beadlock rings, how to install???

[knucklehead 61]

i am thinking about building a set of beadlock wheels & was looking at ruffstuff's kit, but am clueless as to how they install.
can someone add a link, pics, or a writeup on how they get welded on? :wave:
thanks!

 

[X1994J]

Take your wheel, grind paint off the lip where you will be welding to.

Weld ring to wheel... try and weld in 2 to 3 inch segments to prevent over heating the wheel and warping...

Put tire on wheel, bolt outer ring to inner ring with the bead sandwiched in between.. and wala...

Done.

 

[knucklehead 61]

thanks for the info, that really helps.
i thought you had to cut the outer bead off the rim.
when the tire mounts i guess it just kinds of finds its center since it is not resting on any sort of bead or flange, right?
do they hold air or will they leak down quickly?
will they balance out for street use or are the steel rings a trail rig only deal?

 

[X1994J]

thanks for the info, that really helps.
i thought you had to cut the outer bead off the rim.
when the tire mounts i guess it just kinds of finds its center since it is not resting on any sort of bead or flange, right?
do they hold air or will they leak down quickly?
will they balance out for street use or are the steel rings a trail rig only deal?

Yes, center it best you can, i've never had a problem.

Mine have never leaked. But I had a pro welder do both sets of mine.

I've run mine up to 80 MPH on the freeway without issues, I put 8 oz. of bb's in each one for balancing.

In utah beads are illegal, i've never had issues, but check your local laws to keep from being harassed.

 

[shortxjdoug]

jb weld.... lots of it

 

[Begster]

In utah beads are illegal, i've never had issues, but check your local laws to keep from being harassed.

Do you have a link to the law specifically stating that bead locks are illegal? I know there has been a bunch of talk about bead locks being illegal here and there, but no one has ever been able to point to a specific law that makes it illegal to have beadlocks. There was a thread about this issue sometime ago.

 

[X1994J]

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE UTAH INSPECTION MANUAL...
WHEELS
1. Check wheels for damage and proper mounting.
a. REJECT when:
1) Wheel bolts, nuts, studs or lugs are loose, missing or not properly fastened.
2) Wheels are bent, cracked, re-welded or have elongated bolt holes.
3) Spacers are used to increase the wheel track width.
4) Bead lock wheels are installed.

Page 24...

http://publicsafety.utah.gov/safetyinspections/docs/X2009-2010 SI PLT ManuaL.pdf

 

[bics90xj]

I used a couple washers around the edge it center the ring in the wheel and a bunch of vise grips to hold the ring. Also relocated the valve stem to the inside of the wheel just poking through a spoke hole!

 

[jeeperjohn]

Do you have a link to the law specifically stating that bead locks are illegal? I know there has been a bunch of talk about bead locks being illegal here and there, but no one has ever been able to point to a specific law that makes it illegal to have beadlocks. There was a thread about this issue sometime ago.

In CA I believe the law basically says you cannot have a wheel that is not DOT approved on your vehicle. Same with tires and basically any other functional part of a vehicle. Big brother is watching :eyes: