VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Do I Need A Rim Collapsing Tool?

I have a 1927 Chevy and I am trying to mount my new tires on the rims but having a hard time trying to expand the rim back in position. Do I need to use a special tool? My repair manual only mentions a collapsing tool for truck rims.

I also herd that it should be left to a professional to mount the tire on the rim as it can be very dangerous. There is always a danger of any tire bursting but is the danger level higher with these tires because there is a split in the ring?

Aldo D

You need a three leg spreader. To attempt to mount the tires without this tool is just inviting damage to your rims. These tools appear on eBay quite regular and at a reasonable price.

Do NOT beat on your rims with a hammer. You will just ruin the junction point for the rims.

Hi AldoD,

Yes as mentioned, idealy you need a rim spreader, which I have just purchased but not used yet. When I fitted both my sets of tyres, The only thing I could think to adapt at the time was a couple of blocks of wood, and a hydraulic bottle jack.

Cheers

Ray

guys
anyone got pics of how this spreader works, in action stuff
Ken

no pics…. but it's use is pretty straight forward, I used to do this opperation down on the garage floor, but now I like to use a table or work bench.....rim tool has three legs, 2 legs move, it has hooks to collapse the rim, and it has hooks to spread the rim, I usually place the main leg about 6 inches from the rim break and rim hook, evenly spread the two movable legs with the collapse hooks engaged, pull the rim locking cotter key and crank the handle to collapse the rim just enough to remove the tire, tube and flap, use a tire tool to remove the beads and the tire from the rim. after the replacement tire, tube and flap are ready to mount.... place the collapsed rim inside the tire, engage the tire beads properly on the collapsed rim, watch for a pinched flap, rim still attached to the rim tool...now, remove the rim tool and then engage the expanding hooks and carefully expand the rim to engage the rim lock loop, install the new cotter key and check out to be sure everything is okie doakie and valve stem is centered in the valve stem hole and then carefully air up the tire. Pretty simple, but I've been doing this little procedure since I was 11 or 12 years old. I did it for a long time without using a rim spreader, just tire tools and a rubber hammer....it is easier and better with a rim expander tool. Some times a foreign made replacement tire is a bit off on size and causes a problem. Don't take chances, be sure the rim is locked and the tire fits the rim.

By the way, it has been a year or two since I mounted tires on my 28, and I wrote this from my memory! Do you know how a 73 year old's memory plays tricks?
PROCEDE WITH CAUTION!.......... right PUSHROD and CHIPPER?

Here are picture of a rim spreader tool in action.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Good picture,
Actually to collapse the rim I would have the straight leg about 6 inches to the right of the lower rim latch, the one that must collapse in towards the center of the rim to remove the tire and also to expand the rim back to operating position...... Is there a reason the rim spreader is set on the rim like it is in the picture? Isn't the rim over expanded?

Thanks everyone for your help. Unfortunately I already used a hammer on my rim before I read this post. I am not sure what the ramifications of this will be on the end result.

I will need to purchase a rim spreader for the job. I tried using a bottle jack with no luck. It is very aggravating when a seemingly simple task is making me pull my hair out.