What’s the Best way to separate this rim?

[novadose74]

Hi, this rim is off a Thomas wacky, chopper, want to know what’s the best way to separate it without damaging it?

 

[Steve73]

I always let wd40 soak around the bead of the tire where it meets the rim. Once that is good to go then gently try to separate the rim.

 

[novadose74]

The tire bead is actually pretty loose, Im looking for the best way to separate the rim halves

 

[Studeman68]

The tire bead is actually pretty loose, Im looking for the best way to separate the rim halves

You already have the bolts removed, air the tire/tube up very slightly and it should spread the wheel halves apart.. but do it it carefully.... may need to add some penetrating oil into the seam where they meet and let it soak. Just be careful and don't over do it with the air...

 

[novadose74]

You already have the bolts removed, air the tire/tube up very slightly and it should spread the wheel halves apart.. but do it it carefully.... may need to add some penetrating oil into the seam where they meet and let it soak. Just be careful and don't over do it with the air...

Awesome! Thank you. I’ll give it a try

 

[Studeman68]

Awesome! Thank you. I’ll give it a try

If it doesn't "pop" leave some air pressure in it overnight and soak the hell out of the seams in the middle.. also.. And I'll stress carefully.. you can use a smaller non marring hammer to "tap" (not bang) on the wheel to help. Stay away tom the lip area with the hammer..

 

[bullseye670]

I just drop the wheel on a carpeted floor and they seem to pop apart. Good idea with the air. Be careful!

 

[sparkwizard]

Put a couple of bearings in it, install an axle bolt and nut. Put about 10 PSI in it and start loosening the bolt while tapping the wheel.
Auto trans fluid will soak in there. It is safe to leave air in it overnight as long as that axle bolt is in there.

 

[novadose74]

Great! Thanks for the advice, will try it after work today!

 

[superflea]

If your going to use the air trick, Wrap a chain thru the rim and around the tire. Then secure chain. I used to change split rim truck tires and if a locking ring came loose it could take your head off as it did at another garage way back when. We would put them in a big Steel cage to inflate them.

 

[novadose74]

Worked like a charm! I took a little portable air compressor and did a little at a time and watched the rim slowly split apart

 

[Triley41395]

Worked like a charm! I took a little portable air compressor and did a little at a time and watched the rim slowly split apart

What was holding it together? Just corrosion?

 

[novadose74]

i think it was old grease or something. there was hardened material on the inner tube. I’m pretty sure the rim and tire is original. There was a ton of grease between the bearings.

 

[novadose74]

Since I got the rim apart, started to clean it a bit

 

[novadose74]

rim is cleaned up, new tire