Thread: Tyre pliers for D4 tyre removal?

I used a bead-breaker on a D2 16" rim, Tyre Pliers IIRC for which a special foot was used for the LR rims where the bead is absent at the valve. It wasn't my tool nor my rim, instead the tool owner's rim, carried as a group tool on a cross-country desert trip. However I don't know if the tool is useful for D4 19" rims.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

This topic is an eye opener for me. I smugly decided not to carry a second spare wheel (due to weight), but to just take a spare tyre and a set of heavy duty bead breakers on any extended remote trip. Never got around to testing them. But I'm worried now. We need an AULRO testing lab!

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

whose got a D4 rim they dont mind getting a bit scratched in N melb?

....

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

yes, but theres a bit of an art to it, many swear words chocks of plastic/wood and tape to protect the rim.

I also suggest some cheater tubes to extend the handles for the jaws.

I've used these to remove a tyre from my previous D2a rim.
Safari 4X4 Store R&R Beadbreaker Official Site - Safari 4x4 store R&R Beadbreaker

Because we were camped for a couple of days I thought, 'why not give it a go, I've got a couple of hours'. I agree completely with Dave's comments about swear words, frustration, protection of the rim edges ... and time, not to mention getting the tyre to re-seat (I failed) despite lots of soap to lubricate the process. Luckily we were camped on the edge of a beautiful waterhole, under shade, so the opportunity to go for a walk to calm down was invaluable.

If you decide to go with this option make sure you let them know that your dealing with a Land Rover as you'll need to purchase their Hub adapter so you can get the angles correct on the rim to successfully break the bead. The Beadbreaker also works to refit the tyre without needing to use mallets etc.

As others have said, the issue is LRs design of the low pressure safety bead. It works really well in keeping the tyre on the rim at reduced pressures, but makes remote tyre changing a real pain. Back in Alice Springs the local tyre agent rolled his eyes at the site of being asked to re-seat another LR tyre on the rim. It finally 'popped' at 90psi, not something you want to be standing next to under OHS standards. Based on my experience you need an equally high volume/flow compressor if you want to maximise the chances of getting the tyre to re-seat in the field.

I've changed to 17" rims (2.7 TDV6 D4) and carry a complete spare but still carry the tyre changer 'just in case'.

Hope this helps
Craig

To seat the beads, fit a ratchet strap or hand winch cable around the tread of the tyre to pull the tread inwards which pushes the beads outwards and remove the valve insert to allow faster airflow, after having dropped the wheel heavily on its back to start the rear seal.

I've only just remembered buying a bead breaker kit many moons ago and sticking it in the shed amongst all my junk and forgot it until now. Getting old I suppose. I'm going to take it with on our next trip just in case.... and I do remember putting a ratchet strap in to squeeze it a bit to make bead seating easier.
So the memory is not that bad.
AlanH.

Originally Posted by ATH

So the memory is not that bad.
AlanH.

If I could only just remember where the shed is...

Originally Posted by Graeme

To seat the beads, fit a ratchet strap or hand winch cable around the tread of the tyre to pull the tread inwards which pushes the beads outwards and remove the valve insert to allow faster airflow, after having dropped the wheel heavily on its back to start the rear seal.

Thanks Graeme,
valuable additional points. In my case I had removed the valve centre and tried using a ratchet strap to 'squeeze' the tyre sidewalls out to assist in the seating of the bead, but stopped when the tyre pressure gauge on my compressor exceeded 70 psi. Yep the thought of the strap letting go did worry me.

I will admit to not trying your 'drop suggestion' although there were times ...

The temp of the day may not have helped as I'm sure the soap/water solution was drying not long it was applied. I've subsequently read suggestions of people using a small bottle pump spray to help keep the soap solution wet without getting your fingers 'too close to the action'. Seems like a good idea as well and probably worth thinking about.

Craig

Have been following this with interest. While the discovery rims seem fraught with challenges, has anyone any experiences with Tuffant wheels? I have a set that I plan to use on our outback travels..