Recently purchased a set of BF Goodrich T/A KDW's (275/40/17) to go on my 10-spoke SS rims (17X9). These tires have been at the shop for THREE days now and they still can't get them to seat. This is a reputable place and they've tried everything they can think of but the sidewall is so unpliable that they can't get them to seat on the rim. They've even used upwards of 100 pounds of pressure to get it to "pop", but still nothing. Anyone experience anything similar? I mean, how hard is it to get a tire on?!

 

It took American Tire Co 3 times (and one still might not be completely sealed) to get my 275/35-18 KDW2s to seat on my wheels. The bead just kept on leaking.

 

had the same issue with the same tires on my SS factory ZR1's.
They were none too pleased. Ended up nailing the tread of the tire with a 10 lb sledge hammer to get it to seat properly, then about 100lbs of pressure which let out a pop like you've never heard before, people were ducking for cover b/c they thought it was a gunshot.

 

the bfg ares known to take lots of pressure to seat. at work at ATC ive had to use upwards of 125psi with LOTS of bead lube, literally soaked it in lube

 

The local tire place had no problems with mine.

 

They make tire cages with long air chucks for stubbron tires like this for saftey reasons. We had one at school.

 

Had the same issue with my KDW several years ago.. I've bought several sets since though.. I had to find the right shop to do it, and they didn't have any problems.. You should have seen the first guys that I got to do it, Wal Mart (yep), I was giving them pointers as to how to mount the tires... took them 2 hours to get them on the rims... It's only been good people that specialize in large rim tires now...

 

I work at a tire shop too. They aren't that hard to seat. Just need the right equiptment. Although I do plenty of large rims with LOW profile tires all day long.

 

Couple of shops later they're FINALLY on. Note to future buyers of these tires: for some reason these can be a pain to get on. Had to go to 3 different tire shops and lost about a week of my time getting these on. Good luck!

 

They're a pain because they actually have a stiff sidewall worthy of their speed and handling rating when compared to the inexpensive soft sidewalled tires.

When you're taking hard, fast corners you'll be glad you have them.

 

I have the KDWs and they went on fine.

 

what kind of tire changer do they have when i went to get my285 40 17 mounted most places said they could not do it because of the low side wall

 

The boys at Costco had a rough time getting mine to seat, but after each big bang, everybody got off the floor, everything was just peachy. Problem is, there were four big bangs, and they had to use over 100 psi. Great tires, though.

 

Take a rubber hammer to the side wall were it won't mount, but be prepared for the loud bang.