead.

Or drive over it very slowly with a truck with a truck tire very close to the edge of the bead/rim lip., works better with a spotter.

If you buy a (2) 30" curved tire spoons from Northern Tools and use a cheater bar on one, it should be easy to mount and dismount tires on the trailer rims.

 

Ditto the jack trick to break the beads.

Big box-end wrenchs work well, as they have smooth edges and will slip along as you work them along the tire/wheel to pull the sidewall over the rim.

Once you have it started, it gets a lot easier.

It also depends on condition. If they are old and rusted, an air powered machine might be the only way to get them off.

 

Cut a 4'X2"X12" with a circumference of the tire on one end. Set it on the tire. Then drive a vehicle onto the 2"X12" It'll pop the bead every time. Then it's man handle time with the spoons.

 

This is probably a pretty bad comparison so don't laugh too hard.

I've put tubes in all the tires on my riding tractor and I can tell you for certain that man handling a tire on and off the rim is a major PITA.

Take it to a shop.

Tim

 

Most independent tire shops charge $10-$12 to mount and balance tires. Wal-Mart charged $10 last time I went there as well.

 

A 15" tire shouldn't be too bad. If you want to do it just for the heck of it. Not worth the effort considering what the pro's charge, but it's not a bad skill to learn. You never know when you might pop a bead off-road and need to reseat it yourself.

Breaking the beads loose is a no-brainer. Getting a small tire on and off the rim is just a pry job, and a little dishwashing detergent helps.

The tough part is seating the bead, with limited air flow. It's just about impossible with the little 12 volt compressors we commonly carry. I have made it work however, by wrapping a strap around the circumference of the tire and tightening it, which forces the sidewalls out into contact with the rim.

I've watched an old timer tire guy use ether and a cig lighter to seat beads. Works great, but not recommended. I'd like to try it myself sometime.

 

I wondered how long it would take for someone to bring up the starting fluid and lighter option

 

it is getting hard to find hot enough starting fluid for big tires. I use it on backhoe tires!

 

I don't use a lighter! I flick matches from a distance and have a fast air chuck handy.

 

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll give it a try.

 

Another tip, use a rubber lube or soapy water. Dont try and mount or dismount a tire dry. Tube type tires and rims were a lot easier because there is no "hump" to retain the bead.

Jim