Tire Changers

[rono]

Does anyone know anything about the tire changers offered by Harbor Freight or Northern Tools? The have one from $39 to $59, or there may be another type available somewhere else if you know of one. I would like to get one for use in my shop at home. Occasional use only. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I have the Harbor Freight tire changer. I use it to change motorcycle tires mostly. I have changed a couple trailer tires with it too (small 14 inch ones). I don't know that I'd want to use it on a full size car/truck tire but it works good for the light duty stuff.

 

[CJPerry]

Last week I picked up the Harbor Freight tire changer on sale for $35. I swapped four 32 x 11. 50s on my Jeep and it worked great. It took a little practice, but by the fourth tire I had the technique down and it only took a few minutes. At $35 I already made my money back, so I think it was a good investment. The caveat, I wouldn't use it on nice wheels. My Jeep wheels are painted steel wheels that I am not worried about scratching. I would not use it on the aluminum wheels on my Dodge.

 

[jvmoore]

I have one I bought from harbor freight. I've changed tires as big as 33x12. 5x16. 5 on it with no problem. I have used it on aluminum rims, the secret is to make sure to lube the beads up really well, standard dishwashing soap works well for this, and to tighten the rim down tight (not snug) as it will move otherwise. Of course the stiffer the bead and sidewall the more problem you will have. I've see guys mount these one plates to make it easier to move but I personally wouldn't recommend that. I've had to lay my 240 lb frame into it to get an old trailer tire off before! Anchor it to something solid and charge yours buddies $2. 00 per tire to dismount and mount tires (keeps them from bugging you all the time)

 

[TowPro]

Dish detergent causes corosion inside the rims. Go to pepboys and get tire lube. I have the harbor freight system including the motorcycle wheel attachment. Never used it on car/truck tires yet.

 

[JayWm]

I've changed tires as big as 33x12. 5x16. 5 on it with no problem.

There is a big difference in the bead design of a 16. 5 tire/wheel versus a 16" tire/wheel. 16. 5's are very easy to debead, this is in part why they went away in favor of 16" and now 17" etc... . all you really need for 16. 5's is a pair of tire irons. As several of you said, I'd use it on wheels that I was not concerned about, but not on nice aluminum wheels.

 

[SCosgriff]

Does this mean that you would not recommend it for sport quad tires made of alluminum.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I use mine all the time on my aluminum motorcycle rims - ones that I have the lips polished up like a mirror. I use plastic rim protectors and cut up soap bottles (the white plastic kind) to protect the rims from scratches.