Reseating tyres on GU rims.

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 30, 2003 at 23:38
ThreadID: 4137 Views:3303 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
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Recently I purchased a R & R Beadbreaker for a trip we are planning later this year. The equipment works wonderfully - as easy as the demonstration. My problem occurs after I have refitted the tyre to the rim (rims genuine Nissan - 16x8jj. Tyres 265/70R16). When I originally had the tyres fitted professionally they had quite a problem seating the bead even with professional equipment. I am having the same problem (without the professional equipment). I have tried all of the old tricks including a strap around the circumference of the tyre. The professional tyre fitter told me that he hated fitting tyres to the Nissan rims for this reason. Whilst I would probably use a tube in the tyre in the bush, I was hoping that someone might have dealt with this problem before and have a few tips to make reseating the tubeless tyre a little easier. (I have plenty of air at home with my own compressor and a Bluetounge mounted in the Nissan when away.) Your thoughs/ideas are welcomed!
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Reply By: Will - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 10:17

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 10:17
Hi Spy,
Make sure the inside (inner) part of the tyre and rim have no lubricant on them and try to seat the bead on that side by twisting the tyre onto the rim. You wont get it on completly it is just to make a seal. Also make sure the rim and tyre bead are clean.
Put some lubricant on the inside of the rim and tyre bead, (soapy water works well) lay the tyre flat on some cardboard or tarp, then get a helper to attach the air nozzle to the valve stem, without the valve core in to get more air flow, then gently lift the tyre onto the rim. Some times a few bodies help. You can tell where the air is escaping past and lift or move the tyre at that point. Once you have that side done and if the bead doesnt pop onto the tyre on the inner part of rim with out excess pressure you can re-break the seal on the inner part and using some lubricant use the same method to re-seat the inner bead. Stick the valve core back in and inflate to the correct pressure.
Remember to remove the valve core then trying to seat the bead to get more air flow and not to use excessive lubricant, you just need to get a little bit of slip and it needs to be able to dry off, thats why soapy water is best.
I hope this helps or parts of it are usefull, I have fitted tyre in workshops and in the bush and have found that this works for me. Will.
AnswerID: 16480

Reply By: Cam - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 11:56

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 11:56
Spy,

I also found that using a ratchet strapp around the circumference of the tyre aslo helped bulge the side onto the rim when seating the tyre. Remeber to release it when the tyre bead is pushing against the rim before it pops on.
AnswerID: 16491

Reply By: Bob Y. - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 13:28

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 13:28
Spy,

You're not Robinson Crusoe, 8" tojo rims, with 265/75R16's are a pain in the bum too. Reckon Will has produced a spot-on reply for you. I also remove valve core and couple the hose direct to valve stem, to "dump" the air into the case. I never have enough hands, so have picked up another clue, that would be more use in bush, where you don't have luxury of big air volume.

Get a 16" push bike tube, fit over the outside bead, inflate it and it will seal between the tyre bead and outer rim of wheel. If the inner bead has been locked on, as Will described then you should be able to get the outer bead to seal. Just be careful you don't squash the bike tube in the tyre or you'll have to start again.

Just a thought, if you pumped another spare up to 60-70 psi before hand, and had a made up hose with ball valve, you could "dump" most of that air straight into the tyre you are repairing.

I'd give the soapy water a miss and get some bead lube, it's as slippery as a butcher's........ and won't promote any rust inside the rim. Top compressor, those Blue tongue, eh!!! Hooroo...
AnswerID: 16497

Follow Up By: Phil G - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:10

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 20:10
Bob,

I've seen the same probs with 8 inch rims and 265 tyres - the rims are too wide. Same tyre on 7 inch prado rims is no problem.

Like you suggest, I use a three way connector and have my spare pumped up to 80 psi (max pressure). Gives a good whoosh, especially if the valve cores are removed from both the spare and the tyre being inflated. Don't know why people fit air tanks when there's a ready made one on every car!

Lux flakes are popular as a tyre lubricant. Always worthwhile smearing it on when removing the tyre, as the tyre levers off easier and prevents distortion of the bead.

A carry the 16 inch bike tube as well but as yet haven't had to use it in anger.

Simplest solution is not to repair the tyre. but use tyre plugs and pay someone else to repair the tyre, when you reach a garage. Lot less sweat.
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FollowupID: 10177

Follow Up By: BruceL - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 15:02

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 15:02
Phil or Bob,

Is the 'three way connector' available as an off-the-shelf product or something you have made up. Sounds good, so I'd like more info. on how to get one please. [Standard Prado 265/70/16]
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FollowupID: 10242

Reply By: Kev. - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 21:35

Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 21:35
If you where realy stuck couldnt you wrap your winch wire around the tyre to seat it instead of the straps ? (i have not done this)
AnswerID: 16533

Follow Up By: Phil G - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 18:21

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 18:21
Kev,

the problem I find with the strap method is that the newer tyres are softer and buckle when you tighten the strap, so you lose the seal. i used to find this method good on 10R15 tyres, but played with it on club days and have trouble making it work.
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FollowupID: 10254

Reply By: Robert - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 12:47

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 12:47
Haven't tried it with large 4x4 tyres, but a trick that quite often works with car tyres when they won't seal, is to bounce the wheel on the spot that is not sealing whilst inflating. As to what lubricant, I always use Vaseline. Soapy water only promotes rust.
AnswerID: 16596

Follow Up By: Phil G - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 18:25

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 18:25
Don't like the sound of Vaseline! I'd expect it to cause rubber to deteriorate. Also, your tyres ,may turn on the wheels so you'll lose wheel balance, and they may falll off the rims at low pressures in soft sand.
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FollowupID: 10255

Follow Up By: Robert - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003 at 11:22

Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003 at 11:22
Can't say I have ever had any problems caused by using vaseline to remove/fit tyres ( And that would be over a 24 year period). I always use a rag to wipe of the excess, as I would with any lubricant used. I could be wrong but I haven't heard of any reason why vaseline would harm rubber, certainly better to use than soapy water. The best thing is that it stays where you put it without running everwhere like liquids do.
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FollowupID: 10312

Reply By: Spy - Saturday, Apr 19, 2003 at 20:29

Saturday, Apr 19, 2003 at 20:29
Thanks for all your help guys. The 16" bike tube works perfectly. Takes a bit of practice to get it right, but now can easily reseat the bead with the bluetounge on my vehicle. Love those R & R beadbreakers! They are easy to use and also assist when refitting the tyre! Worth every cent!
AnswerID: 17937

Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Apr 19, 2003 at 20:56

Saturday, Apr 19, 2003 at 20:56
Glad we were all able to help, Spy.

Have gone up a notch recently, when changed first tubeless grader tyre, 1400x24. Similar problems to above, with difficulty sealing. The seal on them is a large "O" ring that fits on outer part of rim. Wasn't too bad, but very heavy to lift around. Hooroo...
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FollowupID: 11253

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