[Bob Carriere]

....for those so incline to demonstrate their masculanity by pounding on a tire carcass..... at the pro tire shop..... before using any kind of machinery they always pour some old gasoline or kerosene/diesel or what ever is handy on the bead/rims junction..... according to them it softens the rubber and helps the release of the tire.

In response to Rookie's last post....... I have used the front edge of my tractor bucket and managed to repeatedly lift the front axle of the tractor off the ground and still could not move thetire bead down the rim...... in fact the tire casing would rip but the bead would not move.

I have 7 rims to work on and they are waiting to be delivered to the tire shop....... in by 8 out by 5.... no pain no blisters. As pointed out by Rob Clarke we do take the time to remove our own rim bolts so the tire shop will not break themoff withthe one inch air drive they use.

Bob C.