Quote:
Originally Posted by ol'George
It works much better if one uses actual "tire spoons" or tire irons.
Most times "screwdrivers" screw it up causing tube punctures, especially for novices.
Google "tire spoons" usually comes in a set of 2 or 3.
I made my own, near 60 years ago and still use them.
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George is absolutely right! tire spoons are like 5 dollars at harbor freight. well worth the cost and you need two. you cannot use too much lube. I prefer tire lube which is also very inexpensive but slightly diluted dish soap works . lastly since it is winter for most of us now - do your self a favor and put the tires inside the house for 24 hours - so they are warm and pliable.
Most steel LT/GT rims have a mount/dismount side - typically it is the valve side of the rim because they were made to be mounted on a machine and inflated in one swift operation - this is the case when one edge of the rim is rolled over further than the other edge, if the edges are rolled the same then it does not matter
fronts I find are easiest to mount with a large bolt/washers/nut through the axle tube tightly then held in a vise by the bolt.
rears I find are easiest to mount on the ground on a rug or doormat for traction on the first bead (if you are installing a tube after the first bead is mounted is the time to place your tube in the tire) then stand on the tire to force the bead into the drop center of the rim. use your tire spoons to get the second bead over the rim
wire brush/media blast and smooth rough spots fill holes and paint the inside and outside of your rim before mounting the tires!