[67drake]

I'm looking at buying a tire changer,something like this maybe.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-P...1%7C240%3A1318
After spending $$ to have a shop do them all the time,I figure it would pay for itself the first time I use it. (I own 6 cars/trucks). Problem is I don't know anybody that has one of these,so are these junk? Just need something to break the bead and hold the rim still so I can get the tire off the rim.
Any input would be great. Thanks!

[Ron Genovese]

I have one that I change over my slicks each season with. They work good for breaking the bead, but pretty tough to change a tire. It does work though. I also bought a bubble balancer through Harbor Freight that works well. For me I was having trouble finding tire places who you can trust to remove the 32 tire screws, change the tires, re-install the tire screws(if they didn't loose any) then balance the wheels.

[67drake]

Thanks Ron.
I know what you mean about who to trust. After having a few rims bent by incompetent shops,I'd prefer to do it myself anyway. Plus I'm a cheap arse. I just spent $48 the other day to have a set of Craigslist tires put on the wifes car and ditto on my car 2 months ago,I figure I'll look into a manual one for myself. Old Coates machines have not been selling for less than $400 around here,so it looks like my only option right now.
Thanks for the info.

[uforacing]

Originally Posted by 67drake

I'm looking at buying a tire changer,something like this maybe.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-P...1%7C240%3A1318
After spending $$ to have a shop do them all the time,I figure it would pay for itself the first time I use it. (I own 6 cars/trucks). Problem is I don't know anybody that has one of these,so are these junk? Just need something to break the bead and hold the rim still so I can get the tire off the rim.
Any input would be great. Thanks!

That unit is only $49 normal price at Harbor Freight. Might save you a few $$. There is one in West Allis. The E-bay one = $80 after shipping.

[Keith Seymore]

Good topic; thanks for posting, Drake.

For me, it's not only the quantity of tires (6 cars plus the trailer) but its the "time" aspect: I have to run the tire up to the Goodyear store, drop it off and then pick it up at lunchtime the next day. This would allow me to do it during the evening at my convenience.

Originally Posted by Ron Genovese

For me I was having trouble finding tire places who you can trust to remove the 32 tire screws, change the tires, re-install the tire screws(if they didn't loose any) then balance the wheels.

Plus - getting the "baby powder" on the tubes just right!

[performerrpm]

you fellas are pretty hardcore!!! i usually do most all the grunt work myself, but never the tire aspect

[Lightfoot]

Too bad there wasn't a demonstration video available that showed someone with average muscle using it. I'd consider getting one myself, if I knew it didn't take alot of arm strength to use.

[67drake]

UFO,yes,I saw the one harbor freight has for sale,that is where I would go,I just happened to be on E-bay when I posted this,so I used that link. I think the HF one looks pretty much the same.
Performer,I'm not hardcore,just cheap! And like Keith mentioned,I could do this at my convenience. I've been slamming plugs in my own tires for years now. Seems like someone here is always picking up a nail or screw,but for a bigger tear or hole in the tread I like to use a patch,which means the tire has to come off the rim. This aspect alone would save me about $75 a year,no kidding! It seems I'm always messing with tires in some way. Thats why I posted above that if I could find an old working Coats machine (for cheap!),I'd snap it up.
Lightfoot,I agree,I would like to see someone remove an old tire that has been on a rim for years,and see how easy the bead breaks,and how easy a new tire goes on. Getting the bead to seat to the rim can be a trick,but I do always get them,helps to have 2 people!
Thanks for the input guys.

[TAaddict]

I used to own a manual tire changer very similar to the one in the link mine was made by Coats and it worked really good. The bead breaker worked great but the dismount portion was a pain with low profile tires, was ok with standrad tires.

[784spdta]

I've got one of the Harbor Freight tire changers, for what it costs I can't complain. You have to bolt it down to use it, but I've found using it really pretty easy, breaking the bead on an old tire can be a bit challenging sometimes, but mounting and dismounting is simple and quick. The bar that comes with it is pretty long so you can get alot of leverage on it. I'd say buy on, it'll pay for itself pretty quickly, I know mine has.

[carbking]

Look around at some of the older service stations (or one going out of business) for an older Coates manual changer. You won't be sorry. We have been using one for about 40 years (steel wheels, mags, radials, slicks, whatever).

Jon.

[67drake]

Yeah,about 3 days after I started this thread I did find an old Coats 10/10 on Craigslist for $200,but was gone by the time I called. So I still am looking.If I don't find one the manual kind is what I'll buy.

[Simple Man]

I have the Harbor Freight manual tire mounter. It's not bad to use. Mounting it SECURELY to the floor is imperative. Other than that, it's pretty easy to mount and dismount tires.
Use plenty of dish soap on the beads for lubricant.