Just to make sure, you did put some kind of lube on the tire's bead, right?
I’m struggling getting the tire over the rim to get started. I’m trying to install new Cooper 37x 13.5 x 17 STT Pros onto new KMC 232 17 x 9 wheels. Can’t even get to first base. I’ve tried Eddie’s method of jumping/standing on the wheel to get it to go down inside the tire. Doesn’t look like it’s close to going in. I’ve tried Mel’s method of slamming the wheel in, I need about 20 more years of experience for that to work. Even tried putting the wheel on the ground and jumping on the tire on all fours, (glad there were no cameras). It’s hard to admit but I’m getting too old for these methods. Has anybody come up with a way to use a jack or high lift to gently force the tire over the wheel? I don’t have the guy from the JLX video to help.
I’ve beat on it for a few hours now and no joy. It’s time for age and guile to win the day. Any ideas?
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Just to make sure, you did put some kind of lube on the tire's bead, right?
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I’ve done pretty much all the work on my Jeep, including axle gear changes. But mounting and balancing tires on bead locks was something I happily paid a shop to do.
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Yes, I used Mel’s concoction of Simple green and water. 50/50 or so.
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Is the rock ring off?
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Lube it up and throw it in, just make sure your putting the side the ring mounts to in first.
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These Coopers are son of a bitch to get over the first bead. They're nothing like Mels video showing him basically throwing them onto the wheel. Those were Nitto Trail Graps and they must have softer sidewalls than the Coops. You're probably doing everything correctly, just that the sidewalls on these are really stiff and the beads are pretty unforgiving. They'll go, just have to keep after it.
Once you get them onto the wheels, make sure that the rings seat fully onto the wheel. There shouldn't be any gap. You'll swear that they'll never ever seat, but you have to keep chasing the bolts in a circle with your torque wrench til they do. Make sure you spray that lube liberally onto the beads where the tire is clamped to the wheel - it'll help squeezing the two together.