Tire Changers Key Terms

Some key terms for tire changers

When it's time to patch, replace or inspect a tire, you can take a vehicle to the shop or quickly take a look at it yourself. Businesses with a stake in either two- or four-wheel transport, especially those with considerable fleets, often use manual tire changers to help staff become good at fixing tires quickly. To become more familiar with these machines, take a look at some of the terms of the trade.

 

Hitch mount

Many options for tire changers can fit onto the hitch of a truck for portability. This simple adaptation also allows for easier storage.
Try: Find examples of hitch-mount tire changers on this page at Web Bike World.

Mount/demount bar

Different tire changers have different types of systems. Some feature a "mount bar" or similar piece of equipment for getting tires on and off rims. These bars can have different features for allowing extra care in working with rims.
Try: Take a look at how this No-Mar Mount/Demount bar includes specialized gear to avoid marking up rims.

Breaking the bead

Breaking the bead means separating the tire from the wheel flange. Breaking the bead on the tire is something that many tire changer users report as a problem spot. Online training guides can show how to accomplish this step in getting the tire off the rim.
Try: For more on breaking the bead, check out this YouTube clip.

Tire balancer

When a tire has been worked on, it will need to be rebalanced. Tire balancers do the work of getting tires calibrated correctly for normal wear on the road. The trick of tire balancing is a big part of running a great auto shop, and knowing about tire balancing issues helps staff diagnose a vehicle.
Try: Find guidance on tire balancer options at Wheel Balancing 101.

Rim clamp

The rim-clamp tire changer is a common model of this kind of machine that uses a "clamping" piece to edge the tire off the rim. Lots of shops offer these models for doing quick and easy tire repair. Find out more with visual online pages that detail how this kind of tire changer works.
Try: Check out the Greg Smith Equipment Guide to Using a Rim Clamp Tire Changer for more on this type of device.

Motorcycle tire changer

These popular designs come in portable sizes that owners can haul around for fixing motorcycle wheels on the road.
Try: Take a look at motorcycle and multi-use tire changer designs and product info from Wicko.

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