Harbor Freight Tire Mounting Tool

[shortxjdoug]

recommending something like this on the internet is very stupid and can get people injured. even if you "know how to do it properly", it's still very dangerous. for somebody that doesn't know how to do it, and simply goes by a one liner that says "starter fluid and a match will seat a tire", it's an ER visit waiting to happen.

well somebody had to do it first.......... the learning curve isn't that bad, and if it gets on you starting fluid doesn't burn that long, or with any persistency for that matter. Nobody would learn anything if they never had to visit the ER

 

[Lawn Cher']

I've got the same one, on Lawn Chair's recommendation. Works pretty darn good, But I had to mount mine to a big piece of plywood to keep it from walking around.

I've had mine since '01 and it has paid for itself many times over. My average pace for replacing a tire on a rim is about 15 minutes. Lube helps, soapy water does just fine. Some tire and wheel combinations are easier than others... I think the toughest were the LT265/70/R17 tires I put on H2 rims for my Suburban.

 

[XJ_ranger]

I've had mine since '01 and it has paid for itself many times over. My average pace for replacing a tire on a rim is about 15 minutes. Lube helps, soapy water does just fine. Some tire and wheel combinations are easier than others... I think the toughest were the LT265/70/R17 tires I put on H2 rims for my Suburban.

the lower the profile on the tire, the harder it is... but the easier it is to rip the bead off...

 

[Tradesman300]

What quantity airsoft pellets per tire do you use?

 

[shortxjdoug]

What quantity airsoft pellets per tire do you use?

its based on weight there is a general chart here

 

[Fairmonco]

You guys use a tire-machine???? All I have to use is a bead breaker and a couple prybars.....I thought I was spoiled!

 

[GSequoia]

You guys use a tire-machine???? All I have to use is a bead breaker and a couple prybars.....I thought I was spoiled!

$50 is well worth the amount of effort I save over using Hi-Lift jacks and tire spoons.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

You guys use a tire-machine???? All I have to use is a bead breaker and a couple prybars.....I thought I was spoiled!

tried that. hated it. this works much better.....if only for the fact that the wheel and tire is clamped down and not moving where while trying to use the bar

 

[Fairmonco]

Just dismounted and mounted 4 new rear tires on my Dually using a bead breaker as the only specialized equipment,only took about an hour.

 

[montanaman]

$50 is well worth the amount of effort I save over using Hi-Lift jacks and tire spoons.

I want to get some tire tools for our trips into the desert ... seems we always pick up a nail or some cholla cactus or something.

This tool looks a little too big to throw in the back (with all the camping gear, etc.).

Where can I get some tire irons? Do normal pry bars work as well? What can you do to break a bead without a special tool?

Thanks!!

 

[Geepfreak]

What can you do to break a bead without a special tool?

Thanks!!

Drive over it..
Actually I have done this once or twice while in Moab.:gee:

 

[GSequoia]

You can also use a Hi-Lift jack. Just put the base on the bead (after removing valve core, of course) and jack the Jeep up, the weight of the Jeep should push the bead off.

But... I just carry a box of safety seals with me. Patches such, plugs rock!

 

[old_man]

It never hurts to carry a tube under the back seat as well. We sewed up a tear with safety wire, then put in a tube to get a rig back off the trail.

 

[shortxjdoug]

just got my hf tire changer and it is awesome! i pulled a set of swampers off and swapped on my firestones and did the airsoft balancing and it worked out great, thanks for the heads up on the hf changer

 

[Skullver]

just got my hf tire changer and it is awesome! i pulled a set of swampers off and swapped on my firestones and did the airsoft balancing and it worked out great, thanks for the heads up on the hf changer

we just got one also, mounted it in the back of my parts yoda, and mounted our first set of tires, not a bad deal for sure.

 

[Ludakris]

i gotta get one of these. .
as for the powder balance, I have equal in my ltb's, I am not a fan of it.. I dont drive it too often, and I have moisture problems, it feels like the equal clumps up and takes a while to break up.. the pellets wouldnt do this. after i get this tire changer, i will be doing the pellets..

 

[Monkey55]

Would someone explain the theory of using airsoft pallets to balance the tires??

I think I'm going to get the tire changer this weekend. I have a few sets of tires I want to swap around.

Elias

 

[scorpio_vette]

do a search on "airsoft".

basicaly the short version is that as the tire picks up speed, the airsoft pellets locate the high/low spots and distribute themselfs to balance the tire.

so bascially your tires don't get balanced until you hit about 15mph, but you can't feel it at that slow a speed anyways.

 

[Monkey55]

Thanks. I found some good info.

I bought the tire changer from Harbor Freight last weekend for $40. It already paid for itself. I removed 4 tires in a short amount of time. My next lesson will be mounting a tire.. :lecture:

Elias

 

[splitz]

I'm trying to use mine, but I keep eating up my rim. Does anyone have any tips on how to use this thing?