Beadlocks! getting tires on and off

[Decay]

So, I recently bought a set of 18 x 11 Forgestar D5 beadlocks and installed Mickey thompson street et r drag radials.
There was a definite learning curve.
I used Dawn and hot water to lube the beads prior to installation and I think there has to be a better lubricant for this.
Tire slipped on okay but it was too cold (40 degrees) out in the shop to get the ring on so I had to bring it in the house to warm up.
Wife wasn't thrilled.
But, I was able to get the ring on by putting my knees on the tire and pushing the bead down once it warmed up.
I would have liked to have a tire shop do this but the shops around here will not touch beadlocks.
Once I got it all put together(with the help of youtube) I found the tires are going to be too short(26"s tall with a circumference of 84") and decided to get a little taller tire.
The tires I bought are Mickey Thompson street et R's 325/35R18 were supposed to be 27's tall but turn out to be 26's tall.So I decided to get the taller tires,305/45R18 and return the other tires.
Getting the tires off the wheels at home proved to be a challenge.
I ended up having to use a forklift to break the bead and a strap and a hoist to pull the tire off the wheel.
I used the forks on the lift with a load on them to push the bead off the rim.
Anyway, without tire shop equipment this is a challenge!
I need to get some good bead lube that evaporates.
I hope this info helps.
.

 

[Marc W]

The reason you’re having some difficulty is because you are working with a 18” wheel. I actually didn’t even know they made a 18” bead lock.
The sidewall on the tire us going to be short and stiff compared to a smaller diameter wheel where you have a lot more tire sidewall to work with. I can push the tire onto my 15x10 wheel without any any work at all. A little Windex and it slips right on. As far as breaking the inner bead when it’s time to remove the tire..... a tire shop shouldn’t have any issue with doing that for you if you take it in deflated and the ring off. They won’t have any liability concerns with removing a tire.

 

[Decay]

The reason you’re having some difficulty is because you are working with a 18” wheel. I actually didn’t even know they made a 18” bead lock.
The sidewall on the tire us going to be short and stiff compared to a smaller diameter wheel where you have a lot more tire sidewall to work with. I can push the tire onto my 15x10 wheel without any any work at all. A little Windex and it slips right on. As far as breaking the inner bead when it’s time to remove the tire..... a tire shop shouldn’t have any issue with doing that for you if you take it in deflated and the ring off. They won’t have any liability concerns with removing a tire.

With the big brakes on the wide body that was all I could get(18x 11) the local tire shop won't touch beadlocks.
Plus, they are busy as hell with everyone all spun up about the weather so I just did it myself.

 

[Decay]

Any suggestions on lube??
Does windex dry up and not cause moisture issues?

 

[Marc W]

Yes. It basically just evaporates and disappears. It’s surprisingly slippery on rubber.

 

[Decay]

Yes. It basically just evaporates and disappears. It’s surprisingly slippery on rubber.

Copy that and thanks!!

 

[TNREDEYE]

Money well spent to break beads:

https://timmcamis.com/shop/tire-bead-breaker.html

 

[FFBOS]

Can always buy a cheap $40 bead breaker from harbor freight. That is how I got the old tires off my 17's. Luckily I found a local shop that mounts them and will go there from now on. I could not for the life of me get my 315/50/17 to mount. Bead wouldn't seat on the beadlock area.

 

[Decay]

Money well spent to break beads:

https://timmcamis.com/shop/tire-bead-breaker.html

This looks a lot more sanitary than the method I used.