Trick for Not Pinching Nosewheel Tubes?

[tx_jayhawk]

I am wondering if anyone has any neat tricks that might be followed for installing the nosewheel tube on an A model RV. I've now managed to pinch (pop) two, and I have another 3 on order (argh). I followed the tips in the manual (lube up tube and tire with baby powder, partially inflate tube, etc.), but I still seem to be having problems.

Apparently I am the first to have these challenges...I couldn't find anything in the archive. Anyone have any especially useful advice?

THanks,
Scott
7A Finishing

[frankh]

and partially inflate the tube.

the powder (I probably used glass beads from the epoxy kit) lubricates the tube so it slips up inside the tyre better.

Then engage the nuts on the bolts by like one thread and then stuff a piece of cardboard in between the gap to check there is no tube in between the pinchy edges before you fully tighten.

Frank

[Radomir]

Scott, it sounded scary, but I managed to do it w/o much trouble. Aside from baby powder, you may use some dish soap to lube up the inside edge of the tire to help it slide onto the rim easier. Also, I used the method mentioned in the RVator (last issue, last year) where you squeeze the tire with a few clamps... works good.

Good luck.

[Jerry Carter]

The tube gets pinched when you tighten the nuts on the wheel halves. I was able to avoid pinching the tube by pressing the wheel halves togther using several bar clamps, then tightening the nuts.

[pierre smith]

You can also use a vise. I have a woodworking bench with a wooden vise but you can tape a couple of paint stirrer sticks to the jaws of a steel vise and after you hear the metallic "clink" when you align the two wheel halves, that tells you that the tube is NOT pinched. Put it in the vise while holding the two halves tightly together and install the bolts and nuts.

An alternative is to use a piece of threaded rod and oversized washers. Put the rod through the center of the wheel and a washer on each side while you tighten the nuts by hand bringing the two halves slowly together, checking for any pinching,

Regards,

[Hawkeye7A]

I used 4 of the Irwin Qwik-Grip clamps. After placing the tube inside the tire you can use the clamps to squeeze the tire beads together so that they both are pressed onto one half of the wheel. This keeps the tube captive inside the tire so it doesn't even touch the wheel gap much less get pinched. Good luck.

[AlexPeterson]

It also helps to seat one bead of the tire on one wheel half. A small arbor press or a vise might help in this regard. This leaves more room for the tube as you bring the halves together.

There generally is no one who hasn't wrecked a tube or two on the nose wheel during assembly.

[N916K]

I cut strip of plastic about 1 inch wide from a round plastic bottle and put it between the tube and the rim. It keeps the tube from falling between the wheel halfs when putting the wheel together. It just stays under the tube until you instal a second one. Also tire talc works great. I use it on motorcycle tires all the time.

[trib]

I just installed my tubes last week and fortunately did not pinch any. For the nosewheel, I installed the bolts and initially tightened them until there was about 3/16" gap between the wheel halves to avoid pinching. My recollection is that this is where the nuts are just barely threaded on. I then used an inspection mirror (small dental type) and a flashlight an noticed the partially inflated tube protruded between the halves. I let out the air in the tube and (I assume it retained its shape at this point) and using a piece of popsicle stick inserted between the wheel halves, pushed any protuding tube back inside of the tire. I went around the circumference a couple of times and inspected with the mirror until I was as confident as I could be that the tube would not get pinched. I then tightened the bolts, inflated the tire and had no problems. They're still fully inflated.

[tx_jayhawk]

All good advice...I think I'll try a couple of these options in the next go-round. This is the sort of info that really makes this forum useful! I just wish I had more of the useful info to provide (instead of always requesting).

Thanks again,

Scott
7A Finishing