Cost of Tire Changing

[55 Fargo]

Hey all, I have found that the local Tire shops and service shops, are really starting to charge high prices for their services. I am guessing like any other business, they need to turn a profit, and the bottom line keeps getting higher.

2 weeks ago I had 2 used old tires placed on rims, and they installed new valve stems, no balancing, $35.00 later, now that is much more than the rubber was worth.

I am really thinking of going and buying the elcheapo manual tire changer, it is like $50.00 on sale right now. I have watched some You Tube videos, of these things at work, and it may suit my needs. I have dirt bikes quads, lawn tractors, 4 vehicles on site. I also need 2 tires to be pulled off rims so I can bead blast and paint them, and then they can go back on the rims.

Now I know you can't balance a tire with this doohickey, but I figure I could save some money over the course of a few years.

Does anyone else, change and repair theier own tires, with some type of manual machine?.......

[Jerry Roberts]

Every now and then I see one of the old tire busting machines on Craigslist at a good price . I would be leary of a light duty contraption as it takes a lot of force .

[JerseyHarold]

Fred,

Have you tried Sam's Club or Costco to see what their prices are?

[1950 Special Deluxe]

I bought the cheapie at Princess Auto for under $50. For balancing, I use the air soft pellets that some one else mentioned here. Here is the link;

http://aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/balancing_beads/

[oldodge41]

I change my own tires. I use two 2X4's and my truck bumper to break the beads loose and a couple pry bars to dismount and remount the tires. I have been on the lookout for an old bubble balance stand at a good price. I see the harbor freight ones but would rather have an oldie. Also a tip for motorcycle tire is to clamp them in a vice just off the rim and tighten then twist side to side to pop the beads. My brother bought an old service station manual tire changer cheap to do his. I am just not willing to drive 30 miles when I can still do it with the stuff I have.

[TodFitch]

Mine are probably a bit easier than yours as Plymouth did not get "safety rims" until the late 1930s. Place the wheel under the bumper of a car and use a jack to pop the bead. And I have a couple of old spring leaves that I've ground the ends on that I use a tire irons. Last go around I borrowed a bubble balancer from a friend. Next time I'm going to try the balance beads.

[55 Fargo]

Hi All, I realize this machine is light duty for occasional use, but I watched couple of videos, and it was not too bad, very easy on a few tries. I have no doubt my strenght is better thna the Guys on the vids, as they were not very big Guys, but had no trouble, the bead breaker works great. I do not need to lay out any big money for a machine, and would be willing to try this unit out for size, Princess Auto, has a policy, Nosale is Final, till your satisfied. If I don't like the machine, it can go back very easily.

Again, I invite those to post, who have used the cheap units, and what was there experience, as we all know more expensive machines will be superior.....Fred

[55 Fargo]

I bought the cheapie at Princess Auto for under $50. For balancing, I use the air soft pellets that some one else mentioned here. Here is the link;

http://aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/balancing_beads/

Thanx Neil, do you like the changer, is it an okay tool for the handyman type like me....

[Plymouthy Adams]

nothing like having you own tire changer if you have the space to mount it proper...I got lucky about 25 years ago and snagged a Coats manual changer for 40.00 and I thought it was a steal even back then. I assure you it has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years and peace of mind knowing that my rims are being handled carefully..(some aluminum mags have delicate centers) at about the same time I also happened upon an excellent Micro bubble balancer for 20.00..best money I ever spent...its a sweetheart and one that you should be on the look out for. I have other balancers like a spin strobe and the ole Hunter clip on spin balancer but for quick and simple..the Micro hands down..

[1950 Special Deluxe]

Fred,

It is good for up to 16" tires. A co-worker had 1 and he did some tires for me and then when it went on sale I purchased my own for just under $50. I drilled a 3/8" insert into my garage floor in an out of the way spot. I bolt it down when needed, otherwise I put it on the shelf out of the way. I screw a pice of threaded rod into the hole to keep dirt and debris out of it. I have done about 10 tires on it, my little Ranger has aluminum rims on it and it worked ok. So, I would give it a thumbs up.

[Rodney Bullock]

Fred, around here all the tire shops can not do the 16 inch tube tire change so the ones that do know are not very expensive. The last time I had a tire changed over I paid 10.00 and it was balanced. These guy's know me and we have a great relationship. If you find someone that is into the old cars they would not charge so much:)

[55 Fargo]

Fred, around here all the tire shops can not do the 16 inch tube tire change so the ones that do know are not very expensive. The last time I had a tire changed over I paid 10.00 and it was balanced. These guy's know me and we have a great relationship. If you find someone that is into the old cars they would not charge so much:)

Thats great Rodney, and it used to be around the same up here, and smaller shops, but the last couple of years, like whamo through the roof.

