Does anyone out there have any experience with portable tire changers for mounting tires on your rims? They appear to sell for around $59 or $69, and would certainly be worthwhile if they actually work, but cannot find any information of people that have actually used the equipment. Any throughts?

1979 RX7 number 15080, 72K miles, being rehabbed after sitting in a garage for 5 years.

 

I have seen them, never tried one. It will need to bolted to a concrete floor and eat you Wheaties. Air power makes a big difference. I have thought about getting one, don't have the extra space for the little use it would see.

 

You dont need anything to put tires on the wheels and just a bead breaker to take them off.

 

IanS just bought one a couple of weeks ago, but I don't know if he's used it yet.

Rich

 

Are you nuts? I tried to be cheap and mount a tire in my trailer because the RV place I got the tires from wanted $30 to mount and balance.

I used a jack and the rear end of my truck to break the bead of the old tire. I cut most of the tire off with a knife and cut the bead with bolt cutters.

I used two crowbars to attempt to get the tire on properly. Ended up nicking up the lip of the wheel and messing up the bead of the new tire a little bit. And then I tried to inflate it and it wouldn't seat. I ended up bringing it to another tire shop and having them inflate it with the tire machine that has nozzles that blast air at the bead from underneath.

Total time was an hour and a half to get one tire removed and installed again. And it's not even balanced. I am NEVER doing that again. I could do three sets of four tires in that time with a proper machine.

I'm looking for tire mounting machines and balancers from tire shops that've gone outta business. Everyone wants an arm and a leg for em.

 

Some tires can be real hard and some can be very easy. I did all 4 on my Del Sol using just a two screw drivers and a dead blow.

I would not suggest doing a "good" wheel by hand, Stockers that are already scratched are fine but something I just payed $250 each for will go to the shop.

I would say we do an average of 20 a year by hand.

 

Like 64mgb said, I bought one recently. Definitely want it bolted to the floor, or you will need a couple people standing on it so it doesnt move around. I have already dismounted 8 and mounted 4, so it has damn near paid for itself already (also got the balancer). Just like any tool, once you figure out the best way to use it it goes pretty good. Soap and water gets them on easier.