Re: GOING TO SEE A 400! HELP!

Posted by BH On 2009/12/9 9:46:17

Keith -

You use the complete bumper jack - assembled - and aided by the the weight of the car - usually via the rear bumper - to break the bead.

That method may not work, however, if the tire bead has become bonded to the seat - usually because someone previouly applied bead sealant. (I never use that crap.)

My dad taught me a good trick to use in that case. Take a section of 2x8, lay it on the tire, with the edge of the long side side close to, but not on, the rim - forming a ramp. Then, slowly drive the front tire of the Packard up the ramp - aided by someone keeping an eye on the things from outside the car. Exercise the same caution as you would with any ramp. You will have to reposition the tire and repeat the process several times to get the bead loose all the way around the rim, and repeat for other side.

Of course, you'll still need spoons to get the loose tire off of the wheel.

Again, these bead breaking techniques will likely not work with later "safety" type rims.