I am going to try this little Princess Auto machine.....

[Young Ed]

Dads got an old school tire changer works pretty good not even mounted on the floor. We drag it out of the corner when needed and shove it back when done. Air breaks the bottom bead and a lever device breaks the top. The proper handle for removing the tire is long gone but the other one works.

[PatS....]

The old Coates Iron Tireman will save you some cash...takes a little hunting but they are still out there.

From eBay

Mine:

I found mine via a WANTED ad on Kijiji. $150 Sunk 4 drop in anchors into the concrete garage floor and 4 into the front driveway. I can bolt it down, use it then unbolt it and store it out of the way.

Edited October 28, 2011 by PatS....

[Dodgeb4ya]

I have this old coats 1010. Paid $150.00 and a paint job plus a MoPar battery sticker. Works great for all my old MoPars and all my friends tire work too. Grew up working one of these at an Enco gas station.

[oldodge41]

The old Coates Iron Tireman will save you some cash...takes a little hunting but they are still out there.

that is exactly like the one my brother bought

[55 Fargo]

Hey all, bought the Princess Auto tire changer, it is the same as the Harbourfreight type, both Chinese crap metal, there metal quality is atrocious, but you get what you pay for.

I broke the and bent the bead breaker, right quick. I was trying to break the bead on a 15 inch tire, and has no doubt been on the rim a long time.

Packed up the box, and was going to take it back, but had an idea at work today.

I had one of the Maintenance Guys, re-weld, and beef up the bead breaker, with some quality steel.

I brought it back home, and proceeded to break the beads on the stubborn tires, they broke, had to work at it for a while, rims and tires were togther a long long time.

I have not bolted this little unit down, so could not take the tires off, but that is a fairly easy part.

I will bolt down, and take pics tomorrow.

I want a machine like Pats, at work they have a Coats 10 10 machine, or it looks like it, maybe can buy it, when it goes to auction, it is sitting in a quonset hut right now....

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, removed 3 tires from rims today, the old bias snow tire was the hardest to remove, the newest tire on rim was the easiest.

I still have to mount my trie changer to either the garage floor, or might pour a pad, with threaded studs, for mounting and dismounting tires outside.

The machine is not bad, the design is fine, the quality of the metal is poor, and I can see myself beefing this thing up. I am still going to look for an old Coats like Pat's, as that is what I would like if possible...

[1950 Special Deluxe]

That is the same one that I have. Sorry about bragging it up to you. I have not tackled anything that old yet. The good thing about Princess Auto is, is that you can take it back at any time, and your money is refunded.

[55 Fargo]

That is the same one that I have. Sorry about bragging it up to you. I have not tackled anything that old yet. The good thing about Princess Auto is, is that you can take it back at any time, and your money is refunded.

Why take it back, it works?????

I broke the bead breaker, and had a Guy at work weld it up with new heavier quality steel, works like a charm.

I think for mounting tires, you have to be a little more careful, and lots of tire lube.

What is a decent sealer I could use on the rims when mounting the newer tires......Fred

[1950 Special Deluxe]

My co-worker used liquid WD-40 when we used his, so now that I have my own that is what I use. I just bought a 4 liter can and pour it into a spray bottle. Works for me.

[55 Fargo]

My co-worker used liquid WD-40 when we used his, so now that I have my own that is what I use. I just bought a 4 liter can and pour it into a spray bottle. Works for me.

Really as a sealant. I find the dish soap, is a good lube, but what about a bead sealer......

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you are referring to the bead, your rims if clean and painted will will require no sealer on the tire itself..just bes sure you use a good sudsy solution on the tire when mounting and immediate fill with air before it evaporates completely. I often use a light coat of original go-jo hand cleaner..makes for a super smooth install for the most part.

now if you are talking of the internal surface of the rim in general..descale the rust and coat with POR-15

[55 Fargo]

if you are referring to the bead, your rims if clean and painted will will require no sealer on the tire itself..just bes sure you use a good sudsy solution on the tire when mounting and immediate fill with air before it evaporates completely. I often use a light coat of original go-jo hand cleaner..makes for a super smooth install for the most part.

now if you are talking of the internal surface of the rim in general..descale the rust and coat with POR-15

Okay, the inner lip of the rim, 1 has some rust and scale, gonna bead blast this and the outside surfaces, was planning to use the New Tremclad Professional series rust paint, in Bright red:eek:.....thanx Tim plan to let rims cure for a couple of weeks too