How do beadlocks work? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

GubNi · 03-20-2004, 03:40 PM

I understand the concept of keeping the tire from breaking loose at low pressure, but how do they do that? I understand Hummer rims, but they are only available in 8" wide, right? So I'm thinking maybe beadlocks might be good, but I don't understand how they work and all the pics I see are from the front. I'd like to see across the width of the rim. From what I can figure there are just some screw that go through the rim and into the rubber. Why should you buy special rims verses just drill and screw the current rims? I've heard that people like 15" rims because of the safety bead and that 16.5" rims don't have that. Is that true? I'm running 1 ton axles and perfer the 16.5" so I don't have to grind so much. Thanks!

Otto Man · 03-20-2004, 05:14 PM

Theres a metal ring on the inside of the rim that you cant see from the outside. The bolt heads visible on the edges are torqued to a spec (usually around 30 ft lbs). The ring clamps the bead of the tire against the rim so you can't lose a bead. Most beadlocks do nothing for the inner bead so I dont see a reason for myself to get beadlocks just for one side.

Otto Man · 03-20-2004, 05:18 PM

after reading your whole post, there are some dirtbike guys who drill into there rim and use screws like you said. My guess is that the screws arent strong enough to hold the bead of a bigger, heavier, bias ply tire.

JeepinDoug · 03-20-2004, 05:31 PM

Beadlocks used in our hobby need to be able to take side load without shredding the tire to pieces. Both bikes and drag racers use screws to keep the tire from spinning on the rim.
This pic shows the tire seated onto the inner ring, a shelf behind the tire bead.

This pic show the outter beadring in place sandwiching the bead from both sides before torquing down the ring.

GubNi · 03-20-2004, 05:53 PM

So it doesn't go through the tire, but clamps the tire instead. Why just one side though?

kwrangln · 03-20-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GubNi
So it doesn't go through the tire, but clamps the tire instead. Why just one side though?

Because the beadlock would leave even less room for your brake caliper on the inside. That and the outside of the tire takes the most flexing during turns and off camber situations.

Balsax · 03-21-2004, 06:53 AM

I think that the inner bead is a little larger so it holds the tire a little better...

03-20-2004, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
GubNi Rock God Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 25927 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 2,172	How do beadlocks work? I understand the concept of keeping the tire from breaking loose at low pressure, but how do they do that? I understand Hummer rims, but they are only available in 8" wide, right? So I'm thinking maybe beadlocks might be good, but I don't understand how they work and all the pics I see are from the front. I'd like to see across the width of the rim. From what I can figure there are just some screw that go through the rim and into the rubber. Why should you buy special rims verses just drill and screw the current rims? I've heard that people like 15" rims because of the safety bead and that 16.5" rims don't have that. Is that true? I'm running 1 ton axles and perfer the 16.5" so I don't have to grind so much. Thanks! __________________ Dana 60 or 14 bolt disk brake kits $315 shipped --> click here Dana 70 kits $300 --> click here . . Sterling 10.25 kits $390 --> click here Dana 60 front 3/4 ton kits $350--> click here

03-20-2004, 05:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
JeepinDoug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 13028 Location: So.S.F., CA Posts: 3,124	Beadlocks used in our hobby need to be able to take side load without shredding the tire to pieces. Both bikes and drag racers use screws to keep the tire from spinning on the rim. This pic shows the tire seated onto the inner ring, a shelf behind the tire bead. This pic show the outter beadring in place sandwiching the bead from both sides before torquing down the ring. __________________ I may lack much in way of integrety but I make up for it with pure denial. [URL=http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377480][B][COLOR="Red"]Malvado Grande #1[/COLOR][/B][/URL]

03-20-2004, 05:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
GubNi Rock God Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 25927 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 2,172	So it doesn't go through the tire, but clamps the tire instead. Why just one side though? __________________ Dana 60 or 14 bolt disk brake kits $315 shipped --> click here Dana 70 kits $300 --> click here . . Sterling 10.25 kits $390 --> click here Dana 60 front 3/4 ton kits $350--> click here

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03-21-2004, 06:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Balsax Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 22345 Location: Breckenridge, CO Posts: 416	I think that the inner bead is a little larger so it holds the tire a little better...