First Time Tire Change

[shew01]

Today is my first attempt to change a 1931 tire. I am trying to move a useable tire from a cracked wheel to a recently powder coated wheel without messing up the new finish.

So far, I’m stuck at step 1, removing the old tire, which is the spare tire. I didn’t think about it when I started, but I don’t have a tire tool. I do have a very wide, large screwdriver that I have wrapped with tape in hopes of avoiding wheel scratches.

I removed the valve stem; so, the tube is now flat. I broke the tire away from the front and rear sides of the rim. I’ve watched some YouTube videos about Model A tire removal, and they make it look fairly easy. Surprise. ;-) My tire is not easy. The tire is stiff and does not want to give me enough room to get the lip of the sidewall over the edge of the rim. I’m trying to be careful not to pinch the tube in the process.

I’ve never changed a tire before. Should I stop until I can order a tire tool? Does the tire tool below make enough difference to make it worthwhile to wait for shipping? Or, is there an alternative that I am somehow missing.

https://www.brattons.com/spoon-end-29-31-tire-iron.html


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[shew01]

Hmmm... This shows some promise.


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[shew01]

Wow. That was “fun.” Not.


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[Juggler]

Stop and buy the tool(s). Buy two, if not three, from any Harbour Freight or similar outlet

The tyre tool is about 10x as wide as a screwdriver. Spreads the load and won't break.

You need to get the edges of the tyre down into the central well of the wheel. That gives you enough slack to get the tyre off.

Next to impossible to get it off otherwise.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Juggler

Stop and buy the tool(s). Buy two, if not three, from any Harbour Freight or similar outlet

The tyre tool is about 10x as wide as a screwdriver. Spreads the load and won't break.

You need to get the edges of the tyre down into the central well of the wheel. That gives you enough slack to get the tyre off.

Next to impossible to get it off otherwise.

I didn’t think about Harbor Freight. I had a couple of nylon trim removal tools that helped be get the tire off, but there was a lot of grunting. The two wood clamps helped me get the tire manipulated into the center of the rim, which opened up a gap large enough to get the sidewall over the lip of the rim.

I think I’ll take a drive to Harbor Freight to see what they have. Thanks for the tip.


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[Ruth]

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I usually mount/dismount my tires from the inside of the rim. That way if I slip the scratch in the paint will not show (as much). Lube it up. And remove the cap!

[Dean Lemoine]

A screwdriver sounds like a really nice way to reach the tube resulting in a not so nice cut. Yep, like Juggler said, “get the tire tools”. I bought 2 from Harbor Freight, I wish I had gotten 3.

[Patrick L.]

Liquid soap
Spoons
Garbage bag
Wheel/ tube liner

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Dean Lemoine

A screwdriver sounds like a really nice way to reach the tube resulting in a not so nice cut. Yep, like Juggler said, “get the tire tools”. I bought 2 from Harbor Freight, I wish I had gotten 3.

I was careful with the taped up screwdriver. I knew there was a risk, but I don’t think I injured the tube at all.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Liquid soap
Spoons
Garbage bag
Wheel/ tube liner

I was planning on using garbage bags for reinstalling. Do they work for removal too?

You mentioned spools. Real eating spoons? Or, is there a tire tool called a spoon?


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[1930artdeco]

He is referring to Tire Spoons the tool not eating spoons.


Mike

[Big hammer]

Think again about reusing the old tire ! It will fight you again going back on, and if you need to replace it later in life. I had to use a hack saw to remove a dry rotten tire, I didn't harm the wheel ! I replaced motor cycle tires once, never again, I'll take them to a bike shop money well spent !

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Think again about reusing the old tire ! It will fight you again going back on, and if you need to replace it later in life. I had to use a hack saw to remove a dry rotten tire, I didn't harm the wheel ! I replaced motor cycle tires once, never again, I'll take them to a bike shop money well spent !

Thanks for the thought. This one is not dry rotted, and it’s a spare. The entire set is in pretty good shape.

Out of curiosity, roughly how many miles should a fresh set of Model A tires last? These were on the car when I bought it, and I’ve put almost 4000 miles on them in a year.


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[shew01]

I bought some tire irons from Harbor Freight. This is the only model they had. These should help with the next tire removal, whenever that comes.

I’m going to try plastic bags to get the tires back on. I don’t know if I’ll need the irons for installation or not. We’ll see.

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[shew01]

The plastic bags definitely helped with reinstallation. I used the vinyl trim tools to get the bead across the rim lip.


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[shew01]

Next issue. How do I make sure the tube is not kinked inside the tire and the rim? I can’t see much of the tube through the cracks between the rim and the tire.


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[CabrioletDon]

Hi, Shew01...I'm no expert, but having just successfully gone through both a removal and reinstallation of tube and tire, here's what worked for me: Once I had the tire and tube on, I pulled out the plastic bag, and got everything squared up. I reinstalled the valve in the stem, and put in a little bit of air--just enough to make sure there were no kinks or folds by feeling with my fingertips. At this point, the tube could be gently moved around to make sure that the valve stem was well aligned with the hole in the wheel. Once I was sure everything was good, I put in a little more air, rechecked, and finally put in the correct amount. I checked 24 hours later to make sure there were no leaks or problems, and surprise, there were not! Hope this helps!

