A bead breaker is a tool used to remove tires from rims on vehicles. It compresses the tire and lifts the bead off the rim without damaging any components. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the tire and rim.
A bead breaker is a tool used to remove tires from rims on automobiles and other vehicles. This tool is sometimes referred to as a ball breaker or tire lever, depending on the specific design and intended application. Bicycle tires, for example, can be removed with simple tire levers; These little plastic levers can be inserted between the tire and the rim and used to pry the tire bead off the rim. Larger vehicles require the use of larger tools to break the beads, as tire rubber can be much stiffer and heat and rust can form a seal between the tire and rim.
When a tire is mounted on a rim, the tire bead forms a seal between that rim and the rim itself so that air can be trapped inside. If the tire goes flat for any reason, it must be removed for repair, but the bead may still be attached to the metal rim. Thus, a bead breaker is used to compress the tire, insert a lever device between the bead and the rim, and lift that bead off the rim without damaging any of the components. Some bead breaking tools have hydraulic cylinders to facilitate this movement, while others simply use natural lever forces.
Motorcycle bead breaking tools are generally smaller than those used on cars, trucks, and other large vehicles, although motorcycle tires can also be difficult to remove. In some cases, a long metal crowbar can be inserted between the bead and the rim, and then moved around the circumference of the rim to free the entire bead. Once one side of the tire is free of the rim, the rest of the tire can usually be easily removed, although the tire lever or bead breaker may also need to be used on the second count.
One of the risks when using a bead breaker is damage to the tire and rim. If leverage is exerted directly on the rim, it can cause pitting, rutting, burrs and other damage which in turn can damage the tire and diminish the aesthetic value of the components. The tire bead can also be damaged if too much force is applied to it. Bikes usually use tubes inside the tire to hold air, and using a tire lever or breaker can pinch the tube, leading to a flat.
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