Mounting Tires via DIY?

[festyfreak39]

this is going to probably come off the wrong way:

why not just buy a tire machine and balancer? im into my stuff for less than 1100$ and ive paid it off doing stuff on the side during winter seasons. I've made money on it and i've had it less then a year.

even go half'sees with a friend or buddy makes things really affordable.

[nitrofarm]

this is going to probably come off the wrong way:

why not just buy a tire machine and balancer? im into my stuff for less than 1100$ and ive paid it off doing stuff on the side during winter seasons. I've made money on it and i've had it less then a year.

even go half'sees with a friend or buddy makes things really affordable.

Thats not a bad idea Im going to start trolling craigslist for one.But you can get a pretty nice car for $1100...

[nitrofarm]

I got tired of paying the tire shops myself.
Around here it is $80-$130 to mount and balance 4 wheels/tires, crazy.
I started watching auctions and estate sales, I purchased an older style euro tire machine for $300 at an estate sale and picked up a brand new Ranger electronic spin balancer for $1800, this one: http://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Wheel-B.../dp/B004HL02TM . I paid for both in less than 6 months balancing tires for friends and neighbors at 1/2 of what tire shops charge.
I took a 5 gallon bucket and a pair of weight pliers to the local wreckers and spent about 1/2 a day collecting wheel weights, paid $20 for a bucket full of weights.

Thats a lot of tire work you got in 6 months huh? How much do you charge for a D/M/R/I with a balance & disposal? Jus curious.

[Twistiva]

All -

I appreciate everyone's comments on here. It appears the consensus is, essentially....'tough, but do-able, and may not be worth the sweat and aggravation'.

If I were to mount/balance tires often I would definitely buy a tire machine and balancer, but I don't see me having to mount a lot of tires; at most 2 sets of four over the next year or so and that would be about it. Plus, I'm eyeball deep in remodeling my home with a garage full of stuff for the home and no real room to store a tire machine and balancer. Both add up to my wife would be torqued. :nono: That's the kind of reaction a wife gives when you're still undergoing a multi-year remodeling project.

So.....guess I'll try one myself and if it sucks I'll take the rest in to be done by a tire shop.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

[jmye1524]

Mounting Tires via DIY?

Funny I just found this thread..........I just made this stuff up the other day.
Did 4 14" and one 31/10.50/15....,piece of cake.
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[jmye1524]

Mounting Tires via DIY?

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[jmye1524]

Mounting Tires via DIY?

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[jemartin144]

I just decided to tackle this same problem. I went a bit less DIY, but with good results so far. Mounted and demounted a 13" a few times now and that went ok. Two things I've learned are: make sure the changer is really well secured and lots of lube.

Harbor freight tire changer with a no mar mount/demount bar.

[econoaddict]

I forgot to mention I bought and tried the HF bubble balancer, but couldn't ever figure out how to use it, or if it was defective or not. Just didn't work for me. I should put it up for sale. Maybe someone else could get it to work.

Karl

I used one of those for a couple of years, the biggest problem is that it has to stiff of springs on it for our small tires, take off a couple of springs and it works much better, make sure you get one from each opposing side of course.

[Twistiva]

I just decided to tackle this same problem. I went a bit less DIY, but with good results so far. Mounted and demounted a 13" a few times now and that went ok. Two things I've learned are: make sure the changer is really well secured and lots of lube.

Harbor freight tire changer with a no mar mount/demount bar.

Do you think you could do a 195-15-45 tire?......and, if so, what did the tire changer cost you?

[festyfreak39]

Do you think you could do a 195-15-45 tire?......and, if so, what did the tire changer cost you?

That was what i used before i bought my machine and balancer,

and yes. you can. Just need alot of muscle, 2 people helps

[sketchman]

Right now on harbor freight's site the changer is $39.00 shipped with the usual 20% off coupon code - "39415001".

[Twistiva]

That was what i used before i bought my machine and balancer,

and yes. you can. Just need alot of muscle, 2 people helps

Right now on harbor freight's site the changer is $39.00 shipped with the usual 20% off coupon code - "39415001".

Hey, guys, thanks for the info! :-)

[nitrofarm]

" Originally Posted by econoaddict:
I got tired of paying the tire shops myself.
Around here it is $80-$130 to mount and balance 4 wheels/tires, crazy.
I started watching auctions and estate sales, I purchased an older style euro tire machine for $300 at an estate sale and picked up a brand new Ranger electronic spin balancer for $1800, this one: http://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Wheel-B.../dp/B004HL02TM . I paid for both in less than 6 months balancing tires for friends and neighbors at 1/2 of what tire shops charge.
I took a 5 gallon bucket and a pair of weight pliers to the local wreckers and spent about 1/2 a day collecting wheel weights, paid $20 for a bucket full of weights.

Thats a lot of tire work you got in 6 months huh? How much do you charge for a D/M/R/I with a balance & disposal? Jus curious.

[Woolleybully]

I can change a tire on my aluminum festiva rims in about 15 minutes with two tire spoons. To take a tire off, I get the tire "half on/half off", then stand the whole assembly up and push down on the tire, kinda folding it off the rim.