Will a 16 inch Rated Harbor Freight Tire Changer Change Bigger Tires? Let’s Find Out!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Checkout my Amazon store--- “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” www.amazon.com/shop/thedisgruntledmechanic

[@damageinc81292]

I did 18s with lower profile tires on this. I made a custom duckbill addon for it to prevent from scratching the rim. It's a popular mod for this changer. It's on KZbin everywhere

[@mpn7jxc]

I also did 18s. If you take out the pins on the breaker arm and replace with bolts and washers snugged tight it breaks the bead much easier. FYI

[@saneauto]

Thats the Same method I learned to install motorcycle tires except I push the part closest to me down toward the center of the wheel & hold it there with my hip before flipping the bar.

[@johng1077]

Yes please on the Harbor Freight Bubble balancer(not sure if thats what you called it). I think its about time I did my own. All those $20 for a tire balance it will pay for it self quickly.

[@SchrodingersBox]

Jesus Christ on a stick that’s a lot of labor lol!!! I am exhausted just watching! Like you say- better off having someone else do it lol! Speaking of making things easier, I am in the market for a 2 post lift and I noticed you have one there! I have just under a 10ft ceiling. I don’t think I can do a full size but I am considering a MaxJax. And insight as to considerations and suggestions?

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Well not really. mine is made for low ceilings but unfortunately the company that made the 1 like mine is out of business. But if I had to replace it max jax is probably where I would go. I had Mowhawk lifts at work. They are great but expensive and not sure if they even make a low ceiling lift.

[@77LionTree]

After watching about ten other videos and going at putting a new wheel onto the rim for about 20 minutes, mitching and boaning, I watched how you successfully did it. I got a rag and some vice grips and levered in increments as you did and wallah! Thank you so much for showing your way and for being a great teacher!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thank you!

[@PatrickBaptist]

Thank you sir for sharing, I'm gonna get one myself hopefully it will work on my 18", I'm tired of fooling with tire shops wasting my time, I should have gotten one years ago.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Glad I could help

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic If you wanna be of help you can come on over to TN and change them for me.... If your really board I'll let you do it all take them off the veh swap rubber and remount tires on veh.. HAHA Then if you still feel like helping I've got 6x 24.5" tires needing changed on my bus too! Take care sir, thanks for your time. Lord Jesus bless you and yours.

[@OU812NVME]

The only thing I do different is put a piece of plastic between my tire changing rod and top of tire to stop said maring on rim other than that its exactly the same...I don it that way as not to run that piece of .steel rod around the entire rim

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

The duck bill head works a ton better on electric and pneumatic tire changers to be honest Mike

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Hi Mike, compared to your first videos on this tire changer it looks to me like you have mastered it. Plus you gave us a few laughs which we all need. Thanks for sharing and stay well Artie 😊🇺🇸

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

as they say practice makes perfect! haha! Thanks Artie!

[@blassgatling8898]

Hey I can say I have done a 22' tire before on my harbor freight manual tire changer I forgot what the height and diameter of the tire was but it was a 22' rim..... But I will tell you it took some patience and a whole lot of elbow grease!

[@highn00n]

Damn that's awesome. I've only used it for 18's.

[@BigDog50001]

Fat boy power for the win!

[@saneauto]

Yes! I would like to see your video version of balancing with a manual balancer because I know you will include the struggle. I learn as much from the struggle as I do from the victory.

[@CPthetooladdict]

Great video you make it look easy definitely nice to be able to mount your own tires!!!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thanks Chad!

[@timothybagrowski643]

Thanks Guy, I was mounting some pretty stiff 285 Truck tires, Your method saved the day, Never could have gotten the bead seated with the "traditional" method.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

My pleasure!

[@fpiech4764]

I've done 275/40R19 on mine but have a modified duckbill head on it.

[@mpn7jxc]

I have done 18 on my f150. I did have to change a few things to make it work but it work relatively easy. The breaker arm need bolts and washers instead of the supplied pins so it doesn’t shift right or left. And I used a torch to warm the rubber first then gasoline. Breaking a 18’ bead on a low profile wheel is difficult but it did it.

