Tire changer adaptation

[saddlesore]

In using tha tire changer frome Harbor Freight I solve a problem I had when changing tires.

I changed both tires recently and after reading somewhere on this board about using a strap to keep the tire from turning, I tried the strap.  It didn't work very well.

For the second tire I drilled a half inch hole through the bracket under the wheel and ran a threaded rod through that. Some hose on the rod to protect the wheel.  And it made changing the tire a lot easier.
Pics should bee self explanatory.




Really simple. I wish I would have done it sooner.

[Fritz The Cat]

I've never had a problem with the wheel turning, My only problem is I don't have enough ass to get the tire off and on the rim. Wish they made a air motor to assist. 

[wiggydotcom]

Nice idea, Saddlesore. I installed the Mojoblocks on my Harbor Freight changer. While they do an excellent job protecting the rim, they also make the rim more apt to turn on the changer. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks.  

So can you give me a measurement from the bottom side nut to the top of the rod...total length of what I'd need?.Yes, I know I can go measure the rim thickness, yada, yada...but your's is already figured out.

[wiggydotcom]

I've never had a problem with the wheel turning, My only problem is I don't have enough ass to get the tire off and on the rim. Wish they made a air motor to assist. 

Not affiliated, Fritz, but the Mojobar does make the job easier, along with letting the tire sit in the sun and warm up.

[saddlesore]

Nice idea, Saddlesore. I installed the Mojoblocks on my Harbor Freight changer. While they do an excellent job protecting the rim, they also make the rim more apt to turn on the changer. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks.  

So can you give me a measurement from the bottom side nut to the top of the rod...total length of what I'd need?.Yes, I know I can go measure the rim thickness, yada, yada...but your's is already figured out.

The length of the rod is 10 inches.  You can go shorter but I figured that can be adjusted  by screwing the lower nut on further.

[wiggydotcom]

The length of the rod is 10 inches.  You can go shorter but I figured that can be adjusted  by screwing the lower nut on further.
[/quote]

Thanks..yep, I saw you had excess on the bottom side, which doesn't hurt a thing.

[Hook#3287]

    I like it.  I always have the slipping wheel problem.  I crank the holders as much as I feel comfortable so not to mark up the rims and the wheel always move.  I've been using one of the rods that came with the changer to do the same thing, but it doesn't always stay in place.  Great idea!

[PAVALKER]

Does the rod placement handle both front and rear wheels or is there a need for different installation point depending on which wheel is being installed??

I've never had a problem with the wheel turning, My only problem is I don't have enough ass to get the tire off and on the rim. Wish they made a air motor to assist. 

I don't think ass is the requirement..... I have enough ass, too much actually, but some upper strength helps much more.  I need to find a better place to mount my changer so it doesn't move, that in itself might make it mo better.

[jmann]

Does the rod placement handle both front and rear wheels or is there a need for different installation point depending on which wheel is being installed??

I've never had a problem with the wheel turning, My only problem is I don't have enough ass to get the tire off and on the rim. Wish they made a air motor to assist. 

I don't think ass is the requirement..... I have enough ass, too much actually, but some upper strength helps much more.  I need to find a better place to mount my changer so it doesn't move, that in itself might make it mo better.

I bolted my changer to the garage floor using redhead concrete anchors. That made it as stable as you could need. 

[saddlesore]

I tried the strap thing on the front tire then made the rod thing for the rear tire change.  I'll have to get back to you about the front tire.  15,000 to 20,000 miles from now.
If the placement is different for the front tire I'll drill a new hole in one of the other arms of the holder.

I used lag bolts and lag shields to mount my changer. When I unbolt it from the floor it's still relatively
flush to the floor.

[PAVALKER]

I tried the strap thing on the front tire then made the rod thing for the rear tire change.  I'll have to get back to you about the front tire.  15,000 to 20,000 miles from now.
If the placement is different for the front tire I'll drill a new hole in one of the other arms of the holder.

I used lag bolts and lag shields to mount my changer. When I unbolt it from the floor it's still relatively
flush to the floor.

Yea, that is what I was thinking.... if the rod didn't fit/work with the front wheel a different hole in one of the other arms would work for that.  I have the arms marked with a sharpie for front or rear holders.  I did mount the changer to a steel plate and try to stand on it when I use it, but sometimes that doesn't work well.   I will have to look into fastening it to the floor or possibly the rear hitch of the truck in case the floor is taken (it is kinda crowded). 

[wiggydotcom]

[/quote]

I bolted my changer to the garage floor using redhead concrete anchors. That made it as stable as you could need. 
[/quote]

I also used a hammer drill and drilled holes in the floor followed by threaded inserts. When my changer isn't mounted, I put button head screws in the inserts to keep the dirt out. The button heads are easy on the car and bike tires driving over them.