seating a bead

[bueller]

Used the ole ether trick to seat a bead on a new trailer tire today. For those that don't know; fit tire on rim, remove valve core, spray ether (starting fluid, carb cleaner, etc.) around inside of rim, spray trail of ether from tire/rim, drop match on ether trail and watch the magic. Sometimes you may need add air and/or kick the tire a little while the fire is going to get it to seat. Once it seats immediately get air flowing in or the vacuum created inside will pull the bead right back off. Start slow as too much ether will cause the tire to literally jump right off the ground. I always try to seat the bead with a ratchet strap and air before resorting to the ether trick. Stay safe.

 

[tooln]

An air cannon is a lot safer. But not many people have one.

 

[Bill]

Regular air compressor and a rachet strap seems safer to me :)

 

[West Branch]

We have done this when out in the field and it worked well. One time my brother used too much ether and had is foot in the wrong spot and a flame shot up his pant leg. Lost a lot of leg hair!

 

[bueller]

Regular air compressor and a rachet strap seems safer to me :)

Doesn't always work, especially when the tire is new and has never been mounted on a rim.

 

[wiscwhip]

Besides that, the ether is way more exciting!:eek: