M35A3 wheel beadlocks

[Sgt Jiggins]

Hi,

Apparently the beadlock to run 395/85R20s on an M35A3 wheel is not 7.5" wide. Nor 8.0" wide.

Before I pull the trigger on buying the correct size, and go through all that work, I wanted to ask: what is it?

Thanks,
SJ/JD

 

[HDN]

I was under the impression the ones that came with the stock 14.5R20 tires would work with the 395s, but that's not the case?

I found your beadlock insert removal thread from a couple months ago and @tobyS mentioned something about different sized beadlocks. 10 or 11 inches wide? I haven't gotten a rim apart yet but I imagine they'd have to be close to the rim width.

M35A3 bead lock suggestions

Hello All, For those of us who are still struggling to find where Soldier B disappeared to... I (along with couple buddies) was able to get a M35A3 tire mounted the other week. But man, it was no small effort to get that bead lock installed. Even with copious amounts of tire lube. Which...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[country]

these were removed from 14.5 x 20 tires



MA3-674-Rubber | Hutchinson 20 X 11 Rubber Beadlock for 14.5 x 20 Super Single Tire
Hutchinson 20 X 11 Rubber Beadlock for M35A3, M36A3, M109A4 2 ½ Ton Trucks
NSN #: 2530-01-398-2022
Part #: RCSK-15406, RCSK15406
Price: $49.00

 

[gringeltaube]

these were removed from 14.5 x 20 tires

Those will work for 395s, as well.

 

[HDN]

It sounds like the stock bead locks should work with the 395s then. Phew! @Sgt Jiggins is there a reason to believe why your A3 14.5 tires might not have them already and pull them out?

 

[tobyS]

The ones that work on A3 wheels, like Dave shows above for the 11" wide wheel, which say 20x11, actually measure 10" wide. Same is in the 14.5.

 

[country]

We removed these from M939 tires



TI-276 | 20" x 8" Beadlock Tire Application Bead Locker
20" inch x 8" inch Beadlock for LMTV / FMTV, M54, M809, M939, M939A1, M939A2 and MRAP Vehicles equipped with super single tires
NSN #: 2530-01-370-5462
Part #: 12414420, T1001, BL-0093
Price: $49.00

 

[Sgt Jiggins]

Hey man, thank for offering. Already have that size and it doesn't work. Negotiations for 10" beadlocks underway.

 

[gringeltaube]

... Already have that size and it doesn't work

Yup, they are too narrow for the A3's 20x11" wheels

 

[HDN]

I didn't realize the 5-ton super single rims were narrower than the A3 rims. But they're a wider diameter?

EDIT: Nevermind, I see the 5-ton bead locks are the same diameter as the A3. Just curious if they're lighter or they just use thicker steel.

 

[tobyS]

I didn't realize the 5-ton super single rims were narrower than the A3 rims. But they're a wider diameter?

EDIT: Nevermind, I see the 5-ton bead locks are the same diameter as the A3. Just curious if they're lighter or they just use thicker steel.

The Henderson 20 x 11 are entirely rubber like Dave (Eastern) posted above. I have not seen steel ones for A3 wheels.

 

[HDN]

The Henderson 20 x 11 are entirely rubber like Dave (Eastern) posted above. I have not seen steel ones for A3 wheels.

I meant the rims. I'd hate to have metal beadlock inserts - just another corrosion headache!

 

[tobyS]

Just discovered that these A3 beadlocks, Hutchesin 11 x 20 have different weight. Now I see a difference in the thickness. Rubber of one is about an inch thick and the other is 3/4. The thicker would seem to put more pressure than the thinner one.

To me, this suggests that we have some choice in a really tight or not, beadlock.

For my mostly highway and farm, I'll stick to the thinner....a whopping 7 pounds less.

 

[HDN]

Just discovered that these A3 beadlocks, Hutchesin 11 x 20 have different weight. Now I see a difference in the thickness. Rubber of one is about an inch thick and the other is 3/4. The thicker would seem to put more pressure than the thinner one.

To me, this suggests that we have some choice in a really tight or not, beadlock.

For my mostly highway and farm, I'll stick to the thinner....a whopping 7 pounds less.

How much do both beadlock inserts actually weigh? I've heard 30-40 lbs.

 

[tobyS]

One weighs 37# and the other 29#.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Do we need bead locks in civilian use? I dread the day, I need to pull them out and reinstall in new tires.

 

[HDN]

Do we need bead locks in civilian use? I dread the day, I need to pull them out and reinstall in new tires.

Unless you're using a CTIS, I don't think so. I want to keep beadlock inserts installed on my tires with the thought that if I have a fast leak or blowout while driving that the tire won't separate from the rim, assuming the whole tire isn't destroyed.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Yeah I use CTIS, so they're needed then?

 

[HDN]

Yeah I use CTIS, so they're needed then?

Unless you want your tires losing air and falling off the rim when they're run at lower pressures, yes

I believe the way beadlock inserts work is that they keep the tire bead pressed and seated against the rim regardless of tire pressure, keeping the rest of the air in the tire from escaping when the lower tire pressure would otherwise unseat the bead and break the seal against the rim.

I haven't gotten to the point where I've been able to actually see how these go in and out of the tire first hand, but I plan on trying the ratchet strap method when I take them out of my old 14.5s and install them in my 395s.

 

[gringeltaube]

I haven't gotten to the point where I've been able to actually see how these go in and out of the tire first hand, but I plan on trying the ratchet strap method when I take them out of my old 14.5s and install them in my 395s.

Unlike the solid rubber runflats these "rubber band-type" beadlocks can be installed with bare hands and no tools required. Good lubrication (with tire soap) helps a lot.