Tire mounting problem.

[Mark Parks]

I had some new tires mounted on my 86 GN on the stock wheels. They said they had to mount them from the back side as they would not mount from the front. They said the rim was to big for the tire. The claws that hold the wheel down gouged the chrome!!!
My question,can the tires be mounted from the front??

 

[liv4gnz]

i have mounted some ricer or low profile tires this way

it all depends on the lip inside of the rim.

my machine can grab inside out normally or open all the way with the rim upside down and grab the edges of it and pull togather to take the tire off from the back,,

depending on how the rim is shaped on the inside, you might have to take it out that way.

if he scratches the rim that way his machine is too old and made for steelies or the tips that grab the rim are worn out.

but the stock grand national wheels you should be able to mount them like a normal wheel no different than anythign else from the front

 

[Just a Six??]

On an 87 T Type wheel they mount from the front & I've had some pretty beefy tires on them over the years. Doesnt sound right? Maybe he has a Old Machine???

 

[Dino1]

These rims have a reverse offset, and it takes a special machine to mount them. Take them to a Goodyear or Firestone store. I had mine done at Sears, They mounted 265/50/15 on my rims about as wide as you can go on the stock wheel.

 

[garyk1970]

gn wheels are reverse wheels.....have to mount wheels on machine upside down and grab the wheels from the outside.....

if they cant figure this out ....RUN......and find another tire store.....

 

[38turbo]

i had a set of 255 60 15 mounted on my stock wheels a couple weeks ago the f*$#in guy at ntb actuall had the rim between the 2 beads of the tire . the rim was actually inside of the tire.. after an 1/2 hour prying the rim out of the tire with taped up pry bars and 2 free tires i was out the door . only go to tire shops with experienced tiremen please !!!!!

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

To tell the truth, the only way to mount tires on alloy rims is by foot. After having too many rims and tires ruined by tire-jockey's I now do them myself.

Yes, it is a bit of work. But you wont ever have gouges in the lips of the rims, or torn beads, or... whatever damage.

By foot I mean that I walk them on with my feet. Put on a pair of sneakers, then a moving quilt or heavy towel on the driveway, some lube/sealant on the bead, and walk them on.

This isn't easy to describe (I need to get a picture or two), there is a "drop center" on the rim. Take a bare rim and set it upright in the same position as if it was on a car.

Then look at it directly from the front or back (as if it were on the car). Note how there is a section of the rim between the tire bead area that is smaller in diameter. That is the drop center.

Once the tire is over a portion of the rim, place the tire bead into this drop center. The effectively makes the rim smaller in diameter and allows the other portion of the bead to easily drop over the rim.

Then walk around the tire bead pushing it over the rim. Once one bead is on the do the other tire bead from that same side. It is best to push the tire on from the side of the rim that is closest to the drop center.

After they are mounted and inflated I put a few miles on them (25 - 50). Obviously around town since they aren't balanced yet. Then pull the rim/tires off the car and take them to someone trusted to balance them. Back on the car & good to go.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[yullose]

I have a Coats 40-40 machine in my garage and I have to flip the GN wheels to mount tires... They are a PITA.

 

[8UWITH6]

Oh my god. Some idiot clamped the front inside part of your GN wheel? Drive back up there now and drop kick the SOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, its a reverse mount! Clamp the wheel from the outside lip! Not the inside!

Wow, Im speechless now............... cant believe the stupidity!

 

[JC'sGN]

gn wheels are reverse wheels.....have to mount wheels on machine upside down and grab the wheels from the outside.....

if they cant figure this out ....RUN......and find another tire store.....

This is exactly right, even GM stores have ruined tires trying to mount them on GN steel wheels. Almost every stock wheel you see has bite marks on the hoop from not being grabbed from the outside...