Sunday, Mar 27, 2016 at 22:16
If you find that you have a simple
puncture such as a nail or stake (should you be so lucky), in many cases you can plug it from the outside without breaking the bead or removing the tyre from the rim.
When it comes to reseating the tyre on the rim, I've found ratchet straps or the like are pretty useless with steel belted radials, and using a specially made hose to get the first inrush of air to seal the bead is the best option. A hose fitting which can be locked to the receiving valve, or if lucky, having someone to hold it in place while you remove the valve from a fully or preferably over-inflated (say 60psi) tyre, and jamb the hose onto the valve stem will do the trick most times.
If you have help, a larger
bore hose which will seal when held on the stem with the assistance of an extra pair of hands coupled with a liberal dose of lubricant to the bead and rim will also assist with the initial seal. Even some water will also help in the absence of any lubricant, as slowing the escape of air in the initial stage can be all that is needed. The larger the hose the better will be the initial pressure transfer.
12v compressors are virtually useless for the re-seating stage, but can be used to increase the pressure in your slave tyre.
Of good use is a small tarp, tabletop, or the like to keep everything away from the dirt.
After all that, the single most important suggestion I can offer is to practice it at
home when it doesn't involve any urgency. The roadside is not the place to practice, particularly as you don't get to choose the time, place, nor weather conditions, but when the need arises you have a fair idea of what to do.
Bob
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