Step By Step Guide On How To Mount Tires By Hand
Tires don’t come cheap, and if not mounted in the right manner, you may be going in for a replacement much sooner than expected.
That said, whether you have a severed tire beyond repair or need to replace the tube within your tire, it needs to be removed from the rim – repaired or replaced – then mounted back.
Whether you want to cut costs or treat it as a DIY project, you will be happy to know that with the right tools, you can manage tire mounting.
So,are you up for the challenge and ready to put in some elbow grease?
Read on to know how to mount tires by hand!
How Much Does Professional Tire Installation Cost?
Though professional mounting is much-recommended, it can burn a hole in your pocket. Depending on the rim-size and the car you drive, be ready to pay anywhere from$13 to $45 per tire.
Ifyou want said deed done on all four plus the spare, it may cost you around $65 to $225 – nowthat’s a hefty amount.
When you mount tires yourself, all you need to pay for are the tires (obviously) and possibly valve stems.
And the rest you pay in effort instead of hard-earned cash.
Hand-Mounting Tires To Rims
Before you begin, make sure that you got the right tire that matches the rim;for instance, a 15-inch would fit a tire sized at 15 inches. Also, make sure you have the following tools in arms reach:
- Tire lubricant
- Pair of pliers
- Pry bar or screwdriver
- A clean cloth
- Cardboard
- Air compressor
Here we go:
Step 1 — Valve Stem Insertion
If the rim in question has a functioning valve stem in place, skip to the next step; if not, take a valve stem, and lubricate it with some tire lubricant.
Now, insert it from the inside in the present hole; the tire will later cover this area. With the help of pliers, pull the valve stem till it seems to have a perfect fit.
Step 2 — Thorough Lubrication
For a seamless placement, it would be best to thoroughly lubricate the tire and the rim by hand or by using a spray. Therefore, apply a reasonable amount of lubricant on the outside edge of the rim and the inside bead of the tire.
Before you start, make sure that every inch of the tire bead is lubricated
Step 3 — Proper Positioning
Lay the wheel on a flat surface that has no bumps or cracks. If the ground below seems rugged and may lead to potential scratches, put cardboard beneath the wheel.
Now, place the tire right on top of the wheel in a manner that the rim’s top lip connects to the tire’s bottom bead.
Step 4 — Force
Step on the tire, and begin thumping your feet to connect the wheel’s top lip to the tire’s bottom. Ideally, you should apply force on one side, then use the other leg to apply pressure on the opposite side.
Some mild jumps will do wonders and quicken the insertion process. However, you should bring in a friend to help you with this — they can hold your hand to maintain balance while thumping and jumping.
Step 5 — Some More Lubrication
With the lower half of the tire inserted, now is the time to get the upper one seated. Though not easy, but some lubrication may help you in easily sliding it in.
Therefore, add more lubricant on the top part of the rim as well as the tire.
Step 6 — Some More Pressure
Like we recommended pushing the tire on one side, you have to do the same here but for the upper end.
Press one end of the tire so that it goes below the edge of the rim. The chances are that, despite you putting a considerable amount of force, the tire does not make past the lip; if so, press on the bottom end.
The idea is to create a big enough wedge between the upper lip and the upper bead of the tire to accommodate a pry bar.
Step 7 — Completion
With the help of the inserted pry bar, stretch the tire over the rest of the rim. While prying the tire’s bead on the rim’s upper lip, press down on the tire with your hands.
This two-part process may require a reasonable amount of time, but in the time it takes you to do a complete rotation, the tire will land right in place.
To avoid scratching up your alloys, keep the pry bar pressed against the bottom portion of the wheel’s upper lip.
If done right, the tire’s beads will be covering the wheel’s lips.
Step 8 — Filling Up Your New Tire
If you have followed every step correctly, your tire is correctly placed and needs just to be inflated.
Remove the cap from the valve stem, and use an air compressor to fill up the now mounted tire. Remember to keep your hands, clothes, or other tiny belongings away from the tire bead.Once inflated, all items underneath cannot be removed without moving the car.
Refer to the vehicle manual or the instructions on thetire’s side to know how much the recommended tire pressure for a comfortable and safe drive is.
Things To Avoid While Mounting
Here are some common mistakes people tend to make when mounting tires to rims, so you should always remember to:
- Check if there is a TPMS system in place, and be careful that you do not damage it, especially if it is next to the valve.
- Use a reverse mount adaptor if you have reverse mount wheels.
- Insert the bead breaker properly; otherwise, you may damage the sidewall as well as the rim.
- Use the right amount of lubricant; not too little, nor too much
Key Takeaway
All in all, having a correctly mounted tire keeps you and your ride safe and keeps the tire inflated at all times.
That said, for best results, we strongly recommend you to get the task handled by a professional.But, if you want to DIY, follow the steps mentioned earlier to the T — won’t take you that long!