[@juliosdiy3206]

Yes i have done it on my 17s car but probably not goin do trucks it will.def.destroy the machine.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I did all 4 tires on my 2500HD chevy. I forget the size off hand.

[@DHVAC]

Uhh yeah we want to see bubble balance

[@Yophillips3272]

I just put the rim on the floor and knee on 1 side to keep the tire in the drop center and use long needle nose pliers or flathead screwdriver to pry the tire on. When I first got it I tried using the duckbill and didn't even know about the drop center trick and nearly broke my leg trying to put a tire on.

[@rvmagnum5415]

looks good to me , thanks.

[@getitdonehomerepair]

Good advice about the location of the sensor when removing and installing the tire. I'm impressed how good the machine works and of course the operator.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Hey and I have less problems with my tire changer than you have with your new one in your shop! haha! Thanks Jim!

[@jimthecarguy]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic Your right . Maybe I should up grade to that one. Hahaha

[@SteveRobReviews]

The vice grips are a great resolve unless you enjoy walking in circles for a couple of hours :)

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Steve I do that a lot of the day anyhow, the walking in circles!

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic I do that too, just looking for the wrench I had five minutes ago

[@jaredstrehlein5605]

@@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404 Me as well

[@jaredstrehlein5605]

Good tire mounting video, and now look I forward to part two the tire balancing video.

[@ozzstars_cars]

I'm going to drop off my Corvette rims and tires at your place Mike on Monday morning. Give it the 19 front and 20 inch rear wheel tire test. The secret to hiding wheel scratches is plasti-dip. I learned that in the automotive section at Walmart from a guy who drives a Dodge Neon with a fart muffler.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I will be waiting and there will be no charge since you are letting me make a video doing them! I will start deburring the dismounting/mounting tool in preparation! P.S I need 1 of those fart mufflers for my Hondoo!

[@ridgerunner106]

I do 20's. 19.5 on my service truck 10 lug wheels. I think I did some 22 inch before. Get some tire bead soap it will change your life.

[@acke26]

best way to not scratch or damage the rim edge is simply to turn the rim upside down with the face pointing downwards. Just cut a hole in a rubber mat and place it on the top surface of the harbor freight tire changer. When working on the backside it doesn't matter if you get some minor scratches

[@terranceprice7006]

I changed two front tyres on my 235-45X17 ut use a different bat which I made after looking at items for sale. I now have the same tyres to change again but have just made a duckbill conversion plenty of video`s on KZbin

[@sergeantmasson3669]

I've done several 17" wheels with my HF manual tire changing machine. 4 20" wheels also.

[@Kiskassklan]

Good video! I've done one 235/55/18 on it and one was enough. I did have to take it to a shop to get the bead set my air compressor wouldnt handle it. I think I'll let the shop do my 18's. The lower profile stiff side walled tires are tuff. I am going to try some 205/55/16's this next week on my daughters car. I hope they arent as difficult.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thanks for the info. If I get an 18 inch I will have to try it just to see.

[@invujerry]

Hey man, nice process! I actually welded in a socket in between the arms of that shovel for the bead breaker so they won’t fold over. If they start getting on your nerves too bad give that a shot

[@Zupdood1]

Interesting. Would like to see a picture. My son and I are going to be picking up the HF mounter & balancer so I’m interested in picking up any tips.

[@frankbenally3463]

I used hobor fright manual tire changer on my 20 inc all the I get a flat tire, no problem 👍.

[@johnlagreca6288]

Thanks for the video. I have done a lot of 17" Audi wheels (235/45-17) without even knowing the tool was only specified to 16 :) I like the ceiling in the shop. I have the same one. Mine is covered with beer stains though from when the tap hose let go and decorated the room once. I also have some strapping on mine to keep the insulation from dropping and to center all of the joists as some were wider and narrower than 16" OC due to their length and no floor upstairs. I put a couple of old floor mats down to protect the wheel when breaking bead.

[@hiseminencetheholymacdiarmada]

I was able to mount 37x12.5 tires on 17 inch wheels with the harbor freight tool

[@StanSwan]

Cool video am considering buying one. One thing that would worry me is the faced insulation on your ceiling. That stuff is loaded with tar and if ever catches on fire it burns like crazy. You could cover it with sheetrock or a metallic vapor barer.

