Changing Tires

I'm getting new tires (NDCC 700-15) for my '61 cj5. From what I've been told, this is a fairly simple swap that can be done at home without tire machines and the like. Perhaps time consuming and physically demanding, but otherwise simple - yes, that's what I was told...anything with "time consuming and physically demanding" in one sentence is probably not too simple. Questions:
(1) Is this as simple as I've been told?
(2) I probably need some special tools for this - I'm assuming it's not like changing a bicycle tire with a screwdriver. What is necessary?
(3) Any good tips, sources, links? I've seen what the 3b page has, and I'm looking for a bit more detail. A lot of what I'm finding on the internet is for motorcycle tires - same premise?
Thanks in advance.

-Does anyone have strong feelings against the NDCC tires? I'm going for the more original look, so that's why I like them...anyone have them and hate them? Hate tubed tires in general?
Thanks again.

 

non-directional cross country - I guess we can throw a T in there, non-directional tread cross country.

 

I have broke tires down with screwdrivers and prybars, but it is a little work. They also make spoons for removing the tire from the rim. They work much better than screwdrives and prybars. Also be careful you don't damage your tire with the sharp edge of the screwdriver, that is another reason to use spoons. They don't have a sharp edge on it. You can use another vehcle and drive on the tire, not the rim to break the bead from the rim if you are having problems. Also a big no no is never us a lot of pressure to pop the bead back on. If you use to much the tire will explode off the rim and possible injure you. I have done that once using a tire machine. Luckly no one got hurt. Just ruined the tire. I think the max pressure is 20psi or so. Also lube the tire up when putting it back on with soappy water. This will help the bead pop in place better.

Good luck,

Matt

 

It helps to have spoons and a platoon of guys to provide muscle and comments about how well the process is or is not going

 

Its definatly worth the 16$ or so to pay a shop to do it

 

murphy's oil soap works good, and Ken-Tool has some great tools for changing tires. I've used them on everything from rear tractor tires and skidder tires to a wheelbarrow. You might have to hit up an industrial supply house to find them. Use plenty of soap, and don't use oil. It'll rot the tire prematurely and cause you a big headache.

The only thing about having a tire shop do the swap is that some shops can be resistant to putting on tires that they didn't sell.

 

:iagree:

 

you could always buy the manual tire changer from harbor freight. That would make the job easier, but I'm with jeep2003... get a shop to do it... A) they have the right tools, B) they've changed lots of tires before, and C) they can balance them when finished.

after all... it's your life riding on those tires.

 

I'm in agreement with the money guys. At least pony up the $49 for the harbor freight job and a tire spoon.

I've got a Ranger 950 tire machine, and even THAT can be work sometimes.

 

In theory its not hard, but old tire can be a real pain to get off. I think I paid $5 each to pull the last set off and $8 each for a mount and balance! WELL worth it! The last one I tried my self took more then an hour!:

 

I have one of the harbor freight tire changers. It works real good and I got mine on sale for $39, don't forget to buy there little bubble balancer while your there.

 

When I was a kid, my Dad always made me change tires by hand. We had the tire tools (spoons) to get the tires on and off. To break the beads we usually just put a bumper jack under a pick-up and on the tire, jacking down on it untill it broke free. Everyone should learn how to do it, so go ahead and do your set. But it might be the last set you ever do yourself, much easier to pay someone, and also get a better balance job while you are there.

 

I have probly changed 700 to 1000 tires in my life. arround 75 to 100 of them by hand. if you know what you are doing it is not too hard if you are doing split rims when you air them up put them under the vehical so if the rim comes apart you wont be killed.
also be carful when the beed pops and as mention before dont air past the max tire psi on the side of the tire even to beed it.
just a little info on air psi a split rim comes loose at I think arround 20psi if it was under a vw bug it would have enough force to pick the car up 5 or 10 feet. I dont rember the exect numbers but that is what I was tought is a tire class from goodyear or bridge stone I dont rember witch one.

 

If you're playing with split rims then you want someone else doing the work. I like Jeepens' idea of using another vehicle as a tire cage though.

 

Not all split rims are a safety problem. The GPW and MB rims bolt together securely.

 

It's settled, I'll do the spare under the supervision of an experienced tire changer - depending on the outcome, I may finish or I may fork out the money to have the tire shop finish.

 

I would love to have you do it yourself, however I once tried this with two friends. We almost got stiches 3 times each and still didn't come close, but we were using small pry bars and not tire irons. I'm sure its easier with the right tools, but seemed pretty dangerous regardless.

 

I have heard way too many horror stories about split rims. I have watched it done with a tire cage, but you wouldn't catch me doing it even with a cage. I believe many years ago, a guy decapitated himself right in front of his wife I believe it was Here in town. Just a happy little note!
Doug