VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Rim Tool

Can someone explain how to use the rim tool for split rims? I thought that I was mechanically inclined but this is throwing me for a loop! The tool is in excellant shape, but when cranking the rim closed to mount the rim inside of the tire, it wants to stay on one side, it wont center inside of the tire unless I use a hammer(which I would'nt dare to). Any suggestions? I'm putting the bottom part of the tool(2 hooks) on either side of the split.

Last time I did one was a while back, but here goes. I put the top hook about 6 inches to one side of the split and the other two spaced evenly on the other side of the rim. Gently pull one side of the split inward just a couple inches and use a tire tool to take the tire off. Now there is one side of the split to put the top hook that makes it easier to do but I can't think of it right now, Just slow down a take a good look at it and don't pull the rim in too far or it will bend and get a twist, Not good in that case.

I gather that you are re-assembling the rim/tyre. As Bob says you put the top hook to one side of the split and the other two spread on the other side of the rim. I would place the top hook closer to the split. It is obvious which side of the split you push because there is a two piece connector on the rim and one side has to come down on the other so you can put in a split/cotter pin. As the rim starts to close you may have to help it a little by levering it into place with a stout screwdriver. Do not hit anything. It will make the rim tool fly off across the shed. If the two sides of the split refuse to line up it can only be that the rim has a bad twist in it.
I do this too often of late. Takes me about three minutes to strip and about five to reassemble. Be careful with the valve stem. It needs to be vertical when the assembly is complete so you often need to jiggle the tube so that before you put the air in it will not lean over and ultimately tear the valve stem. Hope this helps.

Bob/Terry thanks for the helpful tips, I will try it later today. The rim is in good shape so I shouldn't have too much more problems. Hopefully..will let you know!

Guys and Gals

here ya go
[img]http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/141052.html?1274013499[/img]

the chevy tool is different i thought

I have seen several of these rim tools and have never seen one with a Chevrolet brand or logo, nor a Ford logo or brand on one.

I like to work the tool on a table or workbench that is high enough to be easy to work the tool and to keep the tire flat on the surface of the table, I am too old and fat to enjoy working on anything flat on the floor!....well most things.....

I have one that came with our 1928 Sedan and it is the same functionaly and almost idenitical in appearance to the one pictured, with a couple of minor differences. I think that the link shown and the pictures and instructions for "The Universal Rim Tool" will work just fine for your Chevrolet split rims.

The split rims may in themselves be "A Universal Rim" I have seen a couple of variations in the latching device on rims used on Chevrolets for the years that a Detachable Rim for ballon tires were used on Chevrolets.

Now I am sure that a couple or three VCCA members that frequent this forum can give more information about the Detachable Rim system.

I remember fixing flats and remounting them on a couple of old Chevrolet cars driven by "old timers" when I was a teenager in the 50s. We never had a rim tool and used tire tools and pry bars to fix them, the same tools we used on drop center rims of 16 and 15 inch varieties. I really hated to break the bead and fix a tire mounted on a Mopar "Safety Rim" specially one on my dads 1948 DeSoto.

Thanks to this thread I learned how to mount a tire last night.
Having no knowledge, or experience using the rim tool, I read the instructions posted by Ken and tried it. My rim tool is a Hercules, but identical to the photos. At our monthly club garage night it was show and tell, so I brought a tire, tube, flap, rim and the rim tool. With a little encouragement from fellow VCCA members it was a fairly simple procedure and I believe I can finish up the rest of my mounting with ease.

Roger

Mr Mack,

For your interest I have e-mailed you photos of four designs of rim latches I have come across recently on 27/28 rims. I have no way of posting these, but you are welcome to post them if you think they might be of general interest.

franco

Thanks, franko, I will see what I can do....

Pics from franko of a Jiffy rim tool and some rim latches

jiffy rim tool....