23" split rim question

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Topic author
TheSaintDiscJockey
Posts: 271
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:23 pm
First Name: Brooks
Last Name: Schlieben
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 TT
Location: Levittown, Pa.
Board Member Since: 2015

23" split rim question

Post by TheSaintDiscJockey » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:16 am

Okay. Replacing the two rear tires on the '23 TT truck. Have tried to follow the YouTube videos as closely as I could. Got the one tire off through grit and determination this morning. The rim spreader is still on the rim. I would like to paint the rim next. Can I slowly disengage the rim spreader and remove? Also, how much tension on the rim can it sustain when mounting the new tire? I am a newbie on split rims. Many thanks to all in advance!
Last edited by TheSaintDiscJockey on Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.


NY John T
Posts: 436
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:45 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Killelea
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring, 1927 Tudor, 1925 Touring
Location: Northport NY
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: 23" split rim question

Post by NY John T » Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:04 am

Hi Brooks,
Yes, you can release the rim spreader to paint the rims. That's the way I've done all my split rims.
If you watch the "A Forgotten Model T" episode on changing tires, the guy shows how to do it. Here's a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obhAvwp ... Cz&index=4
He places the spreader in different positions and then at 5 min. 21 seconds, he finds the right spot to spread the rim to fit it snugly on the tire.
The rim spreader is a great old tool; jut watch out that it doesn't scratch off the new paint of the rim.
Hope this helps,
John


Topic author
TheSaintDiscJockey
Posts: 271
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:23 pm
First Name: Brooks
Last Name: Schlieben
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 TT
Location: Levittown, Pa.
Board Member Since: 2015

Re: 23" split rim question

Post by TheSaintDiscJockey » Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:33 pm

Very illuminating. Thanks, John!

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