Breaking bead

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Emeraude
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Breaking bead

Post by Emeraude » Sat May 09, 2020 11:45 am

I had a flat my21 touring. In trying to break the bead I tried using c clamps hammer also made a lever fulcum against the shop wall all to no avail. I finally took it to a tire shop and they used their hydraulic bead breaker. My question is, is there a method one can use at home to break the bead?


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Sat May 09, 2020 12:07 pm

It's usually not that hard to do. Things that can make it difficult are, tires that have been mounted for a very long time and have rusted to the rims, or rims that have been driven on with no tires. In the latter case, the rim edges get rolled under, thereby collapsing the "C" cross section of the rim to make the tire bead a tight squeeze within the rim edge.

To break the bead, I usually lay the rim on the ground, put a wood block under the rim, then either hit the tire sidewall with a rubber mallet, or stomp on the tire with my foot to roll the bead out of the rim. Once started, tire irons can be used to get the rest free, if needed.

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perry kete
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by perry kete » Sat May 09, 2020 12:30 pm

I broke the bead on a tire that had been mounted forever and the rubber was hard by chucking it my bench top vise. I placed the tire in the vise until the rim was at the edge of the jaws, then tightened the vise and pinched the old tire together, and once it was secure I rocked the rim back and forth until you could see the tire release from the rim at the vise jaws, rotate the tire a short distance and do it again. One trip around the whole tire in the vise and the tire was free from the rim.
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring

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RajoRacer
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by RajoRacer » Sat May 09, 2020 1:33 pm

Any spray lubricant will help immensely once it seeps into the bead area.


Altair
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Altair » Sat May 09, 2020 2:21 pm

I have put them on the ground and run over it with my car keeping the tire close to the rim, it may take two or three tries.


John kuehn
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by John kuehn » Sat May 09, 2020 3:06 pm

WD40 works pretty good when helping break a tough bead.


JEC
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by JEC » Sat May 09, 2020 5:48 pm

I recently did my 15's 30 x 3 1/2 tires and used c clamps to break the bead and a Saw's All to cut them off.


jiminbartow
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by jiminbartow » Sat May 09, 2020 8:34 pm

A large Jorgensen double screw type wood clamp will easily break the bead seal. Just put the clamp on each side of the tire with the clamp ends close to the bead and tighten. This will squeeze the tire and pop the bead on both sides. Do this several times around the tire to release the bead all around. Jim Patrick

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critterpainter
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by critterpainter » Sat May 09, 2020 11:40 pm

I had a flat on a 50YO clincher tire. I drove the car the last mile home at a slow pace. The tire was warm and pliable by the time I got home with no rim damage. It was as easy to remove as a new tire.
14 Touring


Don D
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Don D » Sun May 10, 2020 8:15 am

George,

I have purchased and use a Harbor Freight Tire Bead Breaker, Item # 92961 that is $54.99. It works well and hangs on my shop wall when not in use.
Tire Bead Breaker.jpg
IMG_1122.JPG
Sorry for the rotated image of hanging bead breaker. It is soooo difficult to get it to hand sideways. :-)

Also there are sets of tire Irons, (short 10" $40.00 and long 16" $50.00), sold by Bud Jonas of Belding, MI 6one6seven94zero433 that are excellent, in my opinion, so you don't ruin a tire in the process of removal or installation.
IMG_1114.JPG
I also recommend the valve stem puller to ease tire installation.


Best of luck,
Dom
Last edited by Don D on Sun May 10, 2020 11:09 am, edited 1 time in total.


Original Smith
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Original Smith » Sun May 10, 2020 9:18 am

I use heavy duty leather work shoes, and put my heals against the rim and start stomping. Once one portion breaks loose, the rest comes off easily.

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RichardG
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by RichardG » Sun May 10, 2020 11:47 am

IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITH A CAR LIFT A 2X4 PLACED JUST RIGHT UNDER THE LIFT CLOSE TO THE PART WHERE THE ARMS ATTACH AND STEPPING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WHEEL, THIS WORKS EVERY TIME FOR ME, [USE YOUR HEAD HERE, THE 2X4 NEEDS TO BE A STOUT ONE.


Dallas Landers
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Dallas Landers » Sun May 10, 2020 12:04 pm

I have used a bumper jack under the hitch on my pickup. Most here know what a bumper jack is but you have to explain it to younger folks.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by RajoRacer » Sun May 10, 2020 12:53 pm

My knees won't take the abuse of the concrete floor anymore so I purchased this trick tire mounting machine & it has a bead breaker attached - even does wire wheels !!!
Attachments
tire machine 1.JPG


Scott_Conger
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Scott_Conger » Sun May 10, 2020 4:25 pm

Man, Steve, you have ALL the toys!
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

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Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

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RajoRacer
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by RajoRacer » Sun May 10, 2020 4:52 pm

Finally figured out to "work smarter - not harder" ! Been getting up & down off the concrete way too long !


Dan Hatch
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by Dan Hatch » Sun May 10, 2020 9:23 pm

What make is that tire mounting machine? Thanks Dan

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RajoRacer
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Re: Breaking bead

Post by RajoRacer » Sun May 10, 2020 10:20 pm

"No-Mar" motorcycle machine w/additional attachments.


Topic author
Emeraude
Posts: 85
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:00 am
First Name: George
Last Name: Loranger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 touring
Location: Grafton ND
MTFCA Number: 32239

Re: Breaking bead

Post by Emeraude » Mon May 11, 2020 9:39 pm

I tried perry Kate suggestion on using a shop vise on another tire for breaking the bead and it worked great. Thanks perry

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