Rear tire repair
 

One of my rear tires sprung a leak on me. The tire really should be replaced but I really can't afford $60-100 dollars for one tire right now (especially since the other one is probably not far behind). No, really, I don't have the money so I need to find an alternative, even if temporary. In a few months I might be able to get new tires, but the grass is growing now...

The tire is old and starting to dry rot, and it appears to be split between the treads. Can I remove the tire from the rim myself without any special tools? I've never tried. I'm thinking if I can get some sort of patch in it (even if it isn't completely airtight) I can get by with a tube for at least a few months. They are 23x8.5x12's

No... you would have to have some way to break it down.... and on that old of a tire, you likely won't be able to do it by hand without at least a "duck bill" and a set of spoons.


Tube it is about your only choice....

you can get the tire off with a couple big screw drivers or pry bars but getting it back on without putting a hole in the tube might be a bit of a challenge if your inexperienced, heres a link to a youtube video that will give you the general idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-Qdlc3KWs

That's probably a pretty common tire size. Have you checked any local mower repair shops to see if someone has a junker they would sell rims and tires off of? I don't know if any other brands would bolt right up or not. Know anyone tractor pulling in your area? Most of those guys run a lug type tire and may very well have an old set of turf tires you can get real cheap.

If it leaking through cracks on the sidewall or from the bead.... SLIME... not sure where you would get it in the states but its sold at most auto supply stores around here. You just remove the valve stem and attach the hose from the bottle then squeeze in the liquid, put the valve stem back in, add air, and drive around for 20 minutes. Its about $8 for a small bottle enough for one tire, its not a permanent fix but it will USUALLY get you by for a little while.

This assuming you have already checked for punctures from nails or whatever? Those can be easily and cheaply plugged from the outside.

rear tire repair
 

I used to remove auto tires from the rims by setting the tire on the ground, placing a 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 (about 6' long) onto the tire so the edge is close to the rim, and drive my car up the board. I'd usually need to press the tire down in at least two places before it was completely off of the rim. Then turn it over, do the same on the other side, and then lube it up and spoon it off. However, if you're just installing a tube, you may be able to do this without pressing both sides of the tire off of the rim; press the outside (the side with the valve stem) off and work from there. I'd try to vacuum or blow out the inside of the tire before installing a tube. Dust the tube and the inside of the tire with some cornstarch or talc before installing; these will help the tube side into place more easily.

I agree that if you haven't done this before, getting the tire back on without pinching the tube can be tricky. Everyone who's anyone has pinched a tube. Try to always know where the tube is, and where the end of the tire spoon is, and as long as it's not the same place, you'll be okay. Dishwashing soap (if you don't have the real-deal tire lube) applied to the tire bead and the rim is essential whenever mounting and removing a tire.

A trick I've learned to seat the bead of tubeless tires onto the rim is to use a ratcheting strap clamp around the middle of the tire tread. Tighten it up and the bead moves outward; works every time.

These rims are not "safety Beads" so they break down much more easily.
Most times I can put both heals on them and a tire bar between my heals and
one hit with the #8 sledge and it is broken down, sometimes just my heals are all that is needed.
You can cut a liner patch from a old inner tube or another worn thin tire, but stay away from radials as they have wire in them.
I still have a liner or 2 around here from the 2nd world war days, that they put in tires because you could not buy tires during the war.
It is not cost effective for you, but M.e. Miller has or did have, large liners /patches/ boots for tires.
I did and still do all my tire work and used to run into some old stuff from those days while restoring the old farm tractors/equipment.
You just never know what you will find in a 50-70 year old tire/rim.
:bigthink:

If the inside of the wheel is all rusty and looks like it will just pop the tube you can wrap the center of the wheel in duck tape, this will keep the rough wheel from popping the tube.

I second the Slime. I just did 2 rear tires off of the parts tractor. One of my loaded tires started leaking and needed something temporary until I can tube that one. I picked up a gallon on sale a while back. I generally use less than they recommend and add more if needed. I put about 8 oz per 23 10.50 .That was 2 weeks ago and haven't lost a pound.

I can certainly appreciate you strapped $$$$ situation, but by the time you buy enough slime or an inner tube you are well on your way to spending money on something that may not work out as you wanted anyway. (not to mention killing yourself trying to install a tube).

