changing tyre of alloy tubless rim??

[Jimmy]

Hi all,

I've only ever changed tubless or tubed tryes with a split rim. Can anyone give me some advice on what tools are required and/or method required to change a tubless tyre off a Defender Alloy rim? Is it a mission?

The reason I ask is becuase I'm looking to get a second spare and wondering whether its simply cheaper to change the tyre rather than lugging the entire second rim/tyre around as well.

thoughts, ideas, examples, links would all be very handy

cheers
Jimmy

[Scouse]

I just use tyre levers, a rubber mallet & plenty of soapy water to change tubeless tyres.
Unfortunately, the levers tend to mark alloy rims so I just use my method on steel rims & leave alloys to the tyre shop.

[Frenchie]

The LR alloys have a safety lip which is supposed to stop the tyre coming off the rim in the event of a blowout. This makes them (I believe - never had to do it myself) horrendously difficult to get off.

Tyrepliers don't work very well (if at all) and can damage the rim.

The R&R Beadbreaker is supposed to work and you used to be able to get a special accessory for LR alloys:

http://www.randrbeadbreaker.com/

[JDNSW]

Hi all,

I've only ever changed tubless or tubed tryes with a split rim. Can anyone give me some advice on what tools are required and/or method required to change a tubless tyre off a Defender Alloy rim? Is it a mission?

The reason I ask is becuase I'm looking to get a second spare and wondering whether its simply cheaper to change the tyre rather than lugging the entire second rim/tyre around as well.

thoughts, ideas, examples, links would all be very handy

cheers
Jimmy

It may be cheaper to change the tyre - but certainly not easier. I would not plan on changing a tubeless tyre at the roadside or in the bush except in an absolute emergency - it can be done, but is going to be very difficult without workshop tools and large volume air supply.

As Frenchie comments, LR wheels designed for tubeless tyres (as well as all others) have a raised rib to stop the bead coming off into the well if it deflates - and this fulfils the same purpose when you are trying to get the tyre off as well. This is the major drawback of tubeless tyres, but has to be weighed against the advantage that tubeless tyres have fewer punctures and minor punctures can be repaired at least temporarily without even removing the tyres.

Get a spare wheel to go with your extra spare tyre.

John

[rar110]

Depending on where you a going you could take a tube to insert with talcum powder. I understand this is ok as an emergency fix for a tubeless.

I once travelled from Daly waters to Victoria River Downs via Top Springs in the NT. I destroyed three 7.5 x 16 tyres on that road. A spare tube would not have helped as the walls got ripped out.

[Ken]

a few years ago i did work in a tyre shop and believe me when i say that the landrover rims defender or disco are one of the hardest rims to get a tyre to come away from the bead even with the best of tyre changer machines so IMHO you are better off leaving it to a tyre shop

[Michael2]

I've used tyre pliers on series rims - not too hard, unless the tyres have been on for several decades. I removed 4 x decade old tyres to fit some newer ones and it took hours :( . It was a hot day & I perspired several litres.

A few months ago I purchased 4 disco rims and pulled the tyres off them with tyres pliers and pulled the tyres off the series rims with tyre pliers and then fitted them onto the disco rims - only to decide to remove them a few weeks later and refit them without the tubes.:( :(

Having thus changed many tyres recently I feel qualified to warn that what you save in tyre fitting, you may need to pay a chiropractor.

If travelling long distances I'd carry 2 spares, but if I was travelling with another Defender, I'd be happy with three spares between us and a 4th tyre only (no rim) + tyre pliers.

The tyre pliers did scratch the Disco rims, so that's something to consider too.

As for tools required - a good heavy mallet and LARGE tyre pliers with the little lip on one end.

[Blknight.aus]

tyre pliers will work, but best to carry the second spare complete alloy rims are kind of fragile and Ive seen several that have had big nothed knocked out of them by tyre leavers and bead breakers..

The saftey lip is not an insurmountable obstacle but its a PITA, if it and the tyre decide to play funny buggers with you.

you can run tubes with loads of talk in a tubless to get you home but good luck getting the valve out the hole and having it stay there while you re-inflate.

[PhilipA]

I have never had to do it in the desert , but I did practice it.
One way to break the bead of a recalcitrant wheel is to place a board on the tyre near the rim and drive over it. Or you can do it slowly without a board, but someone ( brave) will have to stand on the other side of the tyre.
Another way is to place the jack next to the rim and jack up the car.
This of course does not solve the issue of reseating the bead. petrol anyone?
Regards Philip A

[DarrenR]

As already mentioned alloy rims require that much extra care and the safety lip on the rover ones make it that much harder still but not impossible. I've only ever carried 2 complete spares and tubes after that if it's been a bad luck day.

I've used nice wide flat levers on alloys with success and without damage. Breaking the bead with the extra weight of a rover on it and beat the tyre with a mallet has always worked, I thought this was a well known method. Put a tube in it once you have fixed the hole.

Of course at home (like everyone else) I get the local tyre shop to do it (quick, cheap and I'm lazy as hell).

Best regards
DarrenR