I want to break the bead on my tire so I can clean the rim and tire. When I was riding I got a flat and suspect that it is on the bead. I let all of the air out of it last night and tried to seperate the tire from the rim. I realy didnt want to use any tools in fear of ruining the tire. What should I do?

 

hog

The best method is to use a bead breaker (available from most atv cataloges). Since I am guessing that you don't want to buy one just for this, there are several methods that you can try:

1. Take it to a tire shop. They should only charge you a few bucks if they are honest. Also, most atv and lawn mower shops will have a smaller bead breaker for these tires.

2. Try laying the tire flat on the ground (completely deflated and valve core removed) and jumping on the tire (careful not to catch the rim). Sometimes you can break the bead that way.

3. If step 2 fails, I have had luck laying a 2x4 across the tire next to the rim driving a car or truck up on the tire. Be sure the car tire stays on the 2x4 and the 2x4 doesn't get on the rim. This will definetly break the bead and shouldn't hurt the tire.

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you for the detailed response. It is nice to get replies like that.

 

my friend was having the same problem so he brought it over to one of my friends step dad and had him lay on the ground and run over the tire with a truck. The bedd just popped right off in about 30seconds or so, the hard part is putting the tires back on the rim.

 

It's not hard to put the bead back on if you use the either trick. Many may not want to try this but coming from a farming background you learn little tricks like this. Yes it is dangerous. Lay rim and tire on the ground, and spray some either around just inside the rim and tire, around the whole thing. Then stand back and light a match and throw it on the tire. Instantly combustion is achieved and the air inside the tire expands and pops the bead on. Really works slick if you do it right. Just thought I would give you an idea. Many have probably heard of this already.

 

Buy a beadbreaker and 3 good quality tire irons. The fronts are really easy to change. The backs take a little more time but can be done in under 5 minutes start to finish.

I tried the method of driving the vehicle over the tire. Make sure you use the 2X4 since I tried without one and it didn't do squat. I changed 4 tires myself which covered the cost of the beadbreaker and tire irons. All the shops around here want $25 to change a tire.

/NotuRaptor