How to Break the Bead on a Tyre (or Tire) - Two Easy Methods...
Most tires fitted these days are tubeless. An airtight seal is created between the tyre and the wheel, the tire has to sit on the ‘bead’ around the rim of the tyre. To remove the tyre, or get access to the wheel rim, the tire has to be pushed off the bead. The term often used is ‘Breaking the Bead’.
Note:
Be careful with tires… A tyre is a pressurized container. Any damage, or incorrect repair can cause a sudden loss of air which could be dangerous at speed (a blowout). Therefore please take care (any work you may carry out is at your own risk).
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There are two easy methods enabling you to break the bead of a tyre at home:
First Method - Using a Trolley Jack:
Tools required:
- A Ratchet Strap.
- Two bits of wood (possibly three).
- A Trolley Jack.
Steps required:
- First, let the air out of the tyre by pressing on the valve with a screwdriver, or something similar.
- Place the tire on the jack.
- Use the two bits of wood to make a jaw for the jack to compress against. The other piece of wood is used as a pivot.
- Wrap the ratchet strap around the wooden jaw and the trolley jack.
- A third piece of wood can be used to support the tyre.
- Make sure the jack misses the wheel rim…
- For Safety. Keep your fingers away from the tire & rim when the jack is under pressure..!
- As you operate the jack, the tire will compress against the wooden jaw and the tyre should pop off the rim.
Note:
I was unsuccessful with this method, but I can see how this would work. The main issue I had was that the ‘Pivot’ would slip. Other trolley jacks appear to have space where the pivot can be placed, that is fixed. Whereas I had to place the pivot on the jacking arm (that would tilt). Lots of other people have had success with this method, so give it a try…
Here are some additional thoughts:
- The pivot is maybe too high!
- This method may be more suitable for bigger tyres?
- The tyre was very tight on the rim.
- The shape of the jack and where you place the pivot (to prevent it from slipping), and the height of the pivot is the key to success…
Second Method - Using Two Bits of Wood to Break a Tyre Bead:
Tools required:
- Two bits of wood.
Steps required:
- First, let the air out of the tyre by pressing on the valve with a screwdriver, or something similar.
- Try & find somewhere to lever against? This could be a bench with someone sat on it, another vehicle, etc, etc.
- Place the short piece of wood on the tire to act as a pivot.
- The longer piece of wood is used as a lever to press down on the pivot, to release the tyre from the wheel rim.
- Just turn the wheel round to break more of the bead and repeat the process.
…I was surprised how easy this method was!
Summary:
The first method (using a trolley jack) was a bit fiddly and took more time to set up in comparison to the second method (two pieces of wood).
The second method was much quicker and easier.
The second method appeared to be a much safer process, as the tyre was only under pressure whilst I was pressing down on the lever. Whereas when using the trolley jack, the ratchet strap and tyre were under tension when the trolley jack was pumped up.
Hope this helps...