[@huckleberryfinn338]

Would like to see you balance an aluminum wheel and turn it 180 degrees to verify.

[@scottbrown6438]

My son and I just put 35 inch super swamper tires with very thick and hard beads on 18 jeep rims. So it’s possible. It took both of us because of how stiff the beads are. Just wanted to share. I ended up using your method to install and an additional pry bar

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Happy to hear stories like this!

[@cndnknight]

If you are doing tires that size consistently id look into using the double bar method, its actually a lot less labor than using this tire changer. Tires that size you can stand on the tire while mounting the tire to the wheel as leverage while using the bar to bead the tire on.

[@Zupdood1]

Good video Mike! My son and I are going to be picking up a HF mounter & balancer so these were very handy suggestions. Plus we also have his Chevy Volt and my Chevy Bolt so we will be working on the same size/style tires you are working with, so I’m trying to pick up any anti-scratch tips you have. It would seem you could epoxy a small strip of rubber to the end of that leverage bar you are using…but maybe it wouldn’t slide if you did that. One thing I’m wondering how to do; is how to bolt the mounter to the garage floor, like I think you have. It would be handy if you could show that! :)

[@dragygoodwin420]

Thank you very much I was having a hard time putting the tires back on my 20 “ rims watches dozens of videos but yours was the one to do it thank you for sharing

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

My pleasure!

[@danielslaughter104]

The vice grip trick just saved my ass! I fought that tool for hours, ended up breaking my pinky from it slipping. Definitely doing this next time!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Glad I could help!

[@restfulplace3273]

I’m surprised the flat bars on the bead breaker don’t buckle.

[@ghost_rider221]

use a bunge cord to hold the bead breaker up when flipping tire just sayin

[@earlybird541]

great video, I've done truck/18 wheeler tires my whole life. I think i'm going to get one of these now for my little cars. The only thing you didn't talk about but I saw that you did do, is making sure that you put the aligning dot to the valve stem.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Yes I should have. Thanks for watching!

[@sinistersilverado965]

good video, I bought a couple tire spoons, and use them to put the tire on

[@ap1hondaking]

Get the chrome Alloy tire bar for the end mount. At Harbor freight.

[@harleyleeps6696]

Lay an old car floor mat on the floor or some scrap carpet.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Good idea! I'll have to bend over fewer times!

[@WJHandyDad]

I like your method! i wrestled with one for over 30 minutes today and couldn't get it to mount. I'm gonna go back with your method and see if I can get it.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Let me know how it works for you!

[@WJHandyDad]

can't be any worse than yesterday. I knew the bar slipped a few times and I had banged my fingers, but I pressed on. When I finally gave up and removed my glove, my thumb was covered in blood. I am trying to mount a 235/55/17 so that firm sidewall is not helping

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Lots of soapy water!!!!!!

[@mcqueenfanman]

When installing the tire, then sensor should be at the last spot where the tire slips down. I heard some crunching, not sure if it's the sensor or not.😂

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Still working fine!

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

That thing got scared when you picked up the mallet.

[@CJdriftZ]

I have a video of me doing 18's for my drift car, not to hard to do.

[@BrucesShop]

Did you work in a tire shop when you were a kid??

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Nope but in the job I left I changed and patched quite a few tires but used a machine not a manual changer.

[@patrickleonard5034]

Thats way to much work for me! My carpol tunnel is flaring up just watching😂 I friggen hate doing tires with a tire machine as it is! BUT i can think of like 1000 occasions that that would have been wicked handy to have at My house! Anyway i forgot how much i love this channel havent watched in a while🙁 i would for sure love to see a bubble balancer video

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thanks!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Seems to work well very efficient little tire changer

[@nickschriefer5135]

Thanks

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

My pleasure!

[@johnysilver1853]

Its not meant for steel rims. Tried today to install 205/55R16 on steel rim and tool slips from rims age so couldn proceed. Aluminum rims probably work better

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I do steel wagon wheel rims for my equipment trailer all the time.

