Mounting tire on rim at home
 

Anyone have any tips or tricks to mounting a tire to a loose rim? I recently put new tires on my truck but kept one old tire to use as a spare. The spare I have now is a bald donut not worthy of being called a tire. I finally found a 15x8 wagon wheel for my spare. Well two places I took the rim and tire to said they can not mount because tire is 22 years old:lol:. FYI this tire does not look like a 22 year old tire, plenty of tread and and not dry rotted. I knew the old tires were old but not that old, would still make a good emergency spare. Anyway I tried soapy water and pry bar but did not make a lot head way mounting tire on rim.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

I do it frequently, but I do have the right tire irons to do it with. I've got two Ken-tool irons and a sledgehammer, and I've learned the tricks to doing so. Inflating the tire requires either a bead-blaster, or a can of starting fluid and a clip-on tire chuck.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

I have never tried this but lots video's.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

A rural tire shop may do it. Lots of farm equipment is moving on decades old tires.

Or try tire shop #3 and tell them you need it for a roll around tire for a project truck.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

Make sure the tire is warm, makes it alot easier. I did some new tires for my truck and was was quite pleased with myself , and then I noticed they were directional, argh. Had to change one tire.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

I do it like this . But I have to say it takes me a lot less time . I also use a flooring mallet.
https://youtu.be/wP1su9riLkc


Mallet is this one more beef behind it than just a rubber one

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

if the tire won't seat Take a ratchet strap around the middle of the tire. Tighten it up to pouch out both beads to the rim

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

One of the best investments I have made is a manual tire changer from HF (see link). I have had to make a couple repairs or improvements to it, but where I live, I would spend a fortune on changing or repair to tires, not to mention the issue you are seeing with a shop refusing to mount. I run old tires all the time on farm trailers and tractors. I also purchased a bubble balancer from HF and with a few exceptions, I can usually avoid the tire shops by buying tires online, and doing my own mount and balancing, and have found the high dollar spin balance job is not really any better than bubble balancer (for most common tires/rims.

https://www.harborfreight.com/manual...ger-69686.html

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

I have that Harbor Freight tire changer. I only use it to break beads as it's easier for me to mount and dismount the tires with screwdrivers. I also had to strengthen it.

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

This is what I have. I do a lot of drag slicks and drag radial swaps at home.

I have mine mounted on a wooden plank. When I need to use it I drag it out and place ballast (ie, diesel pickup) on the plank and work it. When I'm done I stick it back in the corner.

K

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

Maybe I will wait till it warms up and give it another try. I tried changing when it was 10 degrees out. I couldnt even get the bead over it. It looks like knees are the key in keeping tire in place. Thanks for all the help I feel confident in getting this done at home. While we are at it any tricks on changing out valve stem or should I even worry about that?

Re: Mounting tire on rim at home
 

I use tire irons from Harbor freight. Takes a few minutes to get used to but you can do it. Maybe 5 bucks each and you can use them forever. I also use the ratchet strap in the middle of the tire. If it is close you can use an air gun or similar to shoot air from the side. Also take the valve core out for more air flow. A clip on air chuck helps so you can wiggle the tire back and forth and shoot air from the side etc. I haven't paid to mount a tire since 2000 when I was on the road and di not have my tools.