the deadly art of tire repair
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:22 pm
I'm sure you all have heard horror stories about split rims/ bud wheels and how dangerous they are to service. flats happen, with a tubeless tire its easy as stuffing in a plug.
were as our buds has to be disassembled the tube patched, aired up and seated without flying apart and cutting you in two. so how can we safely complete a field repair and what tools are required to break down a tire?
below is how i service my wheels and the tools I use. it would be great if all of you can share your wisdom and show off your tools.
i have been breaking down and mounting my own tires for eight years now as many shops will no longer give me a flat rate. too many tires vulcanized to the rim i guess
i have a tire repair kit in my truck at all times. in my fist aid box I have a four way valve tool, soap patches and glue, spare valve caps and an assortment of vales. in the tool box I carry a jack, short bud wrench, two tire levers, chain with hook, hammer, pump and a shepards hook.


once the wheel is off the truck and on the ground ring up I carefully remove the Schrader valve and put it in a safe spot.
next i soap up the bead then hammer the shepards hook between the bead and the ring.
then i wiggle the hook back and forth making sure the end of the hook is as close to the edge of the bead as possible and work my way around the rim until the bead slips past the ring



once the bead is clear of the ring I use the hook to push down on the ring exposing the first notch. I then insert the first leaver in to the notch and push down this lifts the ring exposing the second notch. I insert the second leaver push down and the ring is half off. as there are no more notches in the ring it has to be levered off from the edge. I have never had a ring pop off during disassemble however i still wrap a chain around the wheel, I like having teeth



with the ring and chain removed i flip the wheel and work on the second bead. Once debeaded i push the valve stem in so i can lift the rim out without pulling on the tube( there could be something stuck in the case like a nail that could tear the tube making it unpatchable.) carefully remove the flap and tube then feel around for any defects. remove any foreign debris and patch the inside of the tire. I will use a plug and a patch if the hole is big. then its time to install the valve then hunt and patch the holes in the tube with the aid of a soapy rag and air.
with the tube patched its time to assemble. I pump up the tube to the point that it will just fit back inside the tire this is very important creases are bad. especially if I'm trying to fit an 1100/16 tube in a 900 tire
. with the tube in the tire I feed the stem through the flap and work the flap in making sure there are no folds or creases then install the plate and nut locking the tube to the flap. with the tire on the ground and valve stem facing down I torque the stem up thread it into the rim and drop the rim onto the bead. with the stem orientated in the center of the slot I flip the wheel and install the ring. I do this by placing the split away from the stem and slipping the low edge of the ring on to the grove then with my foot I stomp the ring into place so as to not wreck the paint. since i dont have a tire cage I wrap my chain around the tire and place it ring down, connect my lock on chuck and air up to 10psi. usually with a clean rim and a new soapy tire the bead will be seat or at least on its way with a rumbling deep squeak. I never take a unseated tire past 20psi. here is a pic of a tire at 20 psi that has not seated. in the second pic you can see how the ring is trying to slip out of the grove as the taper of the bead digs in to the edge of the ring. 

.................this is danger and death could be near. ..................
valve out aired down and ring off for more cleaning as any kind of bur or gouge will impede the seating of the bead and could case a failure that can cut you in two.
be safe and share the knowledge or horror story's to convey the dangers.
cheers
Robyn

below is how i service my wheels and the tools I use. it would be great if all of you can share your wisdom and show off your tools.
i have been breaking down and mounting my own tires for eight years now as many shops will no longer give me a flat rate. too many tires vulcanized to the rim i guess

i have a tire repair kit in my truck at all times. in my fist aid box I have a four way valve tool, soap patches and glue, spare valve caps and an assortment of vales. in the tool box I carry a jack, short bud wrench, two tire levers, chain with hook, hammer, pump and a shepards hook.


once the wheel is off the truck and on the ground ring up I carefully remove the Schrader valve and put it in a safe spot.

next i soap up the bead then hammer the shepards hook between the bead and the ring.
then i wiggle the hook back and forth making sure the end of the hook is as close to the edge of the bead as possible and work my way around the rim until the bead slips past the ring



once the bead is clear of the ring I use the hook to push down on the ring exposing the first notch. I then insert the first leaver in to the notch and push down this lifts the ring exposing the second notch. I insert the second leaver push down and the ring is half off. as there are no more notches in the ring it has to be levered off from the edge. I have never had a ring pop off during disassemble however i still wrap a chain around the wheel, I like having teeth




with the ring and chain removed i flip the wheel and work on the second bead. Once debeaded i push the valve stem in so i can lift the rim out without pulling on the tube( there could be something stuck in the case like a nail that could tear the tube making it unpatchable.) carefully remove the flap and tube then feel around for any defects. remove any foreign debris and patch the inside of the tire. I will use a plug and a patch if the hole is big. then its time to install the valve then hunt and patch the holes in the tube with the aid of a soapy rag and air.
with the tube patched its time to assemble. I pump up the tube to the point that it will just fit back inside the tire this is very important creases are bad. especially if I'm trying to fit an 1100/16 tube in a 900 tire



.................this is danger and death could be near. ..................
valve out aired down and ring off for more cleaning as any kind of bur or gouge will impede the seating of the bead and could case a failure that can cut you in two.
be safe and share the knowledge or horror story's to convey the dangers.
cheers
Robyn