VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Changing tires on 29 chevy split rim wheels

I'm putting new tires on my 29. I noticed that grandpa had placed a Hercules tool c on the wall in the old barn and somehow felt that it was for the 29 as none of the other cars he had were outfitted with the split rims. Is there anyone out there who has used this tool or other tools to collapse and expand these wheels and if so could I get your feedback and guidance in using such tools?

I have never done this myself, but several others have. Chistech (Ted) certainly has at least on my 1929 :)

I have 2 Instruction from Manufactures and 2 articles/ directions that i have collected i can pass along on HOW to do it. I scanned them in and posted them below for anyone interested.

Hercules Rim Tool

Universal Rim Tool

Franklin Service Station pg1
Franklin Service Station pg2

The Forgotten Chevy Article pg1
The Forgotten Chevy Article pg2

Terry,
I recently did this myself with a Hercules C, mounted 4 tires. I wouldn't say it's the absolute easiest thing I've ever done, but it wasn't the hardest either.
Watching the youtube video you will get the idea of what's going on, that's really the only direction I had. There is a video of a guy mounting a tire to a split rim for a model A, I thought that was the most helpful one. He wasn't using the 3 pronged tool, he used something else to pull the rim in, but I thought his video was better and explained more.
Be sure and use the powder liberally, it will make things move around easier.
With the tool, put the 2 prong end opposite the split in the rim, be sure not to crank it down too far, but get it down enough to where it collapses some. Then use a pry bar to help get the tire over the rim. If you are able to slide the tire on the rim without the use of pry bar you are probably pulling it in too far. I've heard of people having to trash their rims because they collapsed it too much.
Just take your time and you should be fine. My son and I did ours and an additional helper makes it easier. Good luck.

There is a really good article on this subject in the Members Only/Vehicle Technical Info web page: 28Tirechangeinfo.pdf.

It was scanned from a G&D article many years ago.

Cheers, Dean

Hi Guys,
I have an extra split rim with the clamp/lock missing. I was thinking of welding the rim closed and fitting it on the disc with the Jaxon clamps.
Any comments.

Chris, I think it would be near impossible to get a tire on and off a rim that was welded in the open/clamped position.

My suggestion would be salvage a clamp off a rim that was rusted or broken (unusable) and put the clamp on your good rim.

Maybe someone in the club has one of these relics laying in the ground in the back yard and can cut off the section with the clamp and mail it to you.

Cheers, Dean

The rims need to be collapsed to get the tire on. They are not drop center.

TKS Gents,
Much appreciated. I didnt think of the drop centres.
Complements of the season.

Thanks for all the replys. I did further research and found the above mentioned articles. I have placed the tool on the rim and used it. That is a fantastic tool for this purpose! Thanks again and Merry Christmas to all.