How To Change a Tire?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:53 pm

Anyone with experience changing large tires on semi-trailers, that might have any tips about getting one mounted?
I'm doing this by hand.
I finally have the lugnuts off (33mm on unilug).
But I'm having issues getting the new wheel on the studs and lined up.
It's a real adventure with broken ribs.

Any tips?

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:58 pm

Can you crib up the tire with some plywood or other thin pieces of wood so that you don't have to lift the tire and rim to get it in the general correct location? Maybe some thin wood wedges?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:07 pm

I can try.
I seem to be getting it too high or too low.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:08 pm

I have it on a jack, so I can raise and lower it with some difficulty.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:31 pm

It is actually pretty difficult to create any level surface because the tire had settled into a depression in the ground.
The ground is slanting down toward the hub.

I might have to use a large piece of wood and raise the axle higher.
I'm guessing it has to go on very straight?

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:36 pm

When I put wheels on my big-truck I use a big pry bar to lift and align.
The doing it with broken ribs part... my best suggestion is bribe someone else to do it!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:36 pm

When I put wheels on my big-truck I use a big pry bar to lift and align.
The doing it with broken ribs part... my best suggestion is bribe someone else to do it!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:22 pm

Great idea.
I didn't have anything suitable with me today.
I have some three footers around.
Think that will be enough?
I had a bigger one somewhere if I can find it.

Doing okay with the ribs so far, but I don't think I want to wrestle that rim on without some help.
Bar might do it.

I got a 20" breaker from northern tool plus the 33 mm socket in 3/4".
Couldn't afford the three foot breaker, even from them.
Had to use a pipe on the breaker.
One very stubborn nut left that wouldn't come loose, and broke the first socket I tried.
I have a traditional 4-way tire wrench, but Surprise!...it wouldn't fir the newer stuff.
They still make these wrenches, even in metric now, but expensive.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:16 pm

Post by **Sham** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:52 pm

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:01 pm

If the truck runs, drive it the short distance to a better area to work on. I assume your on soft ground since it sank in to the earth.

A lever under the tirelifted is how I simply lift them up into position, but at 255 pounds its easier for me to say than for people to do.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:24 pm

I can't shift it without damaging the tire on the wheel now.
I only have the outer rims on it now, and due to the suspension, I can't move it to where it is going without fixing the tire.
This type of suspension shifts weight to the lower axle, so a flat tire gets all the weight.

Cool lift, Ygmir.
I haven't seen that one before.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:29 pm

mdmf007 wrote:If the truck runs, drive it the short distance to a better area to work on. I assume your on soft ground since it sank in to the earth.

A lever under the tirelifted is how I simply lift them up into position, but at 255 pounds its easier for me to say than for people to do.

The ground isn't too soft.

I don't think the tire weighs 255 pounds, but it might.
At least it isn't the older cast rims.
Lifting those is murder.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:02 pm

lower the axel to the exact hight and if theres a hub walk it in over the hub, jack it up a little and rotate into place.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:04 pm

no lifting just shifting.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:11 am

"...any tips about getting one mounted?"

snicker

"I'm doing this by hand."

double snicker

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:22 am

FIGJAM wrote:lower the axel to the exact hight and if theres a hub walk it in over the hub, jack it up a little and rotate into place.

That's what I'm trying to do, but either I'm getting it wrong or the ground is tripping me up.
The tire is uneven from wear to add to the fun.
I'm about to go have at it again.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:43 am

will the tire rim hang on the hub? Once its there can you get a bar under the tire to finesse it into place? im trying to imagine doing this in your condition. is there no one to help you for 5 damn mins.......lol

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:05 pm

I'm only mounting the outer tire now, so there is only the center hub and the studs and once I'm lined up there, I'm done.

I am going to try to recruit some help, but the yard is across town, so it will tie up their time for a bit.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 6:38 am

Well, I gathered up all the prybars I could get, including an eight foot long, 1" solid milspec titanium rod, and found two people to help.
While we were unloading, one of the guys, a mechanic of questionable skill (usually), walked over and slid the wheel on.
I didn't see him do it, so I don't know exactly how he did it, and his explanation doesn't help at all.
He says to start with the bottom studs, which I was trying to do.

So either I had everything almost set when I stopped last time, or I really am not getting this at all.
And I wasn't going to pull it off again to practice.

While loading up, I caught on a vine and went into a big hole really hard, just like a cartoon coyote.
I couldn't even land well because I was busy trying to not get sliced up on the big piece of metal I was carrying.

And it was still a pretty good day.

So I guess the lesson is to just rush the right person over next time and let them tip it into place with their forefinger.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:34 am

you learn well, grasshopper.........