Removing & replacing 16x6.5 tire - what's the secret?

Baby Grand · Jul 22, 2013

Removed the old front tire on our B5100. It's a very small turf tire - 16x6.5 size.
It was bleeding green from the bead. So off to TSC for a set of tire spoons.
Much cursing, grunting & sweating and the old one was off the rim.
Now I know why the tire guys say "don't use slime". What a mess.
Spent an hour & a half with a knife & wire brush getting all the gunge cleaned off the inside of the rim.
Applied phosphating rust conversion treatment to the rusty rim interior surfaces.
Managed to damage the bead taking the old tire off, so back to TSC for a new tire.
Again cursing, grunting & sweating and the new tire was on the rim. But not seated on the bead.
Took out the valve core & tried to seat it - still no love.
With the air attached & on, I threw the tire down on the asphalt, and it seated!. Thank you Jesus!
But back to getting the tire on the rim - I know there must be an easier way than what I was doing.
Can any TBNers with experiences in mounting small tires give some advice so the next time goes a little smoother?

oldballs · Jul 22, 2013

I've done it with three tire irons before but must be losing my stuff. Because the last time I had four to do on a utility trailer, I gave up and had them mounted by a tire shop. It cost ten dollars per rim but was worth it this time. And the rims were not all dinged up. I just hated to part with forty bucks for something that I used to do myself. Better luck to you. Mike

Gary Fowler · Jul 22, 2013

I have found that with increasing age, my sweat equity is getting to be less and less. Most tire shops around here wont charge more than 3-5 bucks to remove an old tire and replace it with a new tire + the cost of new valve stems which is almost a necessity when putting on new tires. It is worth that much or more to not have to fight with tire irons and other issues.

Baby Grand · Jul 22, 2013

You guys are confirming just what I was thinking while doing the job - that this is one of those jobs that can be sent out without giving it a second thought.

Zebrafive · Jul 22, 2013

No secrets I know of.
If a tube, with the bead broken and lubed on the valve stem side, pressure on the bead opposite the valve stem so bead will drop into area of the wheel for clearance. I use two tire irons. Start at the valve stem. Use both tire irons to get the bead up and over the rim. Then use one tire iron to keep the bead over the rim. The other to work the bead off in small bites.
When reinstalling, install on the wheel so the valve stem will be on same side as last bead to be installed.
Install the tube with core removed. Inflate a couple of times to remove wrinkles.
Lube bead. Start installing last bead opposite valve stem. Finish at the valve stem. Inflate without core a couple of times to seat bead, remove wrinkles in the tube.
If tubeless, a ratchet strap around the circumference helps seat the bead.

Baby Grand · Jul 22, 2013

What's the prefered lube? I used dish detergent, which didn't seem to work so well. The label on the tire had all kinds warnings about what not to use - which was basically everything I wanted to use.

I actually tried the rachet strap, but wound up wishing I had spent a little more for one with a better quality rachet mechanism as it started to bind on itself before I could really compress the tire much. In frustration I threw the whole mess on the driveway with the valve core out & air still on and that's how it finally seated.

Zebrafive · Jul 22, 2013

I use waterless hand cleaner mainly because it's handy. I am not sure if it's on the "not to use" list or not.

sox3 · Jul 22, 2013

Check out Harbor Freight. They sell a tire changer that bolts to floor. Has a built in bead breaker, tire is locked down on unit and a long bar to remove and install. it runs about 50 bucks on sale. I have used one to change all sizes of tires. Tire lube I use is Ruglyde. Mixes with water.