DIY tyre removal; 1.9 alloys

[lagonda 42]

I've changed tyres myself years ago, but usually tubed tyres on old car wheels. I recall attempting to remove one of the 205's tyres many years ago, however without success. Too long ago to recall what the problem was. I suspect it was either breaking the bead away from the rim, or getting the bead seated enough in the well of the wheel to aid extending the bead over the wheel rim.

 

Four of the tyres are being replaced, so plenty to practice on before I take off the one good one .... I'm getting the wheels repainted, and it's going to help a lot if I can give him the bare wheels; he has no tyre changing equipment. Not concerned about refitting as that will be done by the firm I'm buying the tyres from (not local so not good for removing the tyres).

 

So, has anyone else removed their tyres? I have 18" tyre levers and a 12 ton hydraulic press (recent purchase), but not a tyre changing stand as illustrated on youtube!

 

How did you do it? Any hints and tips?

 

Laurence

[Tom Fenton 1,582]

Honestly don’t bother. Find a local tyre fitters and let them do it with their machines.

[lagonda 42]

Hi Tom,

  Unfortunately the CTi is the only roadworthy car I have, so bare rims no good for driving the car back home. The place I usually use is in Parthenay, and he can't supply the Michelin tyres I intend fitting. Yes, France's premier tyre manufacturer, an tyre supply/fit company in France can't supply them. Welcome to the world of French logic.

Laurence

[Tom Fenton 1,582]

If it’s the only roadworthy car I’m not sure how the logistics work of getting the wheels painted, the new tyres on and the wheels back on the car?!

Anyway good luck is what I’ll say, if after breaking the bead on one tyre, you carry on to do the rest, you are far more determined than me. Personally I’ve recently bought a tyre machine.

[welshpug 1,683]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Changer-Portable-Remover-Breaker/dp/B013K8D7IA/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=tyre+bead+breaker&qid=1582998608&sprefix=tyre+bead+&sr=8-8

 

 

I have one of these, only use it for the bead breaking part, I use normal tyre levers for the removal, have a nice old 2 foot long lever as well as a couple of cheap shorter ones.

 

I wouldn't use it on any wheels I cared about though, far too easy to mark them.

 

 

in your situation I'd find a breakers yard and buy whatever random psa 14" steels with legal tyres then stick the alloys in the back.

[Biggles 65]

Mine looks like that Wolf one but IIRC is a Clarke.  Also have the proper bar for alloy wheels (which cost more than the stand).  14", 15 " & 16" road tyres are easy.  Reinforced gravel tyres (15") a bit harder and I don't even attempt 15" tarmac tyres.

[Tom Fenton 1,582]

Needs work but was cheap, I got sick of paying more and more for tyre changeovers.

[barneys66 126 1 Cars]

Agreed - my changer and balancer cost £500 for the pair but have been well used and could be sold tomorrow for the same money.

 

Appreciate they're not small bits of kit though, and the breaker needs air which is an added expense (and benefit)..

 

[Caimin 0]

If you are getting new tyres anyway, then you could cut the old ones off? Unless maby they are good for something else? 

[Callum 13 1 Cars]

If you need the car put the spare on then swap to each corner once you have done what you need to on that side 

[lagonda 42]

Not that easy! The guy painting the wheels is an English ex-Peugeot garage bodywork specialist I met at a seminar over here. He did some very good body repairs on my CTi I few years ago; he's set up a body repair workshop in his back garden. The trouble is he's nearly 50 miles from me, and he dislikes mechanical work; therefore no tyre changing equipment or enthusiasm for removing the tyres. The good news is that his son has lost interest in his 205 GTi, which is stored in dad's workshop ... and he's happy to swap the GTi's wheels for mine to facilitate things. He's probably going to bring the wheels to me, so I'd prefer to have bare rims to give to him, to save troubling him further. I think cutting the tyres off would be more difficult and time consuming than levering them off! No problem with 4, but the fifth is the unused spare so would need removing without cutting...

Laurence

[Tom Fenton 1,582]

Anyone who suggests cutting a tyre off as a good way to proceed I will wager has never actually tried to do so!!!!! I have once many years ago.

 

Here is what I would do in your situation. Drive to your painter mans place. Get the loan set of wheels put them inside your car. Drive to a tyre workshop. Pay them to remove your wheels from your car, remove the tyres from your wheels, fit the loan wheels to your car. Drive back to your paint man drop off your wheels. Done.

[Caimin 0]

Lol thats true i never actually did cut one off, just assumed it would be easy. Fair enough.

[Tom Fenton 1,582]

It’s an utter ball ache mate. Getting through the steel cords in the bead without damaging the wheel, the s*ite and mess everywhere, it’s really really not worth the hassle, from someone who aged 17 and skint, tried!