Setting a tire Bead on Rim

[drivadesl]

I've got your typical small Craftsman utility garden trailer that I lost the air in one of the tires. Left is sit for a couple months on the rim, and now am looking to fill the tire with air. The tire is slightly distorted, otherwise very usable. Whats the trick to setting the bead onto the rim? I've got a 20 gallon, 95 psi compressor. Willing to try the lighter fluid technique if it can be done safely. Appreciate any suggetions.

 

[Scooby074]

Try taking a ratchet strap ant putting it around the circumference of the tire then tighten the strap down. This will force the bead outwards.

Ive used this trick to set beads on ATV tires that were giving me problems.

Also remove the tire valve from the stem if you can.

 

[whistlepig]

Try taking a ratchet strap ant putting it around the circumference of the tire then tighten the strap down. This will force the bead outwards.

Ive used this trick to set beads on ATV tires that were giving me problems.

Also remove the tire valve from the stem if you can.

This is the best way and works every time for me. Make sure to get the gunk away from where the bead seals or it will leak.

 

[SpringHollow]

using a ratchet strap around the circumference sometimes helps. Or a rope and a pipe to twist the rope with to tighten it down.

Ken

 

[twarr1]

I agree with the suggestions to use a strap or rope around the tire.
I've used the lighter fluid method years ago, but think better now. You just don't have a lot of control. I discourage it.
On really hard to seat tires I've used grease around the bead to help get it to seal up, but I don't know if this is detrimental to the rubber over time.

 

[sawdust_maker]

I agree with the suggestions to use a strap or rope around the tire.
I've used the lighter fluid method years ago, but think better now. You just don't have a lot of control. I discourage it.
On really hard to seat tires I've used grease around the bead to help get it to seal up, but I don't know if this is detrimental to the rubber over time.

The twisted rope or ratchet strap ideas are good. I've used bungee cords to do this myself. Use one of the cords that you can adjust to a desired length. Stretch around the circumference. The tire will now usually take air.

I'd not recommend the use of grease, as that might degrade the rubber on the bead, causing problems down the line. Even soap might be problematic here as it will be hydrophilic, possibly helping the rim to rust out over time.

John

 

[jinman]

Not seeing the tire, it's hard for me to really make a judgement, but most of those little utility trailers I see have a tube inside the tire. Are you sure the tube isn't leaking and that's the reason the tire won't inflate? Maybe your trailer has bigger tires that are tubeless, but I'd swear I looked at one in TSC this last week and it had a tube inside it.

 

[drivadesl]

Thanks for the replies. The ratched worked out OK. Kind of crimped the tire up, but with assistance from my son, with me working on the remaining spaces on the bead, and he filling with air, we got it to seat. Definitly no tube in there. In the past I tried buying a tube for my wheelbarrow, it turned out easier to buy the whole tire/rim together. Thanks again.