Re: I want to change my own tires

On Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:13:29 -0000 (UTC), badgolferman wrote :

But what specific tire-removal & replacement & balancing tools do I
need?

 It's not that simple, but you can do it if absolutely necessary.  I've
done it with motorcycle tires using the zip tie method.  It is very
possible to damage the sidewall bead though.  For balancing you could
use dynamic beads or a bubble balancer.  Harbor Freight has a tire
changer but it's debatable how easy it is to use and how long it will
last.

Hi badgolferman,
I just picked up two free SUV tires from Amazon Vine & along with the free
tire irons, tire valves, wheel weights, etc., I mounted & balanced them.
IMHO, it's simple but without the right tools, it's nearly impossible.
You need, at the very least three fundamentally different tools.
1. Bead breaker
2. Tire mounter
3. Wheel balancer
I have the crappy tools from Harbor Freight. They work. But they stink.
1. https://www.harborfreight.com/portable-wheel-balancer-59140.html
2. https://www.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-58731.html
3. https://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-58769.html
I have those tools but the bead breaker looks like this instead:
https://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/i/m/image_25063.jpg
It looks like HF doesn't sell that particular style anymore.
https://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-92961.html
If anyone wants pictures of today's mounting & balancing, let me know.
Pretty much everything but the compressor I get for free on Amazon Vine.