[@wyattoneable]

This video got past me. I'm glad to hear the bubble balance worked out. I've often wondered about how good it works. (ha ha) "Not quite that loose". It worked! Now we know. Thanks Mike, well done.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I miss youtube notifications by email!

[@wyattoneable]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic Me too

[@frugalprepper]

Great Video. I got a local tire shop that will mount and balance 4 tires for $40. I'm not sure I wan't to go through all that for $40.

[@daviddelle774]

Where's this reasonable shop at? Most places around my area want $20 - 25 each.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Yeah it is $25 per tire for that around here so I just do it myself. I actually enjoy it!

[@ozzstars_cars]

That's a deal!

[@bigal5230]

$50 per tire at Les Schwab with new valves December 2021

[@eugeneyakubson3879]

Hey you know you’re supposed to use that other side of the stick and you’re supposed to twist it around while you’re pushing against in a circular motion to mount that tire so you take the stick and you use the middle bar the middle post and twist in the circle and that shoe part of the stick that you’re holding is supposed to go around and mount the tire you’re not supposed to do it in increments you’re supposed to just twist around the new supposed to mount it for you the only Reason I’m watching these videos because I don’t have any vice grips here when I’m doing it I’m trying to see who is doing it in a different way I don’t have any vice grips so I’m stuck doing it the hard way

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Yes I love to do it all the wrong way and yet STILL get the tire mounted without bending rim and tire holding air!!!! Go figure.

[@bakergang89]

I would like to see the bubble balancer video

[@michjk1]

Thank you Mike appreciate all your hard work and knowledge your friend Mike from West central Pennsylvania

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thank you for watching and your comments!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Interesting video Mike

[@tinkeringtrucker5196]

Credit to sixty5ford for the rubber under the clamp idea. I used old baler belt

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Yep pretty sure now that is where I saw it! Thanks !

[@TechTimeElectronics]

Nice video bro.. what spray are you using to lube up the tire?

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Dawn dish soap and water. Works great!

[@im2crafty]

Eric O. has an auto- borrow his.

[@jondoh5961]

i do it exactly how u do it... the biggest part is breaking the bead.. some tires r a pain to break.. i can easily do 17 inch all terrain tires on my truck easily now after doing a few and learning the tricks.. if u like doing things urself these cheap tire changers work pretty good...good vid..

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

TY! A little trick with breaking the bead that I found works, break the bead before the air is entirely out of the tire. It works.

[@AIRMANBEAR]

THE LIP ON THE BEAD BREAKER NEEDS TO BE BENT DOWNWARD A BIT SO IT DOESNT SLIP OFF THE BEAD ..

[@gatsbylight4766]

I'm assuming the tire size limitation pertains to *taking the tire off the rim* (because of the length of the rod), and *not* the *breaking the bead* part. *SO, MY QUESTION IS:* Could you use this HF tire changer *just to break the bead* on a 20" tire? (I just need to break the bead in order to change the TPMS sensor.)

[@happycat0411]

You can easily prevent marring the rims if you just wrap the tire mounting bar with duct tape where the bar makes contact with the rim.

[@elijahmcgaugh8219]

I need a used 17"tire

[@shaunsautorepairs5410]

Im with you on that one.. That duck bill head has never worked for me either. I put it down to the cheap design.. I was lookibg at getting a better quality bar to try with more of a refined head. But for now i use the same method as you. Grips included to hold the tyre...works for me...

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Yep nice and simple!

[@lonwillis783]

Wow Mike Thanks you did it faster than a machine!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Well I do enjoy doing it.

[@berghundkennel41]

I just did all 4 tires on 06 1500 chevy and used the bubble balancer tire size was 265 16 great tire changer for $40

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I agree. It has saved me a lot of $$$$$$!

[@berghundkennel41]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic The tire shops here are hacks ! I cannot stand having a leaking tire ! great video's brother!!!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I also bought the plug/patches that you have to break the tire to properly patch it from the inside. So this tire changer gets a work out with all the vehicles I have.

[@Dubblesteel]

I just did a 19" tire on Journey, it was very difficult and I scratched the mess out of my rims, shoot but I got it on.

[@johngibson3594]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

My pleasure!

[@Motovader72]

I changed two sets of 20" tires on my Dodge ram pickups with mine. No issues.

