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I changed the tires on my 850L over the last week, along with some other maintenance items. I replaced the rear tire first with two tire spoons from harbor freight. Breaking the bead was the hardest part. I tried the floor jack method, a hammer and large blunt punch, and finally a few C-Clamps. Needless to say, it was a pain and took way too long to do. I searched the internet for more ideas and couldn't find anything that I would be able to purchase or make in a short amount of time, so I started thinking....
The C-Clamp worked the best, but it's hard to turn by hand and the clamp surface area on the tire isn't large enough to break the bead efficiently. Also, the 6" clamp was a bit small for the rear. Ok, these three issues are something I think I can solve relatively easily, so I got to work.
First I went to Harbor Freight and bought a large 8" c-clamp for ~$7 and some change. Then I went to Home Depot and bought a 3' piece of 1/2" square tubing for ~$5, then headed home. I marked 4 lines each an inch apart on the square tubing and put it in the vice at each line, bending the tubing slightly. Once I reached the last line, I cut the 4" section off and repeated these steps to make a second curved piece. I did the best I could to match the radius of the rim.
Next I tack welded the two curved pieces to the C-clamp, one on the frame portion and the other on the threaded portion. Ok, I solved the small clamping footprint issue with the two "shoes." But how do I make this easier to turn, rather than doing it by hand?
Then I had another idea, why not use a drill or impact to turn the C-Clamp? So I tack welded the sliding handle centered in place so that it won't slide back and forth, then took an extra 3/8 drive socket I had and slotted it so that it would fit over the end of the handle. Now all I have to do is use my 3/8 drive adapter in my drill and it should work.
I had some time to change the front tire today so I built the tool in about an hour and tested it on the front tire. It worked GREAT! I'm pleased with the outcome. I've made many things before, but rarely do they work as intended, especially on the first attempt!
Here's a link to a picture of the finished product. Please excuse the horrific "welds." I can't weld, but I occasionally get lucky and can get two pieces of metal stick together. It didn't help that the frame of the clamp is cast iron and the tubing is steel. That further complicates things, but the welds didn't break which I was expecting them too, so I'm happy with it. Hopefully itll make the next tire change job more enjoyable.
Just thought I'd share my small moment of success with you guys, and maybe help someone else who's got the ability to make one for themselves.
The C-Clamp worked the best, but it's hard to turn by hand and the clamp surface area on the tire isn't large enough to break the bead efficiently. Also, the 6" clamp was a bit small for the rear. Ok, these three issues are something I think I can solve relatively easily, so I got to work.
First I went to Harbor Freight and bought a large 8" c-clamp for ~$7 and some change. Then I went to Home Depot and bought a 3' piece of 1/2" square tubing for ~$5, then headed home. I marked 4 lines each an inch apart on the square tubing and put it in the vice at each line, bending the tubing slightly. Once I reached the last line, I cut the 4" section off and repeated these steps to make a second curved piece. I did the best I could to match the radius of the rim.
Next I tack welded the two curved pieces to the C-clamp, one on the frame portion and the other on the threaded portion. Ok, I solved the small clamping footprint issue with the two "shoes." But how do I make this easier to turn, rather than doing it by hand?
Then I had another idea, why not use a drill or impact to turn the C-Clamp? So I tack welded the sliding handle centered in place so that it won't slide back and forth, then took an extra 3/8 drive socket I had and slotted it so that it would fit over the end of the handle. Now all I have to do is use my 3/8 drive adapter in my drill and it should work.
I had some time to change the front tire today so I built the tool in about an hour and tested it on the front tire. It worked GREAT! I'm pleased with the outcome. I've made many things before, but rarely do they work as intended, especially on the first attempt!
Here's a link to a picture of the finished product. Please excuse the horrific "welds." I can't weld, but I occasionally get lucky and can get two pieces of metal stick together. It didn't help that the frame of the clamp is cast iron and the tubing is steel. That further complicates things, but the welds didn't break which I was expecting them too, so I'm happy with it. Hopefully itll make the next tire change job more enjoyable.
Just thought I'd share my small moment of success with you guys, and maybe help someone else who's got the ability to make one for themselves.
But, the rim's weren't in the best shape to begin with, so I'll survive.
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