Tips Needed for Breaking Down Combat Rims

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

I picked up a set of combat rims that are not in the best condition. They've been outside in the elements for quite some time, but for the price I figured I'd take a chance and see if they're useable. The nuts came off just fine, but now I can't separate the outer rim from the inner rim. I've tried soaking in penetrating oil for days, heating the outer between the studs and smacking with a hammer to break the rust free.....but nothing is working. So I'm looking for some tips maybe I'm not thinking of. I don't want to keep pounding on the outer rim and end up distorting or bending it beyond repair. Right now I'm thinking my only other option is to put the whole thing in my big electrolysis tank and let 'er eat for awhile. Anybody have any good ideas before I go that route?

thanks,
bob

PS...yeah, I realize these rims are probably junk......but I at least have to see what they look like on the inside.....and I've never seen the mechanical bead lock thingy....so I want to see that too.

[Master Yota]

I didn't realize the combat wheels from the 40's-50's had bead locks in them..? Or are you referring to the more modern H1 style wheel?

[w30bob]

Hi Yoda,

Yes, the combat rims actually had a mechanical bead-lock that was inserted into the rim and pressed into place. The mechanism was sort of like a stainless steel watch band which has a dogleg that releases to open up the band. Look at the pic below and you can see the bead lock insert I'm talking about in the bottom right pic.

regards,
bob


Beadlock-2 by w30bob, on Flickr

[T. Highway]

Hi Bob,

I bought a set of these and I think the tires had been mounted in the 60s. I cut the old tires off with a circular saw so that I could use my Porta-power to ease the two halves apart a little at a time. The remainder of the tire bead I removed with allot of Dawn dish soap for lube, a tire spoon (Ken Tool) and BFH.

It was a good cardio vascular workout to say the least.

Bert

[Carter]

I loosened the nuts until they were half full of threads, set the compressors regulator to 40#, locked on the air chuck and inflated the tube 'til the rim popped loose. Maybe not the best way but it worked for me.

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Carter.....great idea! Let the air pressure do all the work. I'll try that first.....if that doesn't work it's on to Bert's cardiovascular workout with a Sawzall.

thanks,
bob

[Master Yota]

I'll be damned, its good to learn something new everyday; and here I was, one of the uneducated masses who figured bead locks were a new thing....lol

[w30bob]

Hi Master,

Yeah, it's amazing what's been thought of already. I find it fascinating to read magazines like Popular Mechanics, etc, from the early part of the century......most of what we think of as new inventions were thought up a long time ago....they were just ahead of their time or needed materials technology to catch up.

regards,
bob