field tire changing technique

[overlander]

I just removed one of my old OEM michelline tube tires and put on the new BFG MT's myself using my Extreme Outback tyrepliers! Took me 40 minutes to get the old tire off (boy was that rubber hard and inflexible) and 20 minutes to get the new BFG on to include airing it up. I'm using Equal tire balancer in them so I'll report on performance later.

Now 4 more tires to go...hope there's a learning curve. Soapy water definitely helps.

 

[FourByLand]

Very nice, I think you will enjoy the ride a little more also.

What size tire did you end up going with also?

 

[overlander]

the oem tires were 7.50x16, and I went with 255/85/16 MT's.

 

[crawler#976]

...it may seem kinda strange, but a can of foaming window cleaner works real well to slick up tire beads. I carry some in the beater to aid in reseating beads. Between that and a 1" wratchet strap, it's pretty easy to get a bead to pop back on.

Mark

 

[overlander]

I'll bet it would. I used a spray bottle of water with dishwashing liquid, which did the trick with flexible new tires, but in my compressor bag I carry onboard, I have a bottle of vegetable oil and a basting brush, which was recommended by the tyreplier website help section.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

I need to learn how to do such a thing, never had to but I'm sure I will @ some point. Thanks for the pointers just trying to get all my recovery gear together...every trip I learn of something else I need ********!!

 

[bovw]

Well done, bet they'll get faster as you go.

 

[overlander]

Here's the "How To" link for tyrepliers that makes it clear and simple.

http://www.tyrepliers.com.au/incontents.htm

 

[Redline]

Good job choosing this size!

the oem tires were 7.50x16, and I went with 255/85/16 MT's.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Here's the "How To" link for tyrepliers that makes it clear and simple.

http://www.tyrepliers.com.au/incontents.htm

Thank you for the link!! appreciate that

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

For a while when I was guiding in Mexico I ran split rims on my FJ40, with 235/85 All Terrains and tubes. This was before stuff from Australia was easily available, so for repairing flats I used, first, a massive bead-breaker sledge, which was hard on the rims when I missed the tire, then a Hi-Lift jack.

Finally I realized that, yeah, I could repair tires in the middle of nowhere by myself, but I was having to repair tires a lot more often with tubes. Plus the wheels were insanely heavy. So I went back to alloy wheels, and 255/85s. I think with modern tools and techniques the utility of tubed tires is fading quickly.

 

[Nullifier]

I think the big problem people have with tire pliers is they do not get after it. I actually used them earlier this week when I installed 4 new tires on my flat bed trailer. I put 2 jack stands in the rear and cranked up the front foot to get the whole thing off the ground. It took about 45 minutes to remove the old tires and install the new ones. I just left the wheels bolted onto the hubs I find leaving the wheels on the rig helps alot unless you can't get teh pliers in there do to wheel well issues.

 

[BigAl]

I learned to break beads as a kid with a 72 Torino station wagon Lay'em flat, drive onto the edge of the tire and they pop right off. Reseat with starter fluid and a match... fond memories

 

[Spikepretorius]

Check out: http://www.beadbreaker.co.za/

 

[ntsqd]

What I did was make a bead breaker foot similar to that on tire shop tools, only smaller. Welded it to a cross bar that has a slot for a short section of chain on one end and the tube for my 24" Snap-On breaker bar to fit into on the other end. That short chain section had a ACVW lug bolt welded to the end of it, but on vehicle other than the glass buggy I use a large washer welded to the chain.

Process works like this:
Capture washer under lug nut or replace a lug bolt.
Place breaker on tire at rim and engage chain in the slot.
Push on far end of breaker bar.
Never had a bead that didn't pop off fairly easily though I have had a couple that made me choke up a bit more on the chain.

Then, belive it or not, motorcycle tire levers have been enough to pry the beads off when necessary. They're far smaller than the typical tire spoons, but they work surprisingly well. At least on BFG's and Dunlops.

Built the same basic tool for a friend, only for his we set it up to use his Hi-Lift's handle since he stores it in his Scout loose from the jack.