Tire Repairs - In the Field

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Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 18:18:25 -0000
From: runars@isbank.is
Subject: 4x4 show
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

Bead locks just make the rims heavier, and unballanced.  With propper
rims, like the Arctic Trucks have (original Toyota), you'll really have
to struggle to get the beads off the rims, even at only 2 psi.  The
aftermarked rims are not nearly as good tho, and many aluminum rims are
just useless, and 16.5" rims are also pain in the ass.  I bet they had
far more problems getting that tire off the rim in the first place, than
to rebead it in front of the camera....;-))

The ethanol trick is something you don't do usually, or at least we
don't.  To bead a tire is just the trick of beading one bead at the
time.  Start by forcing one bead (the inside one is best) on to its
seat.  Ways to do that is either by hammering the bead up to the small
ridge in the rim with a hemmer and a metal stick, or by using a small
tube.  Then connect powerful airsupplies to both the stemfree valves,
and push the other bead towards its end of the rim, by pressing on the
tread (sideways), while pumping air hard into the tire.   The best pumps
and the only ones that do work, are converted AC compressors, or CO2
pressure cylinders.

In our SAR team, we have a pair of Cruisers, one identical to the Arctic
ones, and one on 38" tires.  We go as far down as 1 - 0.5 psi in the 44"
tires, when the going is realy soft.  In the 38" radials we go down to
2.5" - 2 psi, at max.  Just dropping down from 4 psi to 2 psi can make
the diffrence of being unmobilesed, or just drive.

I've once driven across our largest glacier at speed of up to 120 kph.
At that time I had 6 psi in the tires....!

Cheers, Runar.
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Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 21:46:59 -0700
From: Chris Geiger 
Subject: Tire removal

I have been wondering and working on a way to remove tires from the rims
for repair on the trail. I have successful use a hilift jack to break the 
bead, but was unable to remove the tire from the rim. This is necessary 
to do an internal patch (yes I use plugs but inside patches work better,
especially on the side wall (yes I know you should not patch the side 
wall)).   Mike Medart suggested using a 4' pry bar and soapy water and 
a little taping with a hammer. Has anyone tried this? 

does any one know of hand tools that would make this easy?

RockRunner http://geiger.mcl.ucsb.edu/offroad.html


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Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

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Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 01:17:30 -0500
From: Robert Stein 
Subject: Re: Tire removal

   If you can find a set of "Spoons" used for doing semi truck tires or
implement tires, it really helps. ANYWAY you look at it or go about it
is still a pain by hand. We did LOTS of tires this way in my younger
days to save a buck at the tire shop :) 
  BTW , any heavy truck parts store ought to have tire spoons. 
Just a thought :) 
- -- 
Robert Stein        rjstein@lawtonok.net       `85 SR5 X-Tra Cab
TLCA MEMBER# 7321   rrbbs@juno.com              STOCK 22R-E Motor 
Lawton,Okla     rjstein@wolverine.cameron.edu   12+" Lift<2"body>
http://www.lawtonok.net/rjstein/toyota.html    33x14.50x15 Mickey's


============================================================================
Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

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Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 10:16:14 -0600 (MDT)
From: Scott Ellinger 
Subject: Re: Tire removal

In a pinch, I've used 1x1 angle iron and a chunk of a 2x4, both about 
three or four feet long.  Not that it's a good way to do it, but it 
does work.

I just broke down both beads, then pried the tire off the rim, one bead 
at a time, just like you would with a bicycle tire (but it's a lot more 
work with a truck tire) working slowly around the bead.

Getting it back on the rim is equally challenging, but can be done with 
the same tools.

Oh, and I've only ever done this with semi-mangled steel wheels; this 
technique could destroy aluminum rims.

- --scott

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Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 09:02:06 EST
From: "james stevenson" 
Subject: Tire removal

>I have been wondering and working on a way to remove tires from
> the rims for repair on the trail. does any one know of hand tools that
> would make this easy?

I use a set of tools called "Tyre Pliers" however there are a number of 
different brands on the market in OZ. The thing works just like the bead 
breaker in the tyre shop except you push the lever around the rim 
manually. The setup weight take up lees space than a stock jack. On my 
last desert trip we blew between 2 and 9 tyres each day over 11 days and 
the unit proved itself. It takes me about 15min to rip of a rim, patch 
the tyre and have it back on. The best units are the R&R Beadbreaker, 
Tyre Jaws and Tyre Pliers.  Contact details on the 3 companies

R&R bead breaker
21 Pitman Rd , Windsor Gardens SA, Australia 5087
Phone +61 (88) 369-0060
Price $199-369 Aus depending on model

Tyre Jaws
427 North St, Albury NSW Australia, 2640
Phone +61 (60) 21-4892
Price $150 Aus 

Tyre Pliers
1/12 McDougall Rd, Sunbury VIC, Australia 3429
Phone +61 (39) 744-7829
Price $139-269 Aus Depending on model

James Stevenson (TonkaTuf)


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