Any Tricks for Mounting New Tires?

[DToy]

I just received my new tires from Cedar Rapids Tire today. They are extremely squashed from shipping, to the point that I can't get them into shape enough to get air into them to seat the beads. I tried myself and then took them to a tire store and they are having the same problem. Any ideas or tricks on how to get them into shape so that i can actually get air into them?

[countrycummins99]

put tire on rim seat bead on one side spray either around bead while pumping in air light either and presto tire is on bead

At about one minute in it shows how it works

[twinke00]

2x4's or ratchet strap

I saw someone on here that had a real good idea for getting tires back into shape. they put one side of the tire on the rim and cut 2x4's to length and stuffed them in between the other bead of the tire and the rim. I think he said he let them set indoors for a day or two and that got them back into shape. there is a picture that i saw on here somewhere of his tires. maybe he will see this post and put up the picture of it. if they are really smashed i don't thing that the either will get them on it just burns. Before I saw the 2x4 idea I always used a ratchet strap around the center of the tire to push the outsides out. the only thing with that idea is that when they start to pump up you have to be fast to release the strap or it gets stuck on the tire and you have to let the air out and start over. I SAY 2X4'S

[twinke00]

i found the pictures on here. Tire Abuse - Amphibious ATV Pictures there are 2 of them. If the beads don't want to pop on for you I use a little axle grease around the bead lip on the rim. Thats how i get my quad tires on should work for the 6x6 too. I never had one pop off the rim and I have done some crazy stuff with my quad

[thebuggyman1]

put tire on rim seat bead on one side spray either around bead while pumping in air light either and presto tire is on bead

At about one minute in it shows how it works

The voice of experience says "if the either doesn't lite the first time, don't spray more in" It scares the hell out of the neighbors when it blows the tire right off the rim.

[Roger S]

I think that was JerseyBigfoot who stretched his tires with wood.. they were off the rims though.

[cclingma]

I'm not really so proud of it but I have experience with the either trick. I fought with some quad tires all day once. I was wore slick when I finally went for the either. Probably 10 minutes later I had the tires mounted on the wheels and the wheels back on the machine.

My little bonus trick is to spray a little trail of either across the ground to the tire so that you can stand around the corner of the shop, light the trail, watch the fire dissapear around the corner and then......BOOMB. You're done.

[twinke00]

I think that was JerseyBigfoot who stretched his tires with wood.. they were off the rims though.

if you look at the pictures on this link right here >>>click me >>>>>>> Tire Abuse (easy new tire installation) - Amphibious ATV Pictures <<<<click me<<<<<<<<<< they even tell you how to do it

[Joker]

If your going to use the "starting fluid" technique, don't forget to remove the valve core first. Then just get the core in before the pressure runs out. Wait to set your air pressure until the tire cools down.

I use bead sealer from the local auto parts store, remove the valve core, then run the air compressor through an air nozzle that threads onto the valve stem while pushing sideways on the tire and/or rim until it seals and gets pressure.

I only use starting fluid as a last resort since it scares the bejeebez out of me every time.

J

[Duke]

I have heard of doing it with ether but thats the first time I have seen it done looks really scary to do

[DToy]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I tried the 2x4's, but I didn't have a few days to wait since I wanted to take my Max II to my cabin this weekend. Four of my old tires had tubes in them, so I ended up putting the tubes in the tires off the wheels with empty oxygen tanks in the center and aired them up to get the tires into shape. Let them sit overnight and even then I still had to put the tubes in the tires, mount them, air up the tubes to seat the beads, and then break the top bead, pull the tube out, and fight that bead back on. Took me hours but I finally got them done. What a nightmare...although I got really good at using my new Harbor Freight tire changer. Bummer of it all is that I got 2/3 of the way to my cabin and both front bearings started squeaking real bad, so I had to turn around and limp back to the truck.

It was then that I realized...crap, I just bought a BOAT (bust out another thousand). Guess it's time to learn how to replace all of the bearings.

[mike bar]

Have you tried a ratchet strap around the middle of the tire and squeeze which will force the beads to touch rim enough to get air in to seat bead. i've tried the eather way but the strap way is easier on the nerves.It may take some hand pressure as well.

[DToy]

Have you tried a ratchet strap around the middle of the tire and squeeze which will force the beads to touch rim enough to get air in to seat bead. i've tried the eather way but the strap way is easier on the nerves.It may take some hand pressure as well.

Yep, tried the ratchet straps multiple times too. It has worked in the past, but these tires were smashed so flat and deformed that the ratchet strap just further distorted the tires. Tried the ether a few times too, but with no luck.