Fix a flat?

[James331]

After seeing some aircraft stranded by flats, thought I'd take a poll on how many people

A ) can change their tubes/tires

B ) carry a tube and some tools


For myself, I carry a tube for my bow wheel and main, but not a FULL set of tools (which would include big ol' floor jack) but enough that I could stop by any auto parts place or a tow truck and borrow or buy the couple things I'd need to do the job.

In my experience the biggest issue is people not having a tube or knowing how to do the job.


Thought I'd ask.

 

[cgrab]

For my annual this year I replaced both main tires and tubes because one was worn out. Now I have a spare tire and two tubes. I have the tools and a small bottle jack so I would need to find some cribbing to get the plane up to change a tire. I've been looking for a replacement nose wheel so I can have all the same size all around. I guess if the nose went flat I'd be in trouble.

 

[Ted]

I don't personally carry tires or tubes as spares. Knock on wood, I've never been stranded by a flat tire or a blown tube. I also generally go with high end tires/tubes when I buy them, which seems to have paid dividends for me. I get a lot of life out of tires. Of course, I'm also not doing training in the 414 and landings/braking is easy. So they live an easy life.

I carry minimal spares. A magneto and a set of tools are the big things I keep on-hand. Most of the time I can get myself back in the air quickly with that. If it's more significant I'm going to need shop help anyway, since I don't carry a jack around. Useful load comes at a premium on this plane, so I don't want to carry around extra stuff just for fun.

 

[murphey]

I always have at least one tube and tire in the hangar. But not having jacks, I can't change the tire. Traveling, the shop/fbo does it.
On the car, it takes less than 10 min to empty the trunk, then 15 to change the tire. Faster if it's raining.

Something I've wondered about for years....
Is FBO the generic term for any business based at the airport? Is the restaurant an FBO?

 

[Stewartb]

Before I switched to tubeless Bushwheels I always carried a spare tailwheel tube. Changing it is easy if you have the tools. If you're going to carry a tube you should try changing one with the tools you carry. You'll probably add a couple of things your tool bag as a result.

 

[Grum.Man]

I keep a spare tire and tube in the Venture but not tools. I figure the odds of finding tools locally is a lot better than finding a tire and tube. I do not keep one in the Grumman though.

 

[James331]

I don't personally carry tires or tubes as spares. Knock on wood, I've never been stranded by a flat tire or a blown tube. I also generally go with high end tires/tubes when I buy them, which seems to have paid dividends for me. I get a lot of life out of tires. Of course, I'm also not doing training in the 414 and landings/braking is easy. So they live an easy life.

I carry minimal spares. A magneto and a set of tools are the big things I keep on-hand. Most of the time I can get myself back in the air quickly with that. If it's more significant I'm going to need shop help anyway, since I don't carry a jack around. Useful load comes at a premium on this plane, so I don't want to carry around extra stuff just for fun.

I'm just not sure about tubes, I get the good stuff too, but I still had both bow wheel tubes (think tailwheel size) fail, both were under a year old and I don't exactly prang the thing onto the runway.

 

[Ted]

I'm just not sure about tubes, I get the good stuff too, but I still had both bow wheel tubes (think tailwheel size) fail, both were under a year old and I don't exactly prang the thing onto the runway.

Interesting. I've never had that, but who knows. I may have just been lucky.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

I tried something new for me last time I replaced a tire....I re-used the old tube.


btw......that was 5 years ago and it still holds air.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Breaking the bead can be less than easy (depending on circumstances, and what you have handy to hillbilly your way through the job).

Any secrets you would care to share?

 

[FORANE]

I carry everything needed to fix a flat. flats are not uncommon with the tiny tires on my lancair.
No jack needed as I can raise the wing with my back and slip a block under the gear leg.
A few tools to r&r the tube/tire.
A compact high pressure bicycle pump to inflate. I know some who carry co2 cartridges and a small co2 tool to inflate.

 

[Fearless Tower]

My MLG wheels are tubeless. I do have a complete spare tailwheel (complete ready to go wheel and tire) plus jack in the nose.

 

[mondtster]

For myself, I carry a tube for my bow wheel and main, but not a FULL set of tools (which would include big ol' floor jack) but enough that I could stop by any auto parts place or a tow truck and borrow or buy the couple things I'd need to do the job.

In my experience the biggest issue is people not having a tube or knowing how to do the job.

Anything other than a standard 500-5 or 600-6 tire and tube is something I'd carry a tube for, or maybe a patch kit at the very least and a way to inflate the tire. I have seen very few places that have any spare tires or tubes sitting around for anything other than a 172 or Cherokee size tire. Especially tailwheel sized tires and tubes.

It is even more important in the more remote areas of the country.

I'm just not sure about tubes, I get the good stuff too, but I still had both bow wheel tubes (think tailwheel size) fail, both were under a year old and I don't exactly prang the thing onto the runway.

I'm far from an experienced float plane pilot or mechanic but it seems that the bow wheels I've had apart like to pick up water and chafe the tube and tire a bit. I actually just changed one myself since it mysteriously went flat after the last time I flew it. No hard landings for me either.

 

[Clark1961]

My MLG wheels are tubeless. I do have a complete spare tailwheel (complete ready to go wheel and tire) plus jack in the nose.

What does Jack think about that? Or is that a shot of Jack in the nose?

 

[James331]

Breaking the bead can be less than easy (depending on circumstances, and what you have handy to hillbilly your way through the job).

Any secrets you would care to share?

Break a bead?? Ive only had two piece wheels, take the nuts off and the wheel separates in half

 

[FORANE]

Break a bead?? Ive only had two piece wheels, take the nuts off and the wheel separates in half

The wheel separates but some of the smaller tires can be stubborn, they don't want to let go of their rim-half.

 

[Ted]

Break a bead?? Ive only had two piece wheels, take the nuts off and the wheel separates in half

Last time I did that on the 310 it was a bit of a pain to get off. Needed some screwdrivers and tahr ahrns.

 

[James331]

The wheel separates but some of the smaller tires can be stubborn, they don't want to let go of their rim-half.

Mine have always been easy and they are submerged in water quite often.

Guess in that case a rubber mallet and your inner anger

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Break a bead?? Ive only had two piece wheels, take the nuts off and the wheel separates in half

I have the two piece wheels as well. Take the nuts off, then you have two half rims firmly stuck to the tire.
How I did it last time (after splitting the two halves, digging out the tire irons, etc.)

 

[Stewartb]

A short 2x4 placed end-wise and a big hammer will free wheel from tire easy when the wheel is wider than the tire. With big tires I need to make a support for the bottom side of the wheel for it to work because the tire is wider than the wheel. Still, that part's easier than trying to bolt the brakes back up with big tires, especially 29" Air Hawks on 10" wheels.

 

[Clip4]

Breaking the bead can be less than easy (depending on circumstances, and what you have handy to hillbilly your way through the job).

Any secrets you would care to share?

I have a vice in my shop and just squeeze the tire at various points and it comes loose.

 

[FORANE]

I hear silicone spray around the bead works well.