New tires

[MooneyBob]

I am about to change my tires on my J. I have 600-6 on mains and 500-5 on the nose.

1. Do you recommend to change the tubes as well?

2. What are the tubes sizes / valve angel? ( too lazy to search )

3. Recommended tubes

4. Any concerns when disassembling wheels? Any advices?

Thank you very much.

[Hank]

Dave,

Airplane tires are simple. When you change a tire change the tube, too. I highly recommend Michelin Leak Stop tube, they work very well. Can't help you with the size, my A&P always bought them for me. Put some powder inside the tire first, it helps the tube slide into place.

I think it's strange that the FAA allows us to remove brakes,r emove and disassemble wheels and replace tires and tubes, but forbids us to replace brake pads while they are taken apart . . .

Good luck, have fun and let us know how things go.

[rbridges]

you'll get recommendations for everything, but everyone seems to agree to get good tubes when you change tires.  I went with michelin airstops.  Flight custom III on the mains and flight special II on the front.  Just what I decided was best for me.

 

I believe there is only one valve available for the front.  I can't remember the one for the mains.

 

edit-looked up my old orders.  TR-20 valve for the main, TR-67 on front.

[yvesg]

About two years ago, the mechanic who re-installed the controls after a paint job notified me of cracks on the passenger side tire. I gave the go ahead to fix it. He did not ask if I recall right to replace the tube too. But being an honorary CB club member, I would probably have said... if it is still good just keep it there.

4 weeks ago I went to the aircraft and guess what... that side was down... tube had cracks... it is pay me now or pay me later.

Yves

[cnoe]

I'd advise you to not buy a tire/tube package unless the tube is brand-name (preferable Michelin LeakStop from what I've gleaned).

 

Desser sold me a nice Michelin tire several months ago with their LeakGuard tube (package deal) and I spent an hour blocking the local taxiway last week on my rim with the gear-door resting on the asphalt waiting for a fix. The air pressure was verified on spec and the valve stem separated from the tube while taxiing. The tire was fine.

 

All three of my tires have been replaced in the past 12 months but I'm pulling them off to install better tubes soon.

 

Cnoe

[M20F]

Change the tubes, use tire talc (not baby powder, you can find it at Wagaero and similar places), use whatever for the tires. In GA you will dry rot before you ever wear out or you will get a bald spot because you land with the brakes on. Either way buying expensive tires is a waste IMHO.

[N201MKTurbo]

I'm a CB so I only replace the tubes when they fail. On my old plane I had tubes that lasted through 5 tires. it seems that they always fail for me when I'm changing the tire. I have never had one go flat while flying. (knock on wood). I'm not recommending anything, just telling you what I do.

 

Maybe the tubes like the heat and dry air.

[DonMuncy]

Thanks N201MKTurbo. Its good to hear the other side of the story sometimes. In spite of our CB tendencies, we very often succumb to the "it only costs a little more, so why take a chance" theory. I do it just like everyone else. But when you read about the guys who have a stem break off a new tube, perhaps the "better a proven used one than an unknown new one" theory has some validity.

[carqwik]

When you switch to more expensive brand-name tires, your landings get better....

[DonMuncy]

Like how much smoother you car seems to run after an oil change.

[MyNameIsNobody]

When you switch to more expensive brand-name tires, your landings get better....

Does that mean you don't hit the brakes and flat spot a tire...like another poster? Sweet.

[Hank]

When you switch to more expensive brand-name tires, your landings get better....

You want some sweet landings, replace your original 42-year old pucks with some new ones. Taxiing is wonderful, and the first landings are indescribable.

(Hey, it's not my fault, the old ones were upside down, I thought they said "6-96", but when removed they said "6-69".

[Andy95W]

I'm a CB so I only replace the tubes when they fail. On my old plane I had tubes that lasted through 5 tires. it seems that they always fail for me when I'm changing the tire. I have never had one go flat while flying. (knock on wood). I'm not recommending anything, just telling you what I do.

Same here unless there is an obvious defect. If I had the old style tubes, I would replace them with the new butyl ones. Hardly ever have to add air.

[Av8]

I replaced tires on my J shortly after purchase last year - as part of general "fixing and updating" - one of the mains was worn and flat spotted.

 

Spoke with 3 mechanics for advice- all recommended Goodyear or Michelin - and told tales of "retreads hanging up in the wells" for various reasons - all 3rd hand / OWT stories not 1st hand experience.

 

I went with Desser retreads - if you read the info the standards are high, and flight schools & commercial outfits use them all the time.  I agree with other posters - dry rot not tread wear will be the cause for any future tire placement on my 200hr/year lifestyle even with monthly pattern sessions with 10-12 landings... 

 

I did not change tubes... they were butyl type and in good condition - knock on wood...  Proper inflation is important to health of both tube and tire.

[Hank]

My experience belies the "dry rot before they wear out" stories that everyone likes to hear.

 

I bought my C in June 07; age of tires unknown.

 

I replaced the nose tire in late 08 because there was no tread left on it. Condor off, Condor on again. Did my Instrument work in late 09 & early 10.

 

Replaced treadless main tires in 11 or 12--actually only the outer third of each tire was bald, there was still some tread on the inside; went with Goodyear Flight Customs [not II or III, they cost much more for little benefit other than speed ratings higher than my gear speed].

 

Annual at the end of 13 I again replaced my treadless nose tire with another Condor, and did all of the pucks.

 

Each time was tire & tube [Michelin Air Stops]. The new tubes are great! Hardly ever need to add air. Tread holding up well all around. My landings are smoother with the new pucks, they made much more difference than the new tires.

 

FWIW, YMMV, etc.