Mounting & balancing tires yourself: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:mount balance 1.JPG|150px]]

Not shown, above, is the valve core tool. I like 11" tire irons personally, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique, but not long enough to give enough leverage to Easily bend a rim. Note, I do NOT use tire lube of any sort as I don't find it necessary. But, it does make the task a bit easier... so if you're going that route, buy some purpose made tire lube. Don't try to make due with something, and do NOT use dish soap and water, as that stuff can, and will, eat at the tire. It's designed to attack grease (oil), and tires are a petroleum product. I've seen a few nasty looking tires that had gooey, melty rubber from dish soap.

Not shown, above, is the valve core tool. I like 11" tire irons personally, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique, but not long enough to give enough leverage to Easily bend a rim. Note, I do NOT use tire lube of any sort as I don't find it necessary. But, it does make the task a bit easier... so if you're going that route, buy some purpose made tire lube. Don't try to make due with something, and '''DO NOT''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can, and will, eat at the tire. It's designed to attack grease (oil), and tires are a petroleum product. I've seen a few nasty looking tires that had gooey, melty rubber from dish soap.

Dish soap is also not kind to your wheels. After a few years, it has eaten away the rim on this one to the point that it will no longer hold air.

[[Image:dishsoap.jpg|150px]]

The first thing you want to do is remove the core from the valve stem, letting all the air out. Next, lay the rim on 2 pieces of 2x4, which acts as a cushion from the floor, and keeps the brake rotor from touching anything.

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 [[Image:mount balance 1.JPG|150px]]
-Not shown, above, is the valve core tool. I like 11" tire irons personally, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique, but not long enough to give enough leverage to Easily bend a rim. Note, I do NOT use tire lube of any sort as I don't find it necessary. But, it does make the task a bit easier... so if you're going that route, buy some purpose made tire lube. Don't try to make due with something, and do NOT use dish soap and water, as that stuff can, and will, eat at the tire. It's designed to attack grease (oil), and tires are a petroleum product. I've seen a few nasty looking tires that had gooey, melty rubber from dish soap.
+Not shown, above, is the valve core tool. I like 11" tire irons personally, as they're just long enough to forgive sloppy technique, but not long enough to give enough leverage to Easily bend a rim. Note, I do NOT use tire lube of any sort as I don't find it necessary. But, it does make the task a bit easier... so if you're going that route, buy some purpose made tire lube. Don't try to make due with something, and '''DO NOT''' use dish soap and water, as that stuff can, and will, eat at the tire. It's designed to attack grease (oil), and tires are a petroleum product. I've seen a few nasty looking tires that had gooey, melty rubber from dish soap.
+Dish soap is also not kind to your wheels. After a few years, it has eaten away the rim on this one to the point that it will no longer hold air.
+[[Image:dishsoap.jpg|150px]]
 The first thing you want to do is remove the core from the valve stem, letting all the air out. Next, lay the rim on 2 pieces of 2x4, which acts as a cushion from the floor, and keeps the brake rotor from touching anything.