Tire Mounting & Dismounting: the full procedure
Mount and dismount tires correctly using the machine and proper lubricant, never exceeding the bead-seating pressure, with the assembly in a restraining device while inflating.
- Applies to: Tire technician.
- Frequency: Every tire mount and dismount.
- Scope: Defines the process. Bead-seating pressure limits and restraining-device use defer to OSHA 1910.177, TIA, and the equipment/tire manufacturer.
What you need
- Tire changer machine
- Water-based bead lubricant
- Restraining device or safety cage
- Clip-on inflation chuck
- Valve core tool
The procedure, step by step
- Deflate and remove core — Fully deflate the tire and remove the valve core before breaking the bead.
- Break the bead — Use the machine’s bead breaker to free both beads, supporting the sidewall to avoid damage.
- Lubricate the beads — Apply fresh water-based bead lubricant immediately before mounting; never substitute soapy water or grease, and wipe puddled excess.
- Dismount correctly — Position the mount/demount head per the machine instructions and rotate the tire off without gouging the rim or bead.
- Inspect the components — Inspect the rim, bead seats, and tire before remounting; replace any damaged component.
- Mount the new tire — Lubricate and seat the lower then upper bead with the machine, keeping hands clear of pinch points.
- Inflate within a restraining device — Place the assembly in a restraining device and inflate only to seat the beads — NEVER exceed the maximum bead-seating pressure.
- Stand clear & verify — Stay out of the trajectory while inflating, then inspect that both beads are fully and evenly seated.
Quality check before you finish
- Valve core removed before bead break.
- Fresh water-based lubricant applied (no soap or grease).
- Rim and bead seats inspected for damage.
- Assembly in restraining device during inflation.
- Bead-seating pressure not exceeded.
- Technician stayed clear of the trajectory.
- Both beads confirmed fully seated.
This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Tire Shop business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.
Sources
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 — Servicing Rim Wheels (osha.gov)
- Tire Review / TIA — Bead Lubricant Best Practice (tirereview.com)
About Free Tire Mounting & Dismounting SOP (OSHA 1910.177)
Free printable tire mounting SOP: proper lubricant, restraining device, and never exceeding bead-seating pressure per OSHA 1910.177 and TIA.
How to use
- Read the full procedure top to bottom before the work — the SOP runs in order and each step builds on the last.
- Toggle Ink-saver (black & white) for a cheaper mono print for the binder; leave it off for the full-color version.
- Click Print SOP to print or save as PDF. Print one per crew, laminate it for the binder, or attach it to the job in your scheduling system.
- Train new hires on it and have staff sign off. Found something out of date? Use the feedback link — flagged SOPs are re-researched against the source list.
Frequently asked questions
Why never exceed the bead-seating pressure?
Over-inflating to seat a bead can cause an explosive tire/rim failure; OSHA 1910.177 requires inflating only enough to seat the bead, within a restraining device, while standing clear.
What lubricant should be used?
A fresh water-based tire bead lubricant applied just before mounting — never soapy water or grease, which can damage the bead or let the tire slip on the rim.
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