Non Commie Tailwheel tire

[gbarrier]

Thanks, just ordered one up.

Probably ten years ago when we bought the Maule it had a McCreary tire. It was flat when I taxied in from flying it home. They are very flexible and really need 50 or so psi to keep from trashing them. Took out a couple tubes before I figured that out. Then went to thicker heavier one sold by Desser and have had no more trouble. Still this looks like a sure thing. The solid tire on the small Maule tailwheel on our Champ has been there for over 30 years and still looks fine.

[drak130]

Andy,

Any issues getting the tire on the rim? Tricks/ techniques?

Tim

[drak130]

Never mind I backtracked on the thread an saw the “tips and techniques “

[andy]

Tim, if you need more info on getting the tire onto the rim, here's some. I used talcum powder to make it easier to push the rim halves into the tire. It was a little tricky to line up the bolts holes exactly and I had to pull one rim half out a few times to reposition it. Talcum powder made that a lot easier. I decided not to use soapy water instead of talcum powder because once it dries, it's pretty hard to remove the rim halves. Once the rim halves are pressed into the tire enough to thread the nuts onto the bolts, then you can tighten the nuts gradually and evenly to fully seat the rim halves to the proper torque. Don't forget the cardboard gasket between the rim halves before you start this process. It came with the new rims from Airframes Alaska. If you're putting the tire on older rims that don't have a gasket, you could probably just cut one from a manila file folder. That's the right thickness. You could use a vise to press the rim halves together before you put the bolts in but I just put it on a thin pad on the concrete floor and stood on the top rim since I didn't want to mar the rims. I think a rubber mallet would work too. You have to keep an eye on the small x on the axle head to properly locate the keeper washer when you put the wheel on the axle. Hope that helps.

[drak130]

Helps a lot, thank you sir!

[8kcab]

Hate to bring up an old thread. But I finally dug this tire out to replace my severely cracked tube tire. Seems it does not fit the Maule wheel, too small inner diameter to even slide over. If somebody has any ideas I"m all ears, otherwise I'll let it go to someone in need.

[Andy Young]

It fits very, very tight. Some spray silicone on the tire helps. And a lot of pressure. I’ve done it by standing on it.

[flyusn99]

I mounted mine using a bit of soapy water and a vice. It takes a little effort but it’ll go on…

James

[8kcab]

Offda, I'll find a big vice/clamp and keep working at it. Thanks.

[flyusn99]

Yeah, it’s been awhile but I recall having to relieve a bit of the manufactured seam on the inner portion of the tire. Then using the soapy water I started one half of the wheel then rotated it pressed a little more then rotated and pressed then rotated and pressed until the first half was in. Then used the bolts the make sure the lineup was correct on the second half and repeated the process until it was together. I might have used extra long bolts for the alignment process then used the correct length bolts once it was together..
Good luck. It looks great when done. Haven’t flown it at all though as the rebuild process is still in progress..

James

[8kcab]

Got it on with quite a bit of elbow grease. Thanks for the tips!