Changing Rear Tires

Nabco

Nabco

Senior Member
So right before my father-in-law gave me my car 3 years ago he had put two brand new Firestone tires on the front, the tires on the back were not great when I got the car. I've put a couple thousand miles on the car since getting it and now the rears are really bad and need to be replaced.

I'm planning on getting two Firestone tires to match the front but not sure how to go about replacing them. I've checked YouTube and found three different videos, all of which replaced the tires while the wheel was on the car....is that the recommended way of doing it.

I've never attempted anything like this before and will probably get someone in the club to help me....just checking to get some advice here.

Thanks

Nick
 
Nabco said:
Thanks for the feedback, that's one of the videos I found
Click to expand...

I figured.

Like I said the key is to get the front and back beads down in that smallest grove in the center of the wheel. Once you get the top down into that groove, the bottom of the tire will clear the bottom half of the wheel. I usually can fit my hand in and just pull hard and the tire will pull off.
 
Nabco said:
So right before my father-in-law gave me my car 3 years ago he had put two brand new Firestone tires on the front, the tires on the back were not great when I got the car. I've put a couple thousand miles on the car since getting it and now the rears are really bad and need to be replaced.

I'm planning on getting two Firestone tires to match the front but not sure how to go about replacing them. I've checked YouTube and found three different videos, all of which replaced the tires while the wheel was on the car....is that the recommended way of doing it.

I've never attempted anything like this before and will probably get someone in the club to help me....just checking to get some advice here.

Thanks

Nick
Click to expand...

I also learned from that video...

Did it with each wheel in turn mounted on the left rear hub..because of garage space it was the most accessible. And I didn't want it to swivel on the front hub..did all five that way...

I used a c-clamp to break loose a stubborn bead...

Use some lube...I used soapy water.....

You can put the new tube in the new tire and inflate to maybe 5 lbs to get the folds and wrinkles out, then slip the assembly over the wheel.

You can also try slipping the tube in after the new tire is partially mounted but I didn't try that method.

You will have it figured out by the time you are done!
 
It makes things easier to "start and finish at the valve". Push the tyre into the well of the wheel opposite the valve as described above and in the video clips. That allows the bead to go as far down as is possible. Start removing the old tyre at the valve. Reverse the process to fit the new one, finishing at the valve.
 
Just a point, don't use grease to lube the rim, it will destroy the rubber, no matter how well you clean it after, soap n water 3/4 soap to 1/4 water makes good rim slip


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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 outdoor 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 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 and inflate the tire.

I use chalk to mark the valve stem and tire weights so I do mot have to rebalance the tire when I am done fixing a flat.

See attached photos. The photos shows the platform and the tire with the tube installed and using the tire iron to install the tire on the rim.
 

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Last edited:
Hmmmm

It looks very much like changing a bicycle tire, only a little bigger version. I think even I could handle that.

-BG
 
WD-40 will help the bead to slip into place correctly.
Soap and water causes rust or corrosion on aluminum, and that's why I quit using it in the 80's.
 
One tip not mentioned, after the tire and tube are on the rim fully inflate it and make sure the bead seats evenly all the way around. THEN deflate it completely and then inflate it once more.
This inflate, deflate, inflate sequence ensures that the tube doesn't have any wrinkles in it.
 
I just mounted a new spare on my 21" rim yesterday. It was a nice, sunny day so I left the tire in the sun till it was hot and flexible. Mixed 80% water to 20% Joy liquid detergent in a spray bottle. Made up 2 oak "tire irons" 1" wide and 12" long with tip shaped like a steel one with a power sander. Wood will not mar the paint on the wheel.
Added a little air to the tube and stuffed it into the tire. Poked the valve stem thru the hole in the wheel and with the soap solution, one knee and both hands got the rear bead over the rim. Tire was warm and soft and it went very easily. With the two wood tire irons and some more soap spray I easily worked the front bead over the wheel rim. Hard part came at the very end, the last 12" Used a wood hammer along with some serious talk to the tire and all was done. I really think a warm tire is very important.
 
1931 flamingo said:
If you've got a rear spare it might be easier to do it there, it's higher. FWIW
Paul in CT
Click to expand...

I like that idea :-) ! I wrestled mine on the concrete floor with a folded up moving blanket, a real pain for in back. Would like too add removing the valve core helps, also don't forget the rim strap!
 
katy said:
One tip not mentioned, after the tire and tube are on the rim fully inflate it and make sure the bead seats evenly all the way around. THEN deflate it completely and then inflate it once more.
This inflate, deflate, inflate sequence ensures that the tube doesn't have any wrinkles in it.
Click to expand...

I sprinkle talcum powder on the tube before fitting it to allow it to straighten itself inside the tyre. Naturally, using the right sized tube helps!:)
 
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