Anyone know the fire way of re-beading a tire?

diablokicks

Registered User
Location
Layton
So i recently saw a video of some guys trashin a cherokee, and in one of the scenes they have an unbeaded tire, and they spray something flamible on the lower part of the tire where it would contact the rim, and then touch a match to it and it instantly re-beads itself to the rim. Anyone have any idea what im talking about or how its done?
 

Brian P

Misanthropic Fuel
Location
Taylorsville
If you werent aware you can also wrap a rope/chain or something around a tire and crank it down so it will collapse the tire against the rim, Then add air.
I know the fire is always funner but may not be the safest method.
That was a fun video on the Jeep.
 

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
Seen it done a few times. You spray the starter fluid into the tire, so that it expands and re-seats itself, not around the entire bead. You just leave a trail of fluid coming out to light. I would try any other possible method first though.
It does look cool, but anytime I have seen it done it takes a few tries. I am not sure as to how much fluid to spray in though. I would imagine you don't want to do too much, but never tried it myself to really say.
 

DOSS

Poker of the Hornets Nest
Location
Suncrest
I used to have a friend that worked on Semi's and that was how he seated tires all the time. Just start out with a quick spray around the inside of the tire throw the match... Oh ya if you add too much it will just blow the damn thing up :)
 

DevinB

I like traffic lights
Location
Down Or'm
Stand back when you light it. It will take your eyebrows.

Beat me to it. Watch the eyebrows!

We've done it to seat a few tires. More than anything it's just fun to play with fire. If that doesn't work, do the ratchet strap around the tire and start cranking while adding air through the valve. It'll catch eventually. Try to use the heavy duty straps, the dinky tie-downs usually aren't strong enough.

Devin
 

cyberduke

Hairy Bagel
Location
S. Jordan
Take out your valve core before you do this though. I've heard of people getting hurt w/ the thing shooting out of the stem. If you're quick enough, it's not a problem to get it back in befor it deflates too much.

-Earl
 

Jay5.9L

...I just filled the cup.
Location
Riverton
I saw the crew of a monster truck (like big foot) use the fire method to seat their tires. I'm sure in a pinch it would work but I am a little leary lighting my rig on fire or having flamable liquid/gas in my tire. Knowing my luck I'd air down and some how light it up again!
 

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
I wouldn't use a match at all. We used to do it often while out in the boonies on trailer tires. We've had it where we tried to throw a match in and light it but the fluid explodes at the wrong time and the match gets stuck between the bead of the tire and the rim making it so you can't get a good seal. As 1993yj said, spray a trail of fluid out and use it as an ignition. Also, I've NEVER heard of it blowing up a tire if too much is used, the flame goes out instantly because it looses all oxygen inside the tire as soon as it seats. It's also the gas the explodes not the fluid itself so you could have a gallon in there and it will still only light the fumes. I think I've been hurt more from using a ratchet strap to seat a tire bead than using starter fluid :D

Another note is if you get much around the bead area, when it seats it will sometimes pop the excess fluid off the tire shooting little mini fire balls, gotta watch out for those :p
 
With a little experience, you can get the right amount in first try. Do be cautious about how the tire is positioned in relation to you. In extreme cases, it can blow the bead over the rim. If it is the bottom bead, the whole thing becomes a projectile. Don't ask how I know this. I always use a rag on the end of a stick to do the lighting...
 

BlackSheep

baaaaaaaaaad to the bone
Supporting Member
Not the recommended way to seat a tire. You can and will damage the inner liner. I would not use it, but if all else fails, just make sure you keep as far away as possible.

An exploding tire can kill a person, just FYI.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
I did it a few months ago after one of our Hy-Rail trucks lost the bead on the outside dually. We were in a situation where we were in the middle of no where, getting a service truck would have taken too much time & we needed to be mobile. A couple *SMALL* squirts of starting fluid, ignition (we used a lit propane torch) and boom! You're good to go.
 

88 Runner SAS

Saving Money For Parts
Location
Monticello
I've done it a few times at the shop. As stated by greg a couple quick squirts, and choose your method of ignition. We did a skidsteer tire with a little too much fluid once (third try) popped a few inches off the floor BIG BANG. The salesman up front ran in the shop, he thought the building was coming down :rofl: it was hillarious. Scares me every time I do it.
 
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