2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

DIY tire mounting on 87 T2 alloy wheels

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-29-10, 06:31 PM
  #1  
primitive screwhead

Thread Starter
 
RustX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DIY tire mounting on 87 T2 alloy wheels

Any reason I should not attempt something similar to this on my 87 T2's "alloy" wheels?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-UzsVMEo9M

My rims look like crap but as far as I know they're still good and round etc. I have already broken the bead on one of my front tires by taking another car and driving up on a board I placed on the edge of it. That worked pretty well, but in attempting to pry the now-free-floating tire off the rim, I am definitely noticing some roughing up of the rim where I am prying. Is this just cosmetic or do I have to worry about causing some functional damage? I don't care at all about cosmetics.
Old 09-29-10, 07:05 PM
  #2  
Are you experienced?

iTrader: (18)
 
jjcobm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Makes me cringe at the stresses put on the lip of the wheel. I couldn't watch this, it was worse than a horror movie.
Old 09-29-10, 07:07 PM
  #3  
Rotor Junkie

iTrader: (5)
 
Hazard15301's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Washington, PA
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
lol at 2:34.

Sure you can do what these guys did. Just grab two more guys and six prybars, good to go.

In reality you can do it, but you're still gonna have to take it to a tire place and get it balanced anyway. Why not save yourself the headache?
Old 09-29-10, 07:12 PM
  #4  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
it's not as difficult, the larger the sidewall is. for example, 35 series tires like that are going to be VERY difficult to mount even with a machine. i have mounted 33" tires(onto a 15X12" wheel) without a machine, they basically fall onto the rim.
Old 09-29-10, 07:40 PM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (14)
 
thejallenator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: the dalles
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FTP! god do i love having a tire machine in the shop i wouldnt try doing this by hand. even when using a machine it gets scary. ever have the pry bar fly off at you?
Old 09-29-10, 09:07 PM
  #6  
Right near Malloy

iTrader: (28)
 
Pele's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Posts: 7,840
Received 505 Likes on 342 Posts
No...

What you're seeing in the video is stupidity...

A.) Someone bought a wheel and tire combination that cost in the neighborhood of $3000... EACH.
http://www.google.com/products?q=Gio...x10&hl=en&aq=f
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=13VR0SCOR0AXL

B.) They're installing said combination on an 8 lug vehicle... That's either a 2500/3500 series Dodge or Chevrolet truck or a Ford Super Duty.

C.) They brought said combination to a shop that was not capable of mounting these tires with a machine. (Thereby risking damage to the wheels.)


It'll be easier to mount a higher profile tire manually, but you'll still need extra people and it'll still take much longer than it would if done on a machine.

It costs less than $15 per tire to mount and balance at a shop. $60 for a set of four. That's not expensive.
Old 09-29-10, 09:54 PM
  #7  
primitive screwhead

Thread Starter
 
RustX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, well, I surely wouldn't do this with $3000 tires, but I guess what I'm getting at is that people DO accomplish this this way, and that I intend to try to do so myself unless there is significant risk to the functionality of the wheel afterwards. I thought I recalled there being some kind of special thing you had to worry about with our wheels that are more complex than just the steel part and a hubcap... maybe that had to do with them fitting on the harbor freight machine or something though...

I know it may not really be worth the effort, but I kind of just enjoy being able to do things myself if I have to. Never did this before and I want to try it and save a few bucks at the same time if I can.

Jallenator - yeah I'll wear my eye protection, good tip thanks!.
Old 09-30-10, 06:59 AM
  #8  
RX-7 Old Timer

 
ColinShark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Make sure you have enough tire irons and helping hands, or it's gonna be a bitch.
Old 09-30-10, 10:35 AM
  #9  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
there's nothing special about the TII alloy wheels, the only thing to worry about when mounting any tire is to try not to scrape the hell out of the clear coat finish on the outside of the wheel.
Old 09-30-10, 11:25 AM
  #10  
rotorhead

iTrader: (3)
 
arghx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: cold
Posts: 16,182
Received 429 Likes on 263 Posts
broke ***
Old 09-30-10, 11:51 AM
  #11  
The waiting game......

iTrader: (18)
 
2slow4stock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: North Aurora
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
^^ +2
Old 09-30-10, 08:39 PM
  #12  
Full Member

iTrader: (1)
 
black89fc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: mn
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dude wal mart will mount all your tires for like 20 bucks and bal
Old 09-30-10, 08:45 PM
  #13  
Learning

iTrader: (18)
 
Phearthe-Rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a friend who has manually mounted tires on his old tiburon by himself....possible, but Walmart mounts tires for $5 I think (here in OK anyhow) it's another $5 I think for each wheel balanced, so $40 for all 4

I wouldn't take nice rims to Walmart but you said yours are a lil beat up anyhow
Old 09-30-10, 10:03 PM
  #14  
MECP Certified Installer

 
jjwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mesquite, TX-DFW
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You can do it one man with a pry bar and spoon (not the eating utensil). I did it all the time when I worked at a tire shop at 15 with tractor trailer tires. Problem is, you have no way of balancing them. They need to be balanced so you don't have feathering and strange wear.

By the way, seating the beads on a split rim tractor trailer tire is ******* scary. Off topic but figure I'd share.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06 AM.