Mounting a tire using fire

[Shel_B]

There have been a few instances where I've seen tires mounted using fire. It seems that some sort of flamable liquid is brushed or sprayed around the wheel where the tire and rim meet, and then it's ignited. It appears that this technique helps the tire to seat to the rim.

Can anyone explain what's happening with this technique?

 

[TCL]

Explosion to seat the tire on the rim. They usually use spray ether starting fluid.

 

[Chris142]

Done it many times with starting fluid myself

 

[Shel_B]

Explosion to seat the tire on the rim. They usually use spray ether starting fluid.

Yeah, I get that it helps seat the tire on the rim. I mentioned that. I'd like to understand what's happening. How does it help seat the tire?

 

[Shel_B]

Done it many times with starting fluid myself

What makes it work? What's the science behind it? What happens when the mating surfaces burn?

 

[Nukeman7]

What makes it work? What's the science behind it? What happens when the mating surfaces burn?

The heat from the flash ignition of the ether/lighter fluid causes the air inside the tire to rapidly expand. The force of the air expanding propels the tire carcass/sidewalls enough to seat the bead on the rim. The mating surfaces won't burn since the "explosion" flames out within a second.

 

[nwjones18]

What makes it work? What's the science behind it? What happens when the mating surfaces burn?

Its simply blasting the tire onto the rim. In my experience you better have an air compressor handy to start adding air as soon as its blown on to the rim, or it will just deflate and draw itself back off the rim after the explosion is over and the air rapidly cools inside the tire.

 

[FowVay]

Rapid expansion of the air molecules inside of the encapsulated tire cause the tire to blow outward. Heat from the vaporized fuel and a heat source in the form of fire sets the action in motion. The air expands faster inside of the tire than it can escape and this causes the tire bead to seat on the wheel.

 

[Shel_B]

Rapid expansion of the air molecules inside of the encapsulated tire cause the tire to blow outward. Heat from the vaporized fuel and a heat source in the form of fire sets the action in motion. The air expands faster inside of the tire than it can escape and this causes the tire bead to seat on the wheel.

Now that's an answer to the question!

 

[JohnnyG]

Saw a video of a guy getting cut in half by doing that on a two piece truck rim.

 

[TCL]

What makes it work? What's the science behind it? What happens when the mating surfaces burn?

Saw a video of a guy getting cut in half by doing that on a two piece truck rim.

Most if not all split rims have a tube. No need to use the explosion method. However, if they did not have it in a cage and the split rims let loose while tube was pressurizing, yeah that'll hurt you.

 

[ripcord]

I used the ether bead set technique recently for my son's pickup as no amount of ratchet straps, bead sealer, cursing or prayer worked to get some stiff LT stock sized tires to seat on some wider than stock wheels. What nwjones18 mentions about being ready with air is true, especially if the valve stem seal is installed.

 

[RooflessVW]

What makes it work? What's the science behind it? What happens when the mating surfaces burn?

It's an explosion. Gas expands, bead seats.

Stretched a lot of tires this way. Usually 195/50R15 on a 15x10 or 11 wheel.

 

[Kira]

In many videos of this, immediately after the tire "expands", you can often see it shrink back down.

Spring compressors used in strut work are always held out as dangerous here.
I think playing around with explosive gases is more so.
I know people do it and I'm not usually "like that", but you can't ignore the variables.
Ether can spray output can vary. Since the wind can dissipate your gas, overdoing it on subsequent attempts is a real likelihood.

 

[ripcord]

In many videos of this, immediately after the tire "expands", you can often see it shrink back down.

Spring compressors used in strut work are always held out as dangerous here.
I think playing around with explosive gases is more so.
I know people do it and I'm not usually "like that", but you can't ignore the variables.
Ether can spray output can vary. Since the wind can dissipate your gas, overdoing it on subsequent attempts is a real likelihood.

You're not wrong. I've done it but don't recommend it.

 

[RooflessVW]

In many videos of this, immediately after the tire "expands", you can often see it shrink back down.

Spring compressors used in strut work are always held out as dangerous here.
I think playing around with explosive gases is more so.
I know people do it and I'm not usually "like that", but you can't ignore the variables.
Ether can spray output can vary. Since the wind can dissipate your gas, overdoing it on subsequent attempts is a real likelihood.

Don't be scared.

 

[Kira]

Hey, I walk around during lightning storms wearing golf shoes, carrying an umbrella held as high as I can.
I ain't scared o' nothin'.

 

[Ursatdx]

Had to do it 4 times to seat the 48" tires on the A3.
The valve stems were inside the wheels to protect the CTIS components and the
seals were leaking and replaced.

 

[meep]

How much is too much spray?

 

[AutoMechanic]

My dad said back in the 70s when he was growing up they used to use gasoline most of the time.