FMTV/Michelin XML Tire Breakdown Part I
Project Improvise Adapt and Overcome!!
With the upcoming rally, I'm trying to get this project completed before then. I have purchased a total of 9 FMTV wheels most wiith 395 Michelin XML's mounted on them (thanks Ray!!!). I also bought 7 Goodyear MV/T's as mentioned earlier.
This is a two part project in that the FMTV wheels are being married to Goodyear MV/T's for the M923 project. The Michelin XML 395/85/20 tires are going on my 1968 M35A2 (AKA Behr Paint truck).
I've had most of these wheels for months now. Just haven't been motivated to do anything with them. My recent purchase of the MV/T's got me motivated.
I'm the type of guy who doesn't feel right having another guy do my work. Although there are a some who have no problems standing watch as other's do their work, I'm not that type of guy. My approach is to get in there and just do it. How else is a guy going to learn and pass along knowledge to those who need it. The old saying of why give them fish when you can teach them how to fish comes to mind.
I was a bit concerned by this project due to shear size of the tires and the weight. Without an engine hoist or forklift to assist, I had to come up with some good ole ingenuity to pull this one off.
First order of business was to figure out where to do this project. My driveway came to mind but found the flat nature of the concrete was a disadvantage. I then moved to my backyard and used a nice concave area in my yard to help. The idea was to use the slope to assist in lifting the tires up....it worked. I basically just used things that were lying around my garage or backyard to do the work. The only purchases thus far were the HFT 15/16" deep socket for the FMTV wheel nuts ($2.97 clearance), two Harbor Freight Tool pry bars ($9.99 each), and PB Blaster.
Now to the steps I used to break these wheels/tires down:
As you all know, the FMTV wheel is a two piece rim. In order to break it down you need to separate the two pieces. But first you need to break the beads (contact of rubber with wheel)
I just stepped on the tire (make sure air is out of tire
) to create a gap for the first pry tool. Then just use both pry tools to step them in until you make contact with the inside of the wheel. Then just put all your weight on the pry tools to lift the outer ring up. After this then just walk the pry bars around the outer wheel. I only had to step the pry bars around about 1/3 of the way before the bead release. Just lift the ring and place it aside and then just simply flip the tire over and repeat.
Once you release the bead on the heavy side of the two piece rim then stand the tire up. From here just walk your pry bar around to back the wheel off. When you get close to the wheel to fall on the ground, the valvestem will get hung up on the wheel. From here just use the pry bar to lift the tire up over the stem and the wheel will fall to the deck.
Total time for one wheel was about 20 minutes. It gets faster once you get two out of the way
Projects Completed:
-Divorced Michelin XML's from FMTV wheels (6 wheels to go
)
Pics:
1-My HFT 3/4" Impact wrench and PB Blaster to get the 15/16" nuts off the FMTV wheels.
2-FMTV wheel with the 15/16" nuts removed. Ready for pryin' time.
3-A dip in my yard used to do my dismounting
4-My tools for breaking the beads on the tire.
5-Positioned the 4x4 post up slope from the wheel so you can use the slope to your advantage when flipping the tire
6-Using two pry bars to "walk" it around the rim to break the bead. No heavy hammers needed here
7-Ready to flip the tire. I use the metal bar to lift the tire then use the post to further lift the post
8-Once you get the tire up to a manageable angle use your leg to hold the tire in place so you can get your hands on the tire to push it up.
9-Rotate the tire and drop it on the 4x4 post to break the bead on the opposing side
10-Stepping on the tire to create a gap to put the initial pry bar in
Next order of business is to locate a source for the correct FMTV O-rings. They are 3/8" (0.375") in circum. with an inside diamter of 19". From all indications, they are manuf by the Titan Wheel Company. I have an email in them to track them down. Will advise.
Part #: OR420A
NSN: 5331-01-389-6028
12420343
Update on the O-ring (05JUL12), couldn't track any down. Took the o-rings to Les Schwab to see if they had a match. The big tire guy looked at the o-rings and questioned why I was looking for new ones. He inspectected mine and said you can't get brand new one's to look better than what I brought in. He said so long as there aren't any cuts or major deformities, then just reuse them with some tire lube...no problem I said