How to catch a bead??

TheJunkMan2005 · 03-29-2005, 09:09 PM

Howdy all.

I'm killing myself trying to catch a bead on a set of 33x12.5/16.5 tires.. I've tried everything shy of starting fluid and a match, and packing it full of grease!

I've been at the first tire for about an hour now... Now, these aren't for my jeep. BUT, I have to put these on my truck to get my jeep out of the mud! Today I buried my CJ5 over the tires in mud trying to get a 1953 Willys out out of the mud!

Figured I'd put the mudding tires on my 3/4 ton GMC and go try to pull them out..

But, can't get the tires to catch a bead.. Any other ideas? I've tried laying on it, roling it, ratcheting strap and a bar, The rim is about 2" wider than the bead on the tire.. Should I grab the ether and a match? Or will that even work.. And if it's this hard now, what would it be like if the bead blew on the trail???

TheJunkMan2005

**BESRK** · 03-30-2005, 04:39 PM

I've used ether to seat a bead a few times. I would have to say.. it's dangerous and kinda scary. I quickly spray it around the inside of the tire bead and then make a trail of it that goes around to the treadl. I light that area that's out on the tread and the flame travels around back inside the tire. If it doesn't catch the bead the first time, I make sure the fire is completely out before trying it again with a little bit more ether. Failure to make sure the flame is out before you spray... will leave you without eyelashes, eyebrows, nose hair, and arm hair. It's not the best method of seating a bead but it has worked before... might want to have someone standing by with the video camera so you can send it in to one of those real video shows...

schmoken · 03-30-2005, 04:55 PM

A bicycle inner tube around the wheel to fill the space between the wheel and tire has worked for me before. A 16" tube worked on a 15" wheel. Sometimes the tube gets pinched then it's no good for junoir's bike anymore, so ya better get your own.

Just like what these guys are selling:
http://www.kentool.com/tireserv_TBS.htm

TheJunkMan2005 · 03-30-2005, 07:25 PM

I tried that ether thing this morning. It didn't work at all. I sprayed 1/4 can inside the tire, threw a match at it, and the flames ROARED for a few seconds, but still no work..

I've never heard of the bicycle tube thing. Sounds like an idea to try tommorow..

I've done the Grease thing before. It works, but is REALLY messy, and I'd rather not have the tires on the rims, than to put up with that PITA.

Thanks much,
TheJunkMan2005

SQF1 · 03-30-2005, 10:28 PM

You don't have a good garage to go to? It shouldn't cost more than a couple bucks to have tires mounted if you have a good mechanic. Prob $20 for all four.

TheJunkMan2005 · 03-31-2005, 07:23 AM

Nope.. No good garages around here. I live in richville, and all the garages around here hate people like me who has there own tire machine, and do most of there own work.. I have my own tire machine, snap on air compressor, and a bubble balancer. Just the rim is about 2" wider than the bead on these tires and I can't get it.

I'm gonna order one of the bead seaters that is on the sight listed above.. It looks pretty cool, and looks to make life 1000x's easier..

TheJunkMan2005

rjcj-8 · 03-31-2005, 09:29 AM

I use a ratchet strap around the tire to push the side walls out some.
Just be careful when releasing the strap and do it before finishing airing up tire.

jeepin cj-5 · 03-31-2005, 06:10 PM

A couple things that my friend did to get his 38s on the bead...... do it in a real warm place and let the rubber soften up a little bit. Also with the starting fluid... i have used some brands that just dont explode like other and just burned. Might try another brand of fluid. My friend swears by the stuff and has it down to an art.

waywardfool · 03-31-2005, 07:53 PM

hair spray pops real good. You didn't hear it from me.

03-31-2005, 06:10 PM	#8
jeepin cj-5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: frederick, MD Posts: 284 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	A couple things that my friend did to get his 38s on the bead...... do it in a real warm place and let the rubber soften up a little bit. Also with the starting fluid... i have used some brands that just dont explode like other and just burned. Might try another brand of fluid. My friend swears by the stuff and has it down to an art. __________________ 1973 cj5- needs alot of work 1985 cj7- SOA w/ Re 1.5" springs, Scout dana 44's, 4.56 gears f/r with full detroit f/r. Flattop knuckles and highsteer. Custom steering with 1 ton TRE's. Procomp es 3000 shocks w/ f250 shock towers. Tom Woods rear d shaft, 37" MTR's... with more and more sh*t piling up

03-30-2005, 04:55 PM	#3
schmoken Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lingle, WY Posts: 229 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	A bicycle inner tube around the wheel to fill the space between the wheel and tire has worked for me before. A 16" tube worked on a 15" wheel. Sometimes the tube gets pinched then it's no good for junoir's bike anymore, so ya better get your own. Just like what these guys are selling: http://www.kentool.com/tireserv_TBS.htm

03-31-2005, 09:29 AM	#7
rjcj-8 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I use a ratchet strap around the tire to push the side walls out some. Just be careful when releasing the strap and do it before finishing airing up tire.