
Mounting tires can be a pretty pricy service so it’s no wonder why you might want to do it yourself. But for most people, it’s something that’s just too difficult and that they’d prefer to just get it done at the shop. But if you’d rather keep your dollars in your wallet, and save yourself time waiting, here’s how to mount tires at home.
Even if you don’t have a machine, all you need to mount tires yourself is a basic set of tools that most people have. All you need is a jack, a lug wrench, a torque wrench, a set of tire irons, a bead breaker, a valve stem tool and a can of WD-40.
How to Mount Tires at home
Mounting a tire is the process of attaching a tire to a wheel. The most common way to mount a tire is by using a machine at a service station or garage. However, it is possible to mount tires at home with some basic tools and knowledge.
- DRIVES OUT MOISTURE
- PROTECTS AGAINST RUST AND CORROSION
- REMOVES GREASE, GRIME, GUNK, GUM, TAR AND MORE
- FREES AND LUBRICATES MOVING PARTS SUCH AS HINGES, WHEELS, CHAINS AND MORE
- SAFE TO USE ON METAL, PLASTIC, PAINTWORK
There are three main methods for mounting tires: bead seating, cold mounting, and hot mounting.
Bead seating is the most common method and is done by using a machine to push the tire onto the wheel.
Cold mounting is done by using a special adhesive to attach the tire to the wheel.
Hot mounting is done by using a machine to heat up the tire and then attaching it to the wheel.
Why would you want to mount a tire yourself at home?
There are a few reasons why you might want to mount a tire yourself at home. The most common reason is to save money. Mounting a tire yourself can be cheaper than taking it to a service station or garage.
Another reason why you might want to mount a tire yourself is for convenience. If you have all the necessary tools and knowledge, you can mount a tire in a short amount of time.
Lastly, some people enjoy the challenge of mounting a tire themselves. It’s a great way to feel a little bit more self sufficient in a world where it feels everything is done for you.
What does it cost to mount a tire at the shop?
The cost of mounting a tire can vary depending on the type of tire, the size of the tire, and where you take it to be mounted. On average, it usually costs between $15 and $30 per tire to have a tire mounted.
What do you need to mount a tire at home?
To mount a tire at home, you will need:
- A jack to lift the car
- A lug wrench to remove the wheel
- A torque wrench to tight the lug nuts
- A set of tire irons to remove the old tire
- A bead breaker to break the bead of the new tire
- A valve stem tool to install the new valve stem
- A can of WD-40 to lubricate the bead
How do you mount a tire at home?
Note: Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools and knowledge. Mounting a tire can be dangerous if done incorrectly.
Setting up
- Park your car on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
- Place a jack under the frame of your car and lift it up until the tire is off the ground.
- Use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts from the wheel.
- Place the wheel on a flat surface and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the recommended torque spec.
- If the wheel has a hubcap, remove it by prying it off with a screwdriver or by using a hubcap removal tool.
- Loosen the valve stem cap and deflate the tire.
- Use a bead breaker to break the bead of the tire.
- Insert the tire irons into the gap between the wheel and the tire.
- Work your way around the tire, prying it off of the wheel.
- Once the tire is removed from the wheel, inspect it for any damage.
- If everything looks good, you can proceed to mounting the new tire.
How to mount tires at home
- Start by lubricating the inside of the tire with WD-40 or a similar product.
- Next, insert one side of the tire onto the wheel and then use your hands to work it over the rim until it’s seated all the way around. Repeat this process for the other side of the tire.
- Re-inflate the tire to the recommended pressure and then replace the valve stem cap.
- Install the wheel onto the car and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench.
- Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack.
- Test drive the car to make sure everything is working properly. If everything feels good, you’ve successfully mounted a tire! If not,
Things to avoid when mounting a tire
Here are some things you need to keep in mind when mounting tires at home that could cause issues for your tires (or yourself) and should be avoided.
- Avoid over-tightening the lug nuts. This can damage the wheel and make it difficult to remove in the future.
- Avoid using an impact wrench to tighten the lug nuts. This can also damage the wheel.
- Avoid inflating the tire too much. This can cause the tire to explode and injure you.
- Avoid mounting a tire on a damaged wheel. This can cause the tire to come off while you’re driving and lead to an accident.
- Avoid using tires that are too small or too big for your car. This can cause handling problems and make the car more difficult to control.
- Avoid mounting tires without the proper tools and knowledge. This can be dangerous and lead to injury.
What to do now
If you’re looking to save some money and are excited about the idea of the challenge of getting your hands dirty, then you can absolutely mount tires at home yourself. Just make sure to follow the guide above and always stay safe.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will do our best to get back to you. Thanks for reading!