A Morning Not Gone to Plan

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 07/12/2020 at 15:45 • Filed to: Tractorlopnik

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The intention: Mow the grass, finish up shortly before lunch, have the rest of the day to relax.

The actuality:

Tractor had a flat tire. “Darn” I said, as this was a wheel I’d already put a tube in a couple years ago (originally tubeless... 35+ years ago, dry rotted into leakyness ) . Being on the front, I was able to limp it over to the garage to put air in it, figuring I’d mow and make note to buy a tube this week .

Alas the air came back out as quickly as I put it in. The tube needed to come out now if I was going to mow, or even make it back into the shed .

Vise is a good bead breaker

I hate doing tubes in these tires, they’re very old and thus hard, and seem to have the thickest bead in the world.

Insert not-tire-irons side by side, pry up, cross, and pry against center pole to slide them around and free the bead from the wheel.

Putting an appropriate sized bar in the bench vis e makes a convenient not-really-tire-machine to work on, and something to pry against to get the (now-lubricated) tire off the wheel on this side with the wrong tools.

The old tube came out and had a tear near the valve stem. I couldn’t find a corresponding defect on the wheel, so this was either damage from installation or a defect in the tube which, in either case, finally flexed enough to become a big leak.

I don’t have any pictures of putting the tire back over the bead because it was very difficult and involved a second set of hands, thus leaving -3 available to take a picture.

Back where it belongs

The grass has all now been cut, I skipped lunch, and my “rest of the day” to relax is greatly truncated, but at least it’s done (and I was able to get the right size tube locally!). When I did this one previously, I did both fronts. Time will tell if the other one will need re-done soon or if this was a fluke .

Nom De Plume > MM54 07/12/2020 at 16:14

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Your valve stem damage was due to tire slipping on the rim, torque. Effectively tire degradation is providing a constantly refreshing rolling surface where fresh rubber would grip against any surface irregularity.

With tire off you might have been able to counteract this slightly. Chances are it would make the problem worse though. When you do get a new tire it would be a good idea to refresh the rim surface.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > MM54 07/12/2020 at 16:18

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Center lock wheels ? Practically a race car.

MM54 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/12/2020 at 16:59

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There unfortunately isn’t enough axle past the wheel to thread it for knock-offs :)

MM54 > Nom De Plume 07/12/2020 at 17:03

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The damage wasn’t right at the valve stem hole, it was about 3/4" away, just past the edge of the thick patch where the valve stem is attached to. Thinking back, I remember having a hell of a time getting the valve stems to come out the holes on those old tubes (they were cheap, with the stem basically centered instead of offset) so it very well may have been me pinching it during installation.

As firmly as the bead was stuck, and being an un-driven wheel, I doubt there was much slippage. If the failure was where the tube meets the tire I’d be more suspect of the inside of the tire causing the abrasion.

If for some reason I do end up putting new tires on this, the bead surface (and probably the whole wheel) would definitely get a good refresh, and I’d probably go back to tubeless until they leaked again ;)

Nom De Plume > MM54 07/12/2020 at 17:20

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Tractors live a hard life. Should have stated that as a potential cause even if it still looks feasible.

Enjoy what’s left of the day and stay cool.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Nom De Plume 07/12/2020 at 19:45

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I like to blow a crap-load of corn starch into the tire/tube before I seat the bead. Not sure how much difference it makes long term, but I like to think it reduces the friction in there.

shop-teacher > MM54 07/12/2020 at 22:28

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Ugh. That is all.

MM54 > shop-teacher 07/12/2020 at 22:55

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Agreed.