PDA

View Full Version : How are tires mounted?


goodcase
05-03-2012, 08:11 PM
Sounds like a noob question but I do have a reason for asking.

I got my tires mounted at a local shop (wont mention the name) and they mangled the inside of the rim. It looks like a bunch of sprocket marks on the inside of every rim. It's not a cosmetic issue either, they physically put dents into the rim. Also a minor issue, but the caused part of the paint to chip off on all 4 rims. It's not really a HUUUGGGEEE deal as I'm getting them redone, but it did cause me to have to take them off and touch up the paint.
goodcase
05-03-2012, 08:15 PM
just noticed i typed wires in the title...meant to say wheels
The Wolf
05-03-2012, 08:29 PM
Done properly, there should be NO marks on the wheels after mounting tires.
Default User
05-03-2012, 09:16 PM
Done properly, there should be NO marks on the wheels after mounting tires.

Properly or not - the machine "rides" on the lip of the rim. It's very very difficult to not get ANY marks on the wheels when installing tires.

Especially with low profile tires
dentinger
05-03-2012, 09:24 PM
Properly or not - the machine "rides" on the lip of the rim. It's very very difficult to not get ANY marks on the wheels when installing tires.

Especially with low profile tires

i mounted a set of 295/30R19 on 19x11 wheels on tuesday. no marks/scratches/damage.
The Wolf
05-03-2012, 09:26 PM
Of course it's difficult. If it were easy, nobody would bother to pay somebody else to do it :P
Default User
05-03-2012, 09:33 PM
Of course it's difficult. If it were easy, nobody would bother to pay somebody else to do it :P

Post a DIY?! LoL who the hell has a tire machine in their home garage


i mounted a set of 295/30R19 on 19x11 wheels on tuesday. no marks/scratches/damage.

Truck rims don't count hillbilly LOL j/k


Like I said "very difficult" - not impossible. But even still... I think some people really need to see the process to understand how some things are done.

I've seen shops turn customers away because a customer seems to be a persistent anal douche about his oversized rims and super low profile tires (understandable from both views)
I've even seen a guy try to convince a tech to put rags on the wheel-clamp prong as not to scratch the inner barrels.
The Wolf
05-03-2012, 09:54 PM
I'm saying that just because something is hard doesn't mean it can't be done. OP claims he has dents in his wheels. This is not a matter of mounting tires being "difficult".
Doing my job properly is, at times, extremely difficult. Regardless, I am still expected to do it properly every day.
goodcase
05-03-2012, 09:56 PM
they were 225/40/18 on to an RX8 rims. Theres a small stretch, and i expected to be some minor scuffing. But this looks like they clamped the rim down or something. Ill try to post a picture when I get a chance.
Default User
05-03-2012, 09:58 PM
they were 225/40/18 on to an RX8 rims. Theres a small stretch, and i expected to be some minor scuffing. But this looks like they clamped the rim down or something. Ill try to post a picture when I get a chance.

Pic is key
And they do have to clamp the rim down
mazdaagain
05-04-2012, 01:05 AM
Sounds like either a problem with the machine or the installation guy. Mounting tires should not damage the rim.
McGuyver_3
05-04-2012, 01:24 AM
this is a VERY old tire machine. The claws that lock the rim in place will leave marks on the inside of the rim. It is a normal because they are made of hardened steel and aluminum is bound to take the damage. The newer style machines went to a center hold down or the newer version of the older machines went to rubber mounts to prevent this from happening
SonicBoy
05-04-2012, 08:48 AM
Never had issues with Keith at Exclusive Wheel and Tire. He always ensures the wheels are mark free.
dentinger
05-04-2012, 09:58 AM
Truck rims don't count hillbilly LOL j/k


i dont know what kinda truck you're talking about haha
they were '08 Carrera wheels. also, they're the same wheels the new Aventador uses
:)
mleblond
05-04-2012, 10:39 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OqRXELm3c
krimsalt
05-05-2012, 08:23 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OqRXELm3c

Haha, I've seen that done before. It's pretty funny
midnightfxgt
05-09-2012, 10:15 AM
A few points:

1) It is easy to dimple the inner barrel - if this style of clamp is chosen
2) It has nothing to do with the age of the machine.

Here is a pic of a common clamp system on a tire machine:
http://www.allstates.com/Coats5070table.jpg

Option 1) The clamps will grab onto the barrel lip
Option 2) The clamps will use force and press against the inside of the barrel

If you look at "3'0clock" on the clamps, you will see the 6 small points, on the back of the clamp. THIS is what causes the dimples.

I would never use this style of clamping on a nice wheel. Steelies or really beat up wheels, sure, but not a nice set! :)

-John
mleblond
05-09-2012, 10:23 AM
Yeah option 1 with maybe a plastic/rubber attachment (or maybe plastidip the clamps) would be acceptable.
midnightfxgt
05-09-2012, 11:15 AM
Yeah... PlastiDip wouldnt hold up. There are plastic covers usually, and the really nice clamps have nylon inserts :)
SonicBoy
05-09-2012, 07:05 PM
+1 to the euipment but the 2nd most important part is the tech operating the machine and his/her attitude about caring about marking a wheel.

Always make sure up front about your expectations before proceeding with mounting/un-mounting at any tire shop.
Default User
05-09-2012, 08:43 PM
Wonder of OP is content with all these responses LOL
Reddie1337
05-09-2012, 08:53 PM
If he is saying it chipped paint, they probably clamped the spot where the bead sits, not inside the rim. Either way, there are supposed to be rubber boots that stop that. The tech probably didn't use them, or if they did, maybe the tool wasn't working right.
goodcase
05-16-2012, 04:51 PM
A few points:

1) It is easy to dimple the inner barrel - if this style of clamp is chosen
2) It has nothing to do with the age of the machine.

Here is a pic of a common clamp system on a tire machine:
http://www.allstates.com/Coats5070table.jpg

Option 1) The clamps will grab onto the barrel lip
Option 2) The clamps will use force and press against the inside of the barrel

If you look at "3'0clock" on the clamps, you will see the 6 small points, on the back of the clamp. THIS is what causes the dimples.

I would never use this style of clamping on a nice wheel. Steelies or really beat up wheels, sure, but not a nice set! :)

-John

The way that machine works looks like the damage on the rim, I guess they are just using old machines. Either way though, the tech probably should have been a bit more careful.
highlineMotors
05-16-2012, 09:09 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OqRXELm3c

Being a mechanic, I have actually had to do this...on truck tires. The shop I worked at was too cheap to get the proper tool--the bead seater. And you can use ether. But no, this is not how you mount tires. It's obviously dangerous, and can damage the valve, the tire, and more.
midnightfxgt
05-18-2012, 08:22 AM
The way that machine works looks like the damage on the rim, I guess they are just using old machines. Either way though, the tech probably should have been a bit more careful.

This is a good machine, problem is that it can clamp the rim OR barrel.... the tech made the wrong choice. :(
krimsalt
05-19-2012, 08:03 PM
Being a mechanic, I have actually had to do this...on truck tires. The shop I worked at was too cheap to get the proper tool--the bead seater. And you can use ether. But no, this is not how you mount tires. It's obviously dangerous, and can damage the valve, the tire, and more.

Not to mention your eyebrows if you stand too close :P