How to Use a Tire Machine: a Step by Step Guide

Whether you’re swapping wheels and tires, replacing worn-out rubber, or completing repairs, mounting and dismounting tires with a tire machine can save you time and energy. Although tire machines make quick work of separating wheels and tires, using them properly and safely requires understanding the process from start to finish. The guide below includes step-by-step instructions on how to use a tire machine to mount and dismount tires and safety tips you can incorporate to ensure a smooth process. 

Safety Tips When Using a Tire Machine 

Tire machines can have many moving parts, depending on which model you choose. With that said, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind: 

• Wear safety glasses and mechanic’s gloves when using the tire machine. 
• Mind your fingers and any loose clothing on sharp edges and moving parts. 
• Never substitute soapy water or grease for tire lubricant.
• Keep an eye out for tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors, which can be expensive to replace. 
• Reverse-mount wheels require a different mounting process (i.e., reverse), so be aware of this if you’re asked to swap or mount tires on this type of wheel. 

If you’re unsure how to use the tire machine, practice with a battered wheel and worn tire for practice to avoid scratching or damaging a customer’s property. 

How to Use a Tire Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

Regardless of manufacturer, tire machines all perform the same function. However, nuances vary between them enough that it’s worth reviewing the owner’s manual and any safety information before using one. 

Dismounting Tires With a Tire Machine

Chances are you’ll probably remove a tire from a wheel before replacing or repairing it. The steps below guide you in dismounting a tire from a wheel using a tire machine: 

1. Before breaking the tire bead to separate the tire and wheel, you must reduce the pressure within the tire. Do so by removing the valve stem core and setting it aside for now. 
2. Place the tire upright on the tread with the valve sticking upward. Move it near the bead breaker on the tire machine and position it to contact the tire as close to the rim as possible without causing any damage. 
3. Press the pedal to activate the bead breaker arm, which swings in and compresses the tire against the body of the tire machine, breaking the bead and pushing the inner part of the tire closer to the center of the wheel. 
4. Release the pedal to free the tire, and repeat this process opposite the same side of the tire. Turn the tire to the opposite face and repeat twice more to break the tire bead fully. 
5. Next, place the tire and rim on the center of the tire machine, ensuring the face of the wheel is directed upward. (If you are working with reverse mount wheels, the opposite will be true.) Activate the splines in the middle of the tire machine to press outward toward the edges of the wheel and firmly lock it in place. 
6. Lock the mounting/demounting head near the edge of the rim and lock it. Place the lever bar between the head and the tire, ensuring the lever doesn’t contact the rim’s edge and bend it. 
7. As you slowly turn the tire machine, use the lever to separate the tire from the wheel. Move in small sections, stopping in between to ensure you’re not ripping the rubber or damaging the wheel. Once you’ve fully dismounted the tire, it should pop free of the wheel. Repeat the same process for the underside. 
8. Unlock the mounting/demounting head and remove the tire and wheel from the machine. 

All said and done, dismounting a tire shouldn’t take more than 10 to 20 minutes. As you mount and dismount tires, the process should come as second nature.

Mounting Tires With a Tire Machine 

Mounting a tire mirrors the demounting process in reverse. Here are the basic steps involved in mounting a tire using a tire machine: 

1. Place the wheel on the tire machine and press the pedal down to lock it in place. 
2. If it’s not already out of the wheel, remove the valve stem with a valve stem remover tool. This step is critical, as replacing the valve stem at a specific time in a later step allows you to properly and safely seat the bead. 
3. Lube the edge of the rim and the tire bead to promote movement in the following steps. 
4. Set the tire onto the rim at an angle. Bring the mounting/dismounting head over the wheel and tire and lock it in place. Space the head away from the rim’s edge to ensure it doesn’t ride the rim and cause damage. 
5. Slant the tire’s lower bead on top of the mounting/dismounting head in the rear and slowly rotate the machine until the tire drops onto the wheel and covers the mounting/dismounting head equally. 
6. Repeat the process on the top side, with the tire slanted over the far edge of the mounting/dismounting head. Lightly push down on the sidewall of the tire nearest you as you turn the machine, curling your fingers toward your palm to prevent anything from sticking between the wheel and the tire. Stop the machine once the tire has passed the rim’s lip by about a half. 
7. Press down on the sidewall nearest you once more to seat the tire further toward the center of the wheel. This movement allows give on the other side of the tire without tearing the bead. Rotate the machine further until the tire pops on. 
8. Now it’s time to air up the tire to seat the bead, which you can do with an air hose connected to the valve stem. As you air the tire, the bead should seat (top and bottom) with an audible pop. 
9. Replace the valve stem and air the tire to the recommended pressure rating. 

In the process of mounting and dismounting tires, you may find you’re better at one or the other. Just remember to avoid damaging the wheel or tire. Slowly work up to a faster pace and you’ll be changing wheels and tires without a second thought.  

Exchange Wheels and Tires Efficiently With a Tire Machine 

A tire machine in the shop can save a lot of manhours and manpower, especially for larger vehicles. It’s a valuable tool that continuously delivers a return on investment, similar to the Identifix suite of products. Identifix offers efficient, seamless solutions for diagnostics and repair, such as the Identifix Shop Manager auto repair shop software. Shop owners can also choose from several product bundles, including digital marketing, technician training, and merchant services, to enhance their productivity, engage technicians, and improve customer satisfaction.

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