I've got a '01 Kodiak with stock Dunlop tires. I had some slow leaks at the bead area because of crap stuck between the wheel and the bead. I took the wheels/tires to a tire shop and had them broken down and cleaned out.

After reinstalling the tires I have one rear that is leaking at the bead, in many areas, on both sides of the wheel. I took it back and he re-did this one wheel. After breaking it down, cleaning and applying some sealer, he inflated it to 30psi (max 35 on side wall)and it seems to hold the pressure. I brought it home installed it and dropped the pressure down to 5psi as recommnended, but now it doesn't hold air again.

What's going on???? Is it possible that he broke the bead when dismounting it the first time? If this is the case, can I run a tube in it or will the tire eventually let go?

Any ideas/advice appreciated.

 

From my experience it's usually dirt or debris on the bead of the tire or on the inside lip of the rim. If your sure it was well cleaned then hard tellin. You might not be adding enough air to seat the bead/tire. I've had to air some ATV tires to up around 45-50 Lbs before they'll seat completely.
Make sure their soaping the bead and inflating it without the valve stem core. Once it up on the air, Slip the core in and tighten it up. Sometimes people don't use enough soap and inflate the tire slow with low pressure and the tire won't seat in completely. Were there any large grooves, gashes or pits on the tire bead or rim? Also, yes you can break it down and put a tube in it. That should for sure solve the problem.

Rude Dog

 

I had this problem on a set of paddles. I took them to a small tire shop and he broke them down and used a grease gun and put grease all around the beads and inflated them. Fixed them.

 

Thanks for your replys. I took the problem tire to another shop. It turns out the bead is ruined. Probably caused by the first guy. The outside bead has a 3 inch chunk of rubber missing, and the inside bead is gouged.

The bead structure itself seems okay, it's just the rubber has been torn off.

Now I can't even buy a tube in the proper size. The on I need is for a 25x8 - 12rim. It seems that there is only one supplier in Canada and they don't make a tube this size, or even close.

Why do these ATV companies come up with so many different sized tires?

 

Hi 2Tall

I to have had trouble with tires and if you try your local John Deer dealership they will probably be able to help as they all sorts of balloon tires to choose from and I am sure they have the solution to your problem. Also you can use a larger tube in a smaller tire just to let now. Keep the sunny side up.