[1931 flamingo]

Use the bag(s) AND lubrication. You also may try putting some air in the tube before putting the tire onto the rim. JMO
Paul in CT

[shew01]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Use the bag(s) AND lubrication. You also may try putting some air in the tube before putting the tire onto the rim. JMO
Paul in CT

In retrospect, that would have been a better plan. I used just the bags and the (modern car) vinyl interior trim tools. Lubrication would have made that easier. This has definitely been a learning experience.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by CabrioletDon

Hi, Shew01...I'm no expert, but having just successfully gone through both a removal and reinstallation of tube and tire, here's what worked for me: Once I had the tire and tube on, I pulled out the plastic bag, and got everything squared up. I reinstalled the valve in the stem, and put in a little bit of air--just enough to make sure there were no kinks or folds by feeling with my fingertips. At this point, the tube could be gently moved around to make sure that the valve stem was well aligned with the hole in the wheel. Once I was sure everything was good, I put in a little more air, rechecked, and finally put in the correct amount. I checked 24 hours later to make sure there were no leaks or problems, and surprise, there were not! Hope this helps!

That seemed to work. I let the air out a couple of times to check on the tube. If it got kinked (I do t think it did), it won’t be because I didn’t try to avoid it. I need to check the pressure again tomorrow.

I definitely got my exercise in for the day.
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[160B]

The best way to change a tire is to build a platform using 2X4 and plywood. Cut out the center so you can lay the wheel hubcap side down and remove the tire from the back side. Cover the platform with a carpet. I used indoor out door carpet. Break the bead on the front and the back of the tire. Place a plastic garbage bag over the rim and tuck the bag into the tire. Use a small tire iron and I use a piece of hard plastic to protect the paint on the rim and then work the tire off the rim. Remove the inner tube and repeat the process to remove the tire from the rim.
To install the tire place the plastic bag over the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand but if you need to use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim. Remove the plastic bag, install the inner tube. Place the plastic bag over the rim and work the plastic bag between the tire and the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand, or your foot. If you need to you can use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim.

P1010535.jpg

P1010536.jpg

[Vic in E-TN]

If you have an old tube, cut it into a few pieces approximately 4 in by 6 in and use them to keep from harming the rim paint. There is a potion called "Rubber Lube". The tire shops have it and it can be purchased but usually in gallon size. Take a small jar to a tire shop and ask for a little.


Vic

[Jeff/Illinois]

I tried using the tire spoons that the Model A Vendors sell, on a 16" Ford rim, that was old and dry rotted, and had a heck of a time.

I gave up and took it to a local farm tire shop. They popped it off and popped on my new tire in a very very short time, made it look effortless.

That's how I plan on doing them from now on. And they charged very little to do it.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by 160B

The best way to change a tire is to build a platform using 2X4 and plywood. Cut out the center so you can lay the wheel hubcap side down and remove the tire from the back side. Cover the platform with a carpet. I used indoor out door carpet. Break the bead on the front and the back of the tire. Place a plastic garbage bag over the rim and tuck the bag into the tire. Use a small tire iron and I use a piece of hard plastic to protect the paint on the rim and then work the tire off the rim. Remove the inner tube and repeat the process to remove the tire from the rim.
To install the tire place the plastic bag over the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand but if you need to use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim. Remove the plastic bag, install the inner tube. Place the plastic bag over the rim and work the plastic bag between the tire and the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand, or your foot. If you need to you can use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim.

Attachment 441449

Attachment 441450

How big is the hole that you cut into the plywood?


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[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Originally Posted by 160B

The best way to change a tire is to build a platform using 2X4 and plywood. Cut out the center so you can lay the wheel hubcap side down and remove the tire from the back side. Cover the platform with a carpet. I used indoor out door carpet. Break the bead on the front and the back of the tire. Place a plastic garbage bag over the rim and tuck the bag into the tire. Use a small tire iron and I use a piece of hard plastic to protect the paint on the rim and then work the tire off the rim. Remove the inner tube and repeat the process to remove the tire from the rim.
To install the tire place the plastic bag over the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand but if you need to use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim. Remove the plastic bag, install the inner tube. Place the plastic bag over the rim and work the plastic bag between the tire and the rim and work the tire onto the rim, this can be done by hand, or your foot. If you need to you can use the tire iron and the piece of hard plastic to work the tire on the rim.

Attachment 441449

Attachment 441450

I’m with Don! Any boo boos are on the back side. Also if not already mentioned, pick up a threader that’s screws into your inner tube stem, where the sharader valve goes. Then you just pull the tube stem right thru the rim hole!

