Using a tyre changer?

[Dorset_Clive]

Long story short, just bought a Clarke strong arm bead breaker - the type with a pneumatic ram that breaks the bead and also clamps the wheel when removing/replacing the tyre.

I've been given a Sealey tyre bar (the one with the three little wheels on the end). I managed to get a tyre off, but just can't get the new tyre on. I've got one side on, but no amount of struggling will get the second side of the tyre on the rim.

I know I'm a beginner and I know I'm trying to put on reinforced rally knobblies, but there must be some tricks to make it easier. Any ideas?!!

[brightblue]

Is it reverse style rim maybe ?
What type of car and make of rim and tyre size ?

[igor]

Have you tried a pair of old fashioned tyre levers and a big rubber hammer? Worked for me when fitting farm service lug tyres to my EN Civic.

[Iain]

I've just picked up something similar second hand and struggled. I'm only removing and refitting a trailer steelie with steel bar for practice.

Are you using tyre lubricant/paste?

Make sure the side that's just gone on falls below the raised area (I think you can buy little chocks or push down clamps to help)

I've removed and refitted my tyre about 10 times now and it does get easier with every change.

[welshpug]

trailer tyres are probably the worst ones to start on, they are much tougher than car tyres.

[speedy88]

Make sure the opposite edge of the bead to what you're trying to put on is sitting in the inner-grooves of the wheel. It's hard to explain but basically you can't get a tyre on with the inner edge sitting on the bead, it needs to be on the inner-bead which is normally the "lowest" point of the wheel.

[sausage]

What he said. I use 2 levers and do it on the floor standing on the wheel / tyre. keeping the tyre in the recessed area off the bead while getting the rest over the lip is the trickiest part, soap and a bit at a time is the way with levers, not tried a roller bar.

[colnerov]

Hi, And make sure you're removing and fitting from the right side ie. the narrow side.

Colin

[gazz81]

I bought an automatic one, much easier!

[BT]

I struggled like anything until I got a decent tyre soap.

Now if I've got a tyre with a decent sized sidewall I can pop it on fairly promptly. I also think a bit of practice you find a method that works for you.

[Dorset_Clive]

Cracked it! Mate came over with a big crow bar that we used to really push the tyre down in to the 'indent' bit of the wheel. Made a huge difference.

I think it was difficult to do it on my own because of the reinforced sidewalls.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will get some tyre soap too.

[Iain]

Nov 29, 2016 9:42:33 GMT welshpug said:

trailer tyres are probably the worst ones to start on, they are much tougher than car tyres.

This gives me some hope then! I'll try a car steelie later to see the difference.

[Iain]

Nov 30, 2016 8:45:02 GMT Iain said:

Nov 29, 2016 9:42:33 GMT welshpug said:

trailer tyres are probably the worst ones to start on, they are much tougher than car tyres.

This gives me some hope then! I'll try a car steelie later to see the difference.

The difference may be weaker wheels, it is now unusuable thanks to a massively bent rim! Haha.

[colnerov]

Hi, Keep trying, keep practising. There's lots of little different techniques and knacks, just keep going until you find one that works for you. Some use a hammer some don't, I don't, some use the tool you have on a pedestal. Personally I use two flat bars and do it on the floor. I've fitted truck tyres just by walking round on top of the tyre, no bar involved. Sometimes soft side wall tyres resist especially trying to break the bead, I have a slide hammer type and the lever type, the lever is quieter for the neighbours. Good luck.

Colin