D.Y.O. tire repair

Do Your Own tire repair.

Instead of hijacking Thad's post, I figured I would start a new one.
Many of us do our own tire repair. I started doing my own a few years ago. Was doing it the old fashioned way with a couple bars levering them on and off. Finally bought a set of truck tire bars. Made things much better, but still a lot of work. Then by a fluke of luck I acquired a Harbor Freight mini tire changer that someone threw away. By chance at the time I was working on some peddle carts for my grandsons that had 4", 6" and 10" rims. If anyone has ever tried to dismount or mount one of those size tires, you know what a pain they can be. That thing works slicker than snot on a doorknob. I could put in a new tube in under 5 minutes.
I had been debating about the manual tire changer from Harbor Freight for some time. This was enough to convince me to pull the trigger. One of the best $50 I've spent. Instead of pouring concrete to mount it permanently, I lag bolt it to the floor of a trailer when I need to use it. Makes for a nice open work space, and makes a portable tire shop. Can go right out to the field, instead of having to load the tire up, haul it home, repair it, load it again, and haul it back to the field.
I know some of the reviews and YouTube videos about the manual tire changers are bad. But after watching many of the videos, the people complaining don't have a clue what they are doing. Most of them don't properly lube the tire beads. They fail to lube the inner side of the second bead. And instead of messing with soapy water or something like WD-40, invest in a jug of tire lube. About $10 for a gallon. I put it in an empty 80-90 bottle. Makes it easy to drizzle around the bead, and smear it around for a good coverage.
As for balancing, I use ceramic balancing beads. No need for weights or a balancing machine or bubble balancer. At first I was leary about them actually working. But one time had a new set of steer tires mounted on a semi and they didn't put beads in. It was like pushing a log chain. Went back next week and they put beads in, and could let go of the wheel and went straight down the road. I now use them in all my vehicles, truck, pickup even wife's Yukon with pressure sensors. I get them at local truck parts store,(Wheelco). Just tell them tire size. They have a chart that tells what size pouch is needed. Just throw the pouch in when you mount the tire.

Edited by JW in MO - 04 Jul 2023 at 8:11pm

It don't do much for sealing beads but Murphy's Oil Soap sure do slickify em.

Yes, many soap based products act as a lubricant. However as they dry they become tacky, or sticky like an adhesive. This makes breaking them down by hand more of a challenge. 

I use veggie oil on tires for lube.Tubeless semi truck tires break down easily when mounted with it. The right dismount tool makes all the difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX7DvJo7A8E

Used to use them all the time. Not so much anymore after a couple took to leaking. Good for a fast fix but I usually patch ‘‘em now

DiyDave wrote: I mounted the HF changer to an old wooden pallet, that you stand on when working on tires, that way your weight holds it down,

plummerscarin wrote: Weight doesn't matter. Your standing on the platform that the changer is secured to. No different than if standing on the ground with it secured to a post. And its portable. I remember a tech tip article in an ag magazine about a ground post. Sink a large corner post in the ground and cut to desired working height to attach vise,anvil, pipe bender or even a tire changer to it

Interesting to read that I'm not the only one doing my own tires. I have the Harbor Freight tire changer mounted to a pallet, but rarely use it anymore. I think the last time I used it was for breaking beads. I run the balance beads, buy ecobalance from Amazon, and they have a chart online for how much to use. I have OTC spoons both 30" and 36", the shorter ones have one blunt end so you can persuade them a little to get between the tire and wheel. I have a bottle of tire lube that I use for mounting, and I use silicone spray lube for dismounting. I have a bead blaster but usually use bicycle tubes if I have problems seating a bead, spray them wwith silicone and stuff them in the gap. If you don't get them out in time just let the air out after the bead is seated and they'll pull right out. Recently switched from plugs to a plug/patch combination, seals the inside good and seals the cords from water intrusion. Just did some 14-17.5 harobed fronts last weekend, I think they were the hardest tires that I have done so far.

SteveM C/IL wrote: I use veggie oil on tires for lube.

I bought a Harbor Freight manual tire changer and secured it to concrete shop floor with red head anchors.( That way I know it's not going anywhere!) I don't change or repair highway tires. Just wagon,implement or front tractor. Some beads are welded to the rim and I get creative.My 25 ton log splitter will usually break the bead by using 2 wooden blocks. When baling hay on weekends and the tire shops are closed,it has saved my hay crop several times!