Tom Berge's Tire Removal Contraption

So, it’s time to replace your tires. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? First, let the air out. Very important! Second, loosen the three bolts holding the wheel halves together. Then take out the bolts and set the brake disc aside. Third, pull the wheel halves away from the tire…….wait a minute. This part just took all the fun out of a simple process. The darn tires are stuck to the wheels. Seems nothing will pry them free without damaging the wheel halves. Put the hammer and pry bar, a.k.a. screw driver away.

After years of struggling with the dreaded tire removal job, I finally decided that a simple, cheap solution could be had. I know there are tools you can buy to do the task, but why spend lots of money for something that is done so infrequently? So here goes.

One 5/8 threaded rod / 12” - $3.29
Two 5/8 fender washers - $.45 each
Two 5/8 nuts - $.45 each
24” 2 x 4 – Free in most workshops
30” 1 x 4 – Free in most workshops
Couple of adjustable wrenches – Better be in your workshop already!

1. Cut the 2 x 4 to about 10 inches and drill a ¾ inch hole in the middle. Need two.

2. Cut the 1 x 4 to about 7 or 8 inches long and cut a curve on the side a bit bigger than the wheel. I used the hub cap that came with the wheel kit as a template. Need four.

3. Attach one 1 x 4 to each end of the 2 x 4 using 2” screws with the curved edges facing each other and spaced a bit wider than the wheel.

4. Put one 2 x 4 on each side of the tire, being careful to center the wheel inside the curves.

5. Put a nut and washer on one end of the threaded rod, slide it through the 2 x 4’s and put a washer and nut on the other end.

6. Tighten the nuts, keeping the wheel centered

Popping the tire off without all the fuss, Priceless!

I timed myself starting with the removal of the valve stem and had the wheel halves off in 6 ½ minutes. Not bad for about $6 in parts and a half an hour of planning/construction.