How to Mount Tires on Rims by Hand

Mounted tires are held to the rim by air pressure pushing the bead against the lip of the rim.

Mounting tires is an arduous process. Tire shops use pneumatic tools to mount tires. The pressure needed to get a tire onto the rim can be immense, and the pneumatic tools assist. The bead of a tire is a steel belt surrounded by rubber that keeps the tire in place on the rim. The steel belt is what makes mounting a tire difficult. If you need to mount a tire on a rim without the aid of pneumatic tools, the process will be difficult, but it can be done.

Things You'll Need

• Soapy water
• 2 crowbars or prybars
• Air supply
• Valve stem

Instructions

1. Place the rim on a flat surface and install a new valve stem. A new valve stem is not required but it is recommended. Wet the lip of the rim with soapy water. The wetter it is, the easier the process will be.

2. Wet the bead of the tire with soapy water. Again, wetter is better. Place the tire on the rim at an angle so that the bottom of the tire is partway on the rim. Kneel on the lower edge of the tire and lean on the top edge. Use a rotating and rocking motion to get the lower bead to pop over the lip of the rim. Placing pressure first on the top right and then the top left will make it easier. Use a pry bar positioned through the tire and under the lip to help pull the tire over the lip of the rim.

3. Place a pry bar under the lip of the rim and pull it down so that the bead of the tire is lower than the lip of the rim on one side.

4. Place the second pry bar in a similar fashion about six to eight inches up from the first pry bar. Moving counterclockwise, slide the second pry bar around the circumference of the rim. You may want to hold the second pry bar at an angle to the rim instead of straight at it. At an angle, the pry bar can slide along the underside of the lip of the rim, making it easier to mount. Keep the first pry bar stationary the whole time.

5. Set the tire so that the tread is on the ground and inflate the tire. You may have to bounce the tire up and down a few times to get the air pressure to push the walls out against the lip of the rim. Lubing the inside of the rim with soapy water helps to seat the bead properly. Inflate to the recommended tire pressure and inspect the wheel. Make sure there are no gaps between the tire bead and the lip of the rim.

6. Deflate the tire and inflate it again if any gaps do exist. Do not exceed the maximum pressure listed on the side of the tire.

Tips & Warnings

• Having an assistant help rock the tire into place initially and then help with the pry bars makes the process simpler. Using as much soapy water as necessary makes the process easier.

References

• Tire Rack: Mounting and Balancing Tires