Changing a brake or wheel rim requires some knowledge and skill, so it is worth having the right ones for the job. Luckily, there are many different ways to do a rim change.
A rim change is typically done by removing one leg of the existing tire and placing the new one in its place. This process may be done simultaneously or later depending on where the new tire is mounted.
The old tire may be left in place or removed completely depending on how much space needs to be created for the new one. Once that is done, you can now install a new Rim & Spoke Set!
This article will talk about some of the tools needed to change rims and/or install Rims & Wheelsets into a Wheel Rebuild.
Contents:
Wrench set
A wrench is an important part of changing a brake or tires. Most wrenches are round or square, not metric. That is why it is difficult to change tires and brakes without one!
We recommend the trustworthy Bison Wrench Set for most brake and tire changes. It comes with twelve assorted sized wrenches in various lengths, making it easy to change both front and rear brakes and a tire.
These wrenches are also round, making it easy to put on and take off fast. Just make sure you get a w-shaped one, as this one will prevent the spring section from coming out when tightening the bolts.
Bullet point stress point: When changing tires or braking pads on front wheels, check for possible wheel pegs around the edge of the tread. If there are any visible cuticles or scantuaries, they may break when you screw in the new tire or brake pad.
Brake cleaner
Changing a brake’s cleaning is a step that may be overlooked by most. While Cycle World does not suggest removing the brake pads to clean, it does suggest using a different cleans for each pad.
The right cleaner for the job will make a big difference in how your brakes are cleaned. Some cleaners are more durable than others, which is why some brake pads may need to be replaced more frequently.
Knowing how to use and buy brake cleaner is key to changing your brakes. Many brands offer products that can be bought at auto shops, but I recommend checking them out yourself first!
Checking whether or not the new brake cleaner works with your tires and foreign objects caught on your brakes should be done before attempting to wash and dry them.
New rotors
Brakes are a very limited resource. With enough rotors, you can go out and do some wheel standing, wheel changing, or full brakeerson! The limit is your car’s brake pads.
If you have been keeping your brakes healthy by replacing the rotors every year or so, then you are limited to how much new rotor you can put on your car.
Theoretically, a new rotor will take you back to original specification of diameter and thickness, but there is no rule about that. If it doesn’t look like new anymore, maybe it’s time to buy another one!
New rotors can be tricky to install. There are many companies that sell new rotor sets that come with instructions and tools. It would help if they had helpful videos though.
New brake pads
brakes can need changing every few months, or even every few years. That is if you are being careful! Many people replace their pads just because they are wearing away at the surface.
To prevent this, they would put new pads in before the old ones were worn away. After that, they could keep changing the pads as needed, or not at all.
Some brakes require more frequent replacement than others. The standard range of pads are 6-8 weeks apart in appearance and use. This is a good guideline to follow if you are having trouble staying within your normal replacement window.
Guidelines such as the new pad arriving within 6–8 weeks or 8–12 weeks would help to keep things on track and avoid needless overspending of equipment.
Lug wrench
When changing your brake pads or Rotor, you will need the lug wrench. This tool can be purchased at many auto parts stores, or you can make one yourself at home using a nut and bolt.
The lug wrench is used to remove the large outer ring of the brake pad or rotor. This ring must be able to be seated into the bottom ring of the rotor and held there with a bolt. Once this happens, there are several different techniques used to replace the rotor and/or pad.
Using a standard brake pad or rotors can be eaten into two major parts. The first is when the pads are changed, because then new ones have to be put on over old ones. The second is when removing old pads or changing new ones, because then new ones have to be used up.
To help prevent these problems, it is best to have the ability to change both brakes separately.
Jacks
If your car has a hard time getting off the ground, its front wheels may need to be boosted with an additional jack. This can be done by using a standard car jack as a boost.
Once this happens, you can now use the additional help from the standard car jacks to rotate and tilt the car so you can remove the wheels. Once that is done, you can replace the tires and install your new ones!
Using a second regular car jock as a boost is very easy. Just buy another set of keys and put them in the same apartment complex as your new set of keys.
Wheel chocks
When changing a flat, regular tire for a bike tire, some tools can be useful. One of the most useful tools for changing a wheel is the Chock It! kit. This kit comes with four small tree-shaped objects that are placed on the rim of the tire to create a stronger anchoring point when putting on the new tire.
Using these chocks will save you some time when trying to put on the new tires, and will also prevent your bike from moving when it is being mounted and riding. Another useful tool is a wheel brush. While not necessary, brushing your wheels will help them look cleaner than with just a dry cloth.
Many professionals use riding gloves as safety gear. Buy safe riding gloves that are appropriate for your size and use, so you do not hinder your ability to change bikes or grip the handlebars.
Manual valve tool
Changing brake pads or shoes requires a special tool. A manual valve tool. These are sold at most hardware stores as a replacement for removing and replacing the brake lines. They come in various sizes and are designed to facilitate this change by removing the old pad or shoe and placing it on the new one to be replaced.
Most commonly, the valve tool is used with brake pads. When buying new pads, make sure that the seller has used the tool to put on the new pad. If not, make sure that it is functioning properly before buying a new one.