My suggestion would be to check out your local Craigslist for something used that you could afford, maybe already on rims. You could also post a WTB (want to buy) ad. This forum also has the Trading Post section with For Sale and WTB posts. There might even be someone who would give away an old set that would get you by.

Now if you're REALLY hard up, I have a friend, (not hard up, he was just cheap) who filled a tire with wadded up rags. He worked on it all day and we laughed like hell at him but it worked for a good while.

I had two tires on a cub that I purchased that had great tread but big splits in the sidewalls from sitting on flats. I bought two tubes and for $5 or $10 a tire, the local tire store took the tires off the rims, put the tubes in, installed them back on the rims and inflated them for me. Still riding high!

Take a little bit of time to price check tubes (ag stores have them and maybe your local tire shop will, too), call your local tire shop and see how much for their bill; shop on craigslist for something local to purchase or check with any lawnmower repair shop for some quick fix. Whichever is most cost effective to get you back in action, then that is what I would do before your grass gets out of control.

Cub Cadet 123

The best deal I can find on tubes is about $18 bucks. I've already searched Craigslist and asked the one local shop I'll deal with (I won't deal with the other) and they didn't have used tires. I will ask them how much they'll charge for installing the tube (they wanted 25 for a tube), as I don't really relish that job if its tricky or could damage my tube.

The split is radial, running parallel to the tread in the center of the tread. I doubt slime will work because I don't think it'll hold air long enough for the slime to set up. Its a pretty quick leak.

I bought some tubes from summitracing for $5 apiece. not sure how much they are for your size, but doubt its much more. best bet is to put a wanted ad on craigs and find another set of rims and tires off something else. they used that rim and tire on everything for years.

Take it to a little hole in the wall tire place and see if they can put a tube in it for cheap.

:popcorn::popcorn:

I was quoted $12 for putting the tube in. I looked at Summit and don't see anything for less than the $17.23 tube from Sears, once I figure in shipping from Summit. So $30 bucks to get rolling, I guess, unless I decide to try doing it myself. For $12 I'm inclined not to

If I can muscle 38" tractor tires @ my age and remove replace tires/tubes, it is a walk in the park with a little 12" tire & tube.
it just ain't a big deal, but your call.
Yes tubes have gone up in price as well as tires, thank you bozo big ears in the white house :angry:
luck whatever you choose.:beerchug:

For $5 or $6 you could have tried Slime by now:Huh:

I don't need to spend 5-6 bucks. I already have some Slime. I'll take another look at it but I don't think Slime will work if it wont hold any air for more than a few seconds.

And ruined what was left of the tire.

Have you ever broke down a tire with slime in it, then tried to patch it or put a tube in it? You can't. It softens the rubber and vulcanizes it. You can't patch it after it's been slimmed. Then, the inside is so nasty and sticky, putting a tube in is near impossible.

Only way I'd ever use that green :censored: is if I was desperate and was going to replace the tire anyway.

OK, my manhood is sufficiently insulted enough for me to at least give it a try.

I understand being tight, and I've been there..... but never so freaking broke that I couldn't find a few bucks to buy a damn tube for a mower tire. I'm not trying to be a huge dick here, but this thread is kind of getting old. Either spend some cash, or go without a mower. I don't know your situation. Maybe you are unable to work.... I don't know... but at this point I can't figure out how you can afford to put gas in the damn thing.

I'm really sorry if you are under some kind of personal situation that doesn't let you have any spare money at all. I don't want to know, and don't need to know. That's your deal.... but we really, really can't help you anymore than we have.

JUST FIX IT, or go without a mower. Nothing more anyone can do for you here. It's going to cost at least a little money.... sorry.

You don't seem to need to try...but you might try reading.

Didn't you see where my original plan was to buy/ put in a tube? That was ahem...my idea. Post #1. My original plan is still looking like the best plan. It costs a little money. Yep, thanks for noting that. ;-)

:biggrin2:

I have tires that should have been replaced 5 years ago still going strong thanks to slime. A little soap and water and the wheels clean up fine. I wouldn't put it in something new, but whatever :BlahBlah:

Try puttin an ad in the wanted section, surely there is someone near you who has a couple of old skins laying around that they would let go of on the cheap.

If you lived close, I'd give you a couple of old tires that would hold air and get you by for awhile.

Mr Wayne:

There have been many responses to your situation. You will have to decide which suits you the best then act on it.