How To Take Tire Off Rim By Hand & Machine

By David Barlow
Last updated: Nov 27, 2022
How to remove tire from rim

The tire is the part that any driver needs to pay attention to. Using a worn or poor-quality one not only reduces performance but also affects your safety on the road.

Removing tires from rims doesn’t look easy, and most people don’t even think about making it at home. That’s why they spend a lot of money to pay for mechanics every year. 

In this article, we’ll provide you with a detailed guideline that will significantly support you to do this task and save a few hundred dollars per year. If you’re ready, let’s get started!

How To Remove Tire From Rim By Hand 

What You Need To Prepare

You need to repair the tool to remove the tire from the rim. Make sure that you’ll repair all of the implements before starting to avoid affecting your working process:

  • Lubricant: oil or liquid dish soap
  • Customized screwdrivers
  • Pry bar
  • Core removal tool
  • Bead breaker
  • Car jack
  • Wrenches

Removing Process

After having all the necessary tools, you can learn how to remove a tire from a rim now. Below are detailed steps that you should read carefully and follow slowly to carry out this task in the easiest way.

Remove tire from rim by hand

See more: What Is Tire Stretching?

Step 1: Find A Good Place

If your tires suddenly fail on the way, pay attention to steer your vehicle to the curb or somewhere safe. Repairing your car directly on the road is extremely dangerous for both you and other vehicles.

If you fix your car at home or in the garage, there’s nothing to worry about. However, it’s advisable to choose a place that is wide enough and well-lit to facilitate manipulation.

Step 2: Jack Your Car Up

The next step you have to do if you want to remove tires from rims is jack your car up. This step isn’t too difficult when you already have a car jack. Here’s how you do it:

  • Make sure you park the car on a flat surface.
  • Block the wheels to prevent them from slipping. If you don’t have a dedicated chock, use a rock or metal block.
  • Check the engine carefully, make sure you have parked the brake.
  • Find the jack point usually located along the body of the car. This is very important because the car’s weight can damage the whole frame if you lift it incorrectly.
  • Place the jack under the point. Pay attention to the correct orientation of the car jack, and on this tool, there will be a sticker to guide you.
  • Next, you’ll have to raise the jack.
  • Then, lift your car off the ground and move to the next step.

Step 3: Take The Wheel Off

Use a wrench to loosen all the screws on the wheel. Remember to store them carefully because if you lose them, you can’t put the wheels back as they were.

After that, place your wheel on a flat surface. It would be better if that space is large enough for you to move and act comfortably.

Step 4: Deflate The Tire

Without deflating the wheel, you can’t take tire off rim. Therefore, find the valve and start this step. 

Air valves are usually made from metal or rubber that you can easily find right on it. Just use the valve core removal tool to turn it counterclockwise, and you can open it.

Step 5: Break The Car Tire’s Bead

To ensure safety on the road, the tire and rim are attached very tightly together and are barely separated. Glue is used to connect them, and you need to break this adhesive to remove the tire.

There are two main ways to break the car’s bead when you remove tires from rims. The first one is to do it manually or with a dedicated machine, and the second is driving again and again.

Break the bead manually: You need to prepare sharp tools such as a knife or a pry bar in this step. Thread in and cut along the border of the rim. Pay attention to the direction of the knife or tool to avoid damage to this metal frame.

This is a common and fairly easy way to do it. However, there is a major disadvantage that it will be completely damaged and can’t be reused.

If you have a bead breaker tool, you’ll save a lot of effort. It helps you finish this work faster in a few minutes only.

Break the bead by driving the car many times: You just need to put the tire on the ground, then drive your car again and again. Observe it until the bead breaks out of the rim, and you can stop.

Step 6: Lubricate The Rim And Tire

Once the beads have been cut, lubricate the tire and rim. Apply lubricant carefully to the border and the contact points between these two parts.

Many people wonder why they have to lubricate at this step. However, this is an extremely effective tip because this will make it more straightforward to remove the tire from the rim.

Step 7: Take Tire Off Rim

This is near the end, and you are almost done with your task. However, in this step, you will have to use a lot of strength and make more effort.

A small tip for you is to put a cloth under the wheel before doing this step. It will prevent your wheel from slipping, and at the same time, limit scratching the metal rim.

It would be better if you pin both sides of the wheel with your legs. Then use force to separate the tire along with the rim frame.

Step 8: Lubricate The Rim Again

And you did it. Your task is done, now you just need to lubricate the rim again. This layer of oil or lubricant will protect the metal frame and prevent set rust. Plus, it will also make it easier for you to get a new one on.

View more: How To Remove Plasti Dip From Rims at home

How To Remove Tire From Rim With Machine 

How to get a tire off a rim at home when you already have a machine? This tool will support you a lot as you don’t have to make as much effort as removing by hand.

What You Need To Prepare

Similar to processing by hand, you’ll have to prepare some necessary tools to complete this job in the most convenient way:

  • Manual machine
  • A plywood board ( about 3/4 inch thick)
  • Bolts and screwdrivers
  • Core removal tool
  • Pen or marker
  • Lubricant or oil

Removing Process

Compared to the former method, this one is easier and quicker, especially for beginners. Some steps, such as jacking the car up or taking the wheel off, are similar to what we have explained above in the manual section above. Yet, some next steps are the differences that you should pay attention to.

Step 1: Setup The Machine And Plyboard

This machine needs a firm surface to stand on. That’s why you need to prepare the plyboard. Put the machine on this board and then mark its position.

After that, based on these marks, use bolts and screws to attach them to the board. Some people will use concrete blocks instead of wooden boards, but the process of attaching is similar.

Step 2: Deflate The Wheel

Similar to deflating manually, find the air valve first. Then use the core removal tool to turn it counterclockwise to release the valve lock and release the internal air.

Step 3: Place The Tire On The Machine 

If you see the small triangle part on the base of the machine, it’s the nub. You should place the wheel on with the front of the needle facing up. 

After that, hook the changer arm on top of the rubber. It would help if you also fixed it in this position with a clamp to avoid slipping when processing.

Step 4: Using Changing Rod

Insert one rod’s end into the joint between rim and tire. Then, hold another end and make an effort to push it down. With this operation, the tire will be separated from the rim.

Once done on one side, you need to flip the wheel and repeat on the other side. Separate it follow the rim line, and you will be able to remove the it soon.

Step 5

Last but not least, an essential step is lubricating your rim with a lubricant or oil.

Conclusion

These step-by-step guidelines will provide you with easy-to-understand information. Expectedly, you’ll find it supportive to you to complete this task.

Even when you have a dedicated machine or not, removing the tire isn’t as hard as you think. Read the guideline carefully, and you’ll know the best way to do it.

Finally, pay attention to not damage the rim. You’ll have to continue using it, so it’s advisable to lubricate it after removing the tire to maintain the quality.

David Barlow

Automotive Experts at World Tire Review

Hi everyone, I’m David (Tireguy). I believe that finding tires can lead to a lot of confusion and frustration for almost every driver. That’s why I would like to bring my experiences and knowledges to develop World Tire Review blog, it will give people a deeper understanding of what choosing the right tire is really like!