Can I remove old race tires with a sawzall?

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 12:05 PM

Stupid question / cheap question / butcher question. To avoid spending $40 to have old tires taken off the rims.....can I just cut them off.....This seems like a bad idea but then again I've got a garage full of cutting tools.....Basically any garage mechanic way to remove a tire without damaging the rims? Or do I just need to suck it up and pay.

My plan is to clean up the rims before putting new AX tires on them. However risking damage to a nice set of Fuchs is probably not a good idea. Somehow I don't have a problem paying to mount tires but it feels like a waste to transport pay to dismount, clean them up and then pay again to remount them on the new set of rims.

Matt

dipso · 01-31-2009, 12:07 PM

Sure, why not?
If your worried about the rims just use a pocket knife, razor knife.

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 12:25 PM

Hmm I guess theoretically the only hard part to cut would be the belted tread. The sidewalls near the rim are just thick rubber. Anybody done this....is it worth the effort?

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Why cant you clean up the rims with the tires on? BTW you will never cut thru the bead.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Those steel belts are very tough, and the sharp edges can be treacherous. i would worry about cutting the bead without damaging the rim. One slip and its just too late...

dipso · 01-31-2009, 12:31 PM

Tell you the truth I don't think a sawzall would work. The tire will not be stationary enough.
Use a knife for the sidewalls and tinsnips for the treads.

Hell, just run a circular saw through the treads and cut the sides with a knife.
You probably would have them done by now.

If it doesn't work you can post the results in " The stupidist use of power tools" thread.
Take pictures.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

+1 to the circular saw with a carbide wheel. I use a handheld Makita - works fine. Wear very, very thick gloves and eye protection. The metal edges are very dangerous.

Just don't nick the wheel itself with the blade and you're fine.

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 12:35 PM

The stupidist use of power tools" thread......right next to my WTB 15x7 and 15x8 Fuchs.....ad.

I think the comment about the bead convinced me. I'm not sure how I would cut through that. Too close to the rim for power tools.. Theoretically I would have to pry it away from the aluminum rim....at a point where the smoothness counts as far as later keeping air in the new tires... I think I'll just load em in the truck and pay the money.

nIkbot · 01-31-2009, 12:37 PM

I'm in just about the same boat. but what I'm gonna attempt ive seen done.. all you need are 2 of the thin medium length pry-bars, cover them in duct-tape so they don't clip any thing. go around and hammer bead off with the pry-bar. then used the covered pry bars to work the bead over the lip section by section. use grease. its the same way its done in the shops with those fancy machines but less the technology..

HarryD · 01-31-2009, 12:41 PM

How about something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34542

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 01:01 PM

Hmm. Harbor Freight strikes again. Not a bad idea.

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 01:03 PM

What about balancing the tires? I'm goin to have to go to a pro at some point.

HarryD · 01-31-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshriner

What about balancing the tires? I'm goin to have to go to a pro at some point.

For a dynamic balance yes you will most likely visit the tire store. If a static balance is acceptalbe, you can use one of these (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39741):

Zeke · 01-31-2009, 01:33 PM

Unless you're gonna mount the autox tires yourself, I think the only fee you will pay at the tires shop for dismount will be the environmental disposal fee. The mounting will cover any dismount. I say this because if you take in bare rims, you will most likely pay the same.

OK, the point was you wanted to do some clean up. I'm sure if you leave your autox tires at the shop they will let you take your bare rims home to do what you want to do. Also, it's hard to beat a computer dynamic balance job for the money.

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 01:42 PM

Milt,
Thanks. Sounds like the way to go.

carr914 · 01-31-2009, 03:19 PM

Air Cut-off wheel. I just did it. The bands at the beads were the hardest and trickiest

T.C.

djdsc · 01-31-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carr914

Air Cut-off wheel. I just did it. The bands at the beads were the hardest and trickiest

T.C

Foolishly I cut the tires off a set of "roller wheels" with a sawzall. Yep the hardest part is the steel band in the bead, right next to the rim edge. I would never do it to a decent rim; it was a PITA and a bit dangerous to boot!!

911Rich · 02-01-2009, 08:13 AM

geez...spend the 40 bucks

carr914 · 02-01-2009, 08:32 AM

Here's my cut from yesterday. I had to cut the tire off. The tire was so petrofied, it held up to the weight of a car with no valve stem in the wheel, therefore no air pressure in the tire.

This is the bands in the bead that were a *****. If the tire could have come off the rim in a regular manner I would not have done this. Fortunately I didn't touch or harm the rim.

T.C.

dipso · 02-01-2009, 08:55 AM

Is that steel cord in the bead? Damn.

You wouldn't of been able to get through that with a razor knife!