Many vehicle wheels consist of three parts: the tire, the rim, and the inner tube. The inner tube is a doughnut-shaped wheel that fits inside a tire. In wheels that use inner tubes, the inner tube is the part of the wheel that is inflated, with the hard outer rubber tire providing protection and traction. Holes in the inner tube will prevent the wheel from re-inflating, but the inner tube can be replaced cheaply while the rim and tire can be reused.
Instructions
- 1
Place the wheel onto a tire changing stand. These stands can be purchased from bike, motocross and automotive shops. If a stand is unavailable, clear some space on level ground and lay the tire flat.
2Remove the cap on the inflation valve and use a screwdriver to bleed out all the air. Press down on the tire while bleeding the air to make sure you get out as much of it as possible.
3Look inside the rim for a rim-lock. It looks like a second protrusion from the rim, similar to the inflation valve, but not hollow. If you find one, check for a screw and washer holding it in place. Remove the screw to loosen the lock. Use a pair of pliers if the screw is too tight to be removed by hand.
4Use a tire spoon to separate the tire from the rim. A tire spoon is a large metal bar with a flat, rounded end like a spoon. These tools are designed for loosening the bead, which is a metal hoop that fits into a groove in the rim and secures the tire in place. Insert the spoon into the space between tire and rim and press down while moving along the tire so it is completely free of the rim.
5Flip the wheel over and loosen the bead on the other side.
6Use the spoon as a lever to lift the tire up and over the rim. Move the spoon over and remove one side of the tire completely from the rim. Take your time doing this.
7Reach inside the tire and grab the inner tube by the inflation valve. Pull the valve through the rim and yank the inner tube out.
