How to properly install inner tubes

How to Install a Tire Inner Tube Properly

Because you don’t want your tire inner tube to split and fail before its time, it is important to complete your inner tube installation in the proper manner, without any wrinkling, twisting or pinching. Whether you’re installing tractor inner tubes, ATV tire inner tubes, industrial tubes, trailer tire tubes or inner tubes for farm implements, light trucks, trucks and buses, OTR or low tractor trailers, the process is essentially the same.

First, Consider These Quick Hits about Inner Tubes

*Inner Tube Sizing: To find the size inner tube you want, check the size information on the sidewall of the tire. Tubes, because they’re made of rubber with a range of stretch, will generally fit several tire sizes that have the same, or near the same, space for an inner tube.

*Radial Tubes vs. Bias Tubes: Because bias tires and radial tires are manufactured differently, you cannot use a bias inner tube in a radial tire without risking heat build-up and blow-out. Radial tubes, which are made from a rubber compound that has more flex, can be safely installed in both radial tires and bias tires.

*The New Tube Is Smaller than the Old Tube because the old tube has been stretched and relaxed and has taken on the tire’s shape. New tubes start out smaller than the tire.

*Tools You Will Need to Remove and Install an Inner Tube: It’s always helpful to have all the tools you’ll be using at hand before you start your inner tube removal and installation. You’ll need pliers, a tire iron or other pry tool, a rubber mallet, a valve core removal tool and an air pump.

Step by Step Inner Tube Removal and Installation

Getting the Old Inner Tube Out of the Tire

1. Remove the wheel. Release as much air as you can by removing the valve stem core. Use the valve core removal tool to twist it counterclockwise.
2. Loosen the bead (the edge of the tire that sits on the rim) from the wheel by whacking the sidewall with the rubber mallet on both sides.
3. Pry the bead from the rim using the tire iron or prying tool in a segment-by-segment process until the tire is fully outside the wheel.
4. Hammer the valve stem completely into the tire using the rubber mallet.
5. Remove the inner tube and valve stem from the tire using the pliers.
6. Examine the inside of the tire for any damage or sharp edges that may have caused the tube failure.

Before Installing the New Inner Tube

1. Pre-inflate the inner tube to the approximate size of the tire to stretch it out so it will better fill the entire void of the tire, while also helping with placement of the valve stem.
2. Lubricate the tube with baby powder or talc to facilitate easy placement within the tire.
3. Deflate the tube before putting it inside the tire, but leave it slightly inflated to eliminate folds and to aid in positioning the air valve stem.

Installing the New Inner Tube

1. Insert the new inner tube around the wheel.
2. Using your air pump, inflate the tube slightly to smooth it out to avoid wrinkles, and to facilitate positioning of the valve stem through the hole in the rim.
3. Stretch the bead back over the rim using the tire iron and the mallet. Be careful to properly position the air valve stem. A crooked valve stem will eventually leak.
4. Inflate the tube slowly, checking to be sure that both tire beads are positioned correctly. You should be able to see the rim line on both sides of the tire.
5. Inflate the tire to working pressure, then put it back on the vehicle.

Unlike cheap tire tubes that can blow out and fail quickly, RubberMaster Inner Tubes and Flaps are made from premium rubber and are factory-tested for top air tightness, aging resistance and high temperature resistance for longer service life.