[@cliffordgallagher4531]

You made it look Easy! Lol Good stuff bud!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thank you! Thanks for watching.

[@billbosch9127]

Thanks brother!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

My pleasure!

[@kubibear2890]

why dont you it from the inside wall so as not to scatch the rim

[@mikesworld60]

I understand the smaller the wheel the harder it is to mount. Like the old 13' wheels back in the late 70's and 80's. I know a guy that had a manual changer and did his own tires on a vw rabbit with 13" wheels and it could be a challenge. Do you put the tpms sensor in area where the tire goes on last or first.

[@ridgerunner106]

Start at valve stem first when taking off. If valve is 12 o clock, I start at 10 o clock. I start putting on at 2 o clock, so valve area is last to go on. Never a problem. Had manual changer over 20 years now. Thousands of tires changed.

[@mikesworld60]

@@ridgerunner106 Thanks for the info!

[@allanriley4070]

I’ll try this, I got quoted 187 to mount 4 tires at Les Schwab.

[@huckleberryfinn338]

they quoted me 140 with balance.

[@dwigts4887]

What limits how big of a wheel you can do? Is it just you run out of bar length?

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

Looking at the design of the unit, the limit seems to be more a function of how long the duckbill / spoon might be so that you could get the proper leverage on it. Larger tires might also require you to strengthen up where the center post mounts to the base plate.

[@kevwilliam]

Great video thanks 👍

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevwilliam]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic I'm on a learning curve again just picked an manual tire changer unit up to change the tires on my landrover and my wife's car the last time I changed any tires myself was around 26 ish years ago 🤦‍♂️ watching videos like yours definitely helps and gives me tips and advice I think I'll definitely need lol

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

1 tip lots of lube! Dawn dishsoap is all I use.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice demo

[@jeremybreeden4228]

You're a total pro at this man! Very smooth and probably just as fast as any shop I've seen do it with a hydraulic/pneumatic machine. 👍 I just got me one and hoping I can get it to go as smooth as you do.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

TY!

[@jeremybreeden4228]

@@TheDisgruntledMechanic not a problem! I have a lot of respect and appreciation for KZbinrs such as yourself who take the time to make these helpful diy videos. I know making these videos requires extra time and work and instead of taking the time to make a helpful video, you could just role right through the job in half the time. I don't care if it's a video that's helpful to me or not, if someone is taking time out of their day in hopes of helping others then they deserve a thank you and there is so many of y'all who don't get the appreciation y'all deserve. I've been into mechanic work every since I was a little kid, I started out working on Nitro rc cars and small dirt bikes and ever since my first vehicle I've always tried to do all the work myself to any of my vehicles. There is a lot I didn't know and still don't know but KZbin teaches.me new things everyday and has made.me a better mechanic. I decided to bite the bullet and go out in the very cold weather we having up north and try to remove and mount a tire and man it went smooth as ever, honestly I couldn't believe it lol. Thanks again man!!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

It is really appreciated. Sometimes I wonder if it worth making videos with the negative comments I get but comments like yours keeps me making them! Thank you again.

[@busbqbill449]

Why not just go to the tire store and get them changed or even better upgrade your machine. Have a good day mike. Also maybe wrap some electrical tape around the bar

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I do this becuase I did 2 sets of 4 tires and saved on tire price and mounting and balancing. Saving about $300. Also I hate waiting to get tires changed. It takes me less time to do it this way. This also makes me less dependant on on garages which is the same reason I try to do all my own repairs. As for a more expensive upgrade, for the 4 sets of tires I do a year this set up is just fine.

[@tinkeringtrucker5196]

I've done tires on an 18" malibu ltz wheels on mine

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

good to know!

[@drewfleming7065]

Vise grips on rim...enjoy the bead leak.....NEVER DO THAT!!!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

As I said if you put a rag or something to keep the teeth from digging into the rim or clamp them LIGHTLY there is no scratching or scarring so I disagree. Plus the bead seals on the tire in the inner edge of rim not the extreme outer edge so no issue.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

"The bead is the wire at the inner edge of the tire, which creates a bulge in the edge that locks into the groove in the rim. '