[Cpuckett]

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I just changed all 5 of mine. Let them set in the sun and heat up. Put one side on first while Using WD 40, had wheel laying on carpet, hubcap side down. First side popped right on, put tube in then a little air then put WD 40 on the the other side. Pushed down with knees and then walked around it and it popped right on. Took about a hour and a half for all 5

[160B]

[QUOTE=shew01;1928797]How big is the hole that you cut into the plywood? /QUOTE]

See attached photo

[shew01]

[QUOTE=160B;1928875]

Originally Posted by shew01

How big is the hole that you cut into the plywood? /QUOTE]

See attached photo

Thanks. I need to build one of these. I read an article about this method a while back, but I have been able to find it.


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[shew01]

I think I found the article.


http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...e-Mounting.pdf


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[marty in Ohio]

It's not a fun job but very rewarding when finished. I made some tools to pry with out of hardwood. Make sure you take off any rough edges. For lubricant I use Murphy's Oil Soap. Real slippery and washes right off.
Marty

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Cpuckett

Let them set in the sun and heat up.

That’s a good idea. I was working in the shade. I didn’t think about the sun making the tire easier to work with.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

It's not a fun job but very rewarding when finished. I made some tools to pry with out of hardwood. Make sure you take off any rough edges. For lubricant I use Murphy's Oil Soap. Real slippery and washes right off.
Marty

I agree. It was rewarding when finished. Murphy’s Oil Soap sounds like a good idea.


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[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by shew01

I agree. It was rewarding when finished. Murphy’s Oil Soap sounds like a good idea.


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I never saw anyone experience that much trouble changing a tire!

[shew01]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

I never saw anyone experience that much trouble changing a tire!

Hmm.... I’m guessing you have changed quite a number of Model A tires over the years. As the thread title says, this was my first one. ;-) I’m guessing the next one will go a bit easier for me. There’s a first time for everything. I had absolutely no idea of what to expect.


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[katy]

Back in the '50s I was taught to use old spring leaves for tire irons, I still have a couple that I keep for use.

[30ccpickup]

The next time is always easier. May I suggest to follow Ford's instruction manual, rumor has it he knows a bit about these cars. The design of the tire and rim allows it to be easily changed along side the road without unbolting it from the car. The key is the tire iron and in unison pinching the tire and pushing it down into the rim. With practice it is just as easy as changing a bicycle tire. You get a feel for it. Here is a link to my tire change page http://modelabasics.com/fixFlat.htm it includes a video and follows the instruction manual but with pictures and today's terminology.

[TerryO]

I have also changed tires without removing wheels...Maybe I was just lucky but they weren't that bad. Now if I could just find time to mount my new Coker radials.


TOB

[ronn]

as to what 160b says about building a platform of 2 x 4s

just grab an old pallet and cut out accordingly........

[mgambuzza]

Thanks for the trash bag hint as the past couple days were my first time in replacing tubes and tires. The tires on the 1930 Tudor I purchased last fall had lots of cracks and checking so I waited until the spring to invest and try this challenge. I purchased Lucas blackwalls (as I liked the lettering, tread pattern - unfortunately the Mrs was sad to see the whitewalls go). Two items I learned from this:


1. I wish there was a "trash bag" method of removing the old tires. The first three came off like butter - each one easier than the previous. A couple were trending towards the "petrified" state. As difficult as it was removing a couple of the old tires, it was satisfying to see how easy the new fell on with the trash bag method.


2. The next time I order tubes I will take the time to inquire where they're made. I avoided a couple places who were known to sell imported tubes, and the one I purchased five tubes from were mentioned in previous, although possibly older post, still had the good tubes. None of the new ones I received had stamps like the ones I removed that said Made in the USA, but I moved forward with the installations. It wasn't of course until the fifth that there was a sticker that said Made in China on the bag. I'll hold my breath in the meantime, and make sure I check with some other vendors so I can purchase some more local sourced tubes, as the history posted on several sites and forum didn't have a very favorable opinion on the Made in China. Maybe I'll be lucky, and hopefully the quality controls have improved - only time will tell.

[JBill]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

He is referring to Tire Spoons the tool not eating spoons.


Mike

Go to Amazon and put in "Tire changing spoon" and you'll see a whole selection.

[katy]

If'n the old tubes are in reasonable shape, save them as spares, partially inflated.
Thay may be better than the new ones.

[al's28/33]

Always put a rag between the tool and the rim and just go slowly applying pressure to the tire-iron to get the bead out then the rest you can do by hand. Let the whole thing sit in the sun for a few minutes to warm it up to make it more pliable.

[Osage Orange]

I had always used talcum powder for lubricant, especially on the innertubes. It helps them avoid bunching and pinching when inflating. Also, when partially inflating the innertubes to check for pinching, grab the tires and rotate them 1/8 turn in each direction when partially inflated. That usually sorts out any pinching or bunching.

[kawagumby]

Changing a model A tire for the first time was a snap...as I change motorcycle tires regularly. As above, I always use talcum powder to resist pinching, and also inflate-deflate the tube in the tire several times which also helps. I use just bit of windex on the tire edges when they are stubborn but try to keep it from getting into the rim. Two things are essential...inflating the tube slightly before installing it, and getting good tire irons. I use MotionPro irons as they have no squared edges and have a good wide spoon section.
Tom