Anyone ever changed their own tires? Thinking about doing this soon using this article and wondering if anyone can tell me if its BS or it should work.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing.html

 

I didn't bother opening it. Having been a tire changer once upon a time I will say it wouldn't be easy without a tire machine. Even if its possible how do you plan on balancing the tire? If you don't balance it not only will it vibrate but it will wear unevenly. Leaving flat spots and "chopping".

 

my buddy has a tire changing set up, he changes tires all the time. the bead breaker, and mounting stand can
be made very easily with common 2x4s and a work bench and a little bit of hardware. buy some good quality
rim protectors and spoons. do some researching, I think you would be suprised how easy it is, little elbow grease will save you a ton of money

Balancing is easy too, use a Marc Parnes wheel balancer.http://www.marcparnes.com/ works perfect.He has done several sets of tires.

 

I am a mechanic(And have changed many tires,both with and without a tire machine)and everything he says here is possible and it is ez to change tires,but seriously the money he spent to buy all that stuff you coulda paid sum1 to do it 4 you.And yes i have plugged a 2 month old rear tire and its been fine(it is now 4 years old).

 

I have all the spoons,tire,machines,and balancers at my job thats the only reason i say take to sum1,that stuff is not cheap.....
unless your opening up your own tire shop seems like a waste o time...

 

the cost is kinda relative. if I remember right, he claimed the tools/set uppaid for themselves in 3 changes. basically the first season. He changed his
tires twice, and mine, anything after that first season is money saved.

Now, if you dont go thru a set of tires or two every season, or have a few buddies to help offset, it may be cheaper and easier to pay someone once a year or two.

 

Yeah 4 me it wouldn't be cost effective so if you weigh your options it might work for you....

 

wellI think I am going to try it myself... I get tools at cost so spoons and rim protectors shouldnt be that big of a deal. Even if I spend $100 its still way way cheaper than if I took it to the F*************s around here.

I will probably spend the $15 and have the local shop balance it though.

 

I bought my Harbor Freight tire changer with motorcycle attachment from e-Bay really cheap.One tire change will pay for the whole works.They charge an arm and leg where I live to change a tire.I know the Harbor Freight may not be the top of the line changer,but it works good,plus I can change tires on my ATV and mower also.A real money saver for me! Darrell

 

I've done my own by hand for years now. When I was racing it got too expensive to pay someone else to do it.

A couple motio pro tire irons, a bead breaker I made myself...I made my balancer (but I also havea lathe)

Its all about technique and patience.

Parts Unlimited has a nice spin balancer (this is what you'd see at the track) - just search for telefix balancers - $160.Cycletires.com also has one for $100...looks chintze though. There is a guy on ebay that selles a shaft, cones and bearings...which is all you need.

Tape weights - check ebay

Valve core tool - any autoparts store.

A bead breaker is a neccessity....I've seen these made from 2x4's.

Harbor Freight has a stand and motorcycle adapter...it has a bead breaker on it....its about$100. I know a couple guys that have these and say they are OK for home use.

If you have extra money, check out http://www.nomartirechanger.com/