To slime or not to slime

[thumbs]

Hey I can't find the leak in the rear tire of my Big Red. I use it mostly in the woods. I thought about puttin a tube in it but then thought about slimein the inside. What is the thinkin of the forum? If I slime it I figured if I get another puncture it would seal itself.

Never used this stuff. Is it anygood? Does it screw up you rim if you change tires? Watcha think?

[Dan Tenn]

I use in all my atv's, but do it when they are new as a preventative measure. I have not had a flat since using it. I would find the leak with some soapy water, then patch it and go with slime or a tube.

[TheOlderFox]

I have used both tubes and the slime. I would say that the slime is no good if you ever take the tire off the rim, that is a mess waiting to happen. The slime will also not work so well if the hole is in the side of the tire. I would say put a tube in it. You know the tube will work the first time, the slime may not if it never reaches the leak. If you ever get a leak in the tube, that is easy enough to patch. All you have to do is break one bead to install or remove a tube. Of course this is all my personal opinion.

[thefox]

I like to use tubes in my tires. I only use tire slime if i am in a pinch. The tubes are not as easy but they work and you can take them out if they get a hole and patch them. Once you slime a tire there is no turning back, it is a pain trying to clean the inside of a tire.

-Andrew

['86X]

I have had good luck with it so far. Yo need to take it for a ride right after you air it up after adding the slime. It does make a mess if you ever dismount the tire, though. Also it is much faster and easier at about the same cost.

[thumbs]

How hard is it to break the bead of these tires? What will I need to get the tire off the rim. The shop wants 20 bucks to take the thing off and 14 bucks for a tube. Not worth it to me. I can slime both tires for 14 bucks. This is a working machine for hunting. I just want it to work.

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

i would highly reccomend slime if you are low on cash, slime has saved me walking many miles home a few times.......once i had a nail go through my front tire, the store wasnt far away, loaded some slime in the tire, pumped it up and rolled it for awhile, pumped it up again, and she held perfectly, it would probly still be holding to this day if i didnt get a new tire

[TheOlderFox]

To break the bead all you need is a flat pry bar or two and patience. Just work your way around the tire. It may not seem like you are getting anywhere and then all the sudden the tire will move. It can just take a little bit of time until you learn the technique. Some WD-40 around the bead will also help. Just don't try to horse the tire off in one motion, and of course it is best to break the bead on the side that the valve stem goes through.

[thumbs]

I'm gonna try the slime now. After season is over if it still leaks I'll look into a tube. I'm gonna check Harbor Freight and see what they want for a bead braker. I'll bet it won't be much more than the labor to put two tubes in the rear tires.

[TheOlderFox]

Either harbor freight or northern tools has a tire changing kit that I have used many times. It works, but you are going to bend it many times over, it is cheap metal. I think it was aroudn 40-50 bucks. Look into that.

[TheOlderFox]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTESearch?storeId=6970&catalogId=4006970&langId=-1&PHOTOS=on&KEYWORDS=tire+change&kw_fmt=tire+chang e

Found it

[thumbs]

Fox

Take a look at this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34542

I think this is the same one that northern has for 65 bucks for 35!!!

Is it worth it or just a pain? Also does it have to be mounted to t he
floor or is it useable the way it is? It would be great if I could use it without mounting it to the floor. Easier to store and pull out and use. At 35 bucks it's cheaper than one time havein the shop change the rear tires.

Are they a pos or are they something that works pretty well? Did you have to weld a brace or two to make it stronger or is it ok the way it is?

Is this the way to go or would tire irons do just as well or better?

I'm really thinkin about this thing dependin on your reply.


Thanks for the help

Gary

[TheOlderFox]

I have done tire irons and the tire changer that I have used works quicker. I just bent the metal arm or center post becuase I use it on some stiff tires. I end up having to straighten it out and keep using it. Really it isn't too bad. When I bend the center post, I just try the tire on the other side and bend it back. I think the cheaper Northern one is made out of chinese metal...... but I still think it is worth it if you plan to do a couple of tires. I can have a tire off in a matter of minutes normally. I just have it mounted to a 3'x3' piece of 1/2" plywood to keep it from rocking, plus i can stand on it for added weight. The thing to always keep in mind is just to work your way around the tire a few times, becuase it is not coming off in one single motion. Good luck. I guess I am just up for doing as much as I can on my own. That's the joy of these machines isn't it??

[thumbs]

Ok I'll pick one up when I get up that way. Like I said before, it will cost 40 bucks just to have the tires changed once or to get tubes put in the things once. Like you said I like doin stuff myself. Also at 9pm and I need to put a tube in the thing it's tough to find a place that is open. Since you have had pretty good luck with it I'll give er a try.

Thanks for the help

[200Xtreme]

Here's another grea way to break the bead on tires. Get a 4x4 about 2 or 3 feet long. Lay it, and the tire on concrete, with the end of the 4x4 on the sidewall as close as possible to the edge of the bead. Then drive a car or truck up the 4x4 (like a ramp) untill the tire breaks free. May have to rotate the tire a couple of times, and flip it over. I didn't believe it untill I tried it . Never had it fail yet!! Good luck!!