DIY Easy Seitech Dolly Tire Repair - Inner tube insert

SteveSailing

New Member
Hello fellow laser sailors!

In my quest to repair my Seitech dolly tires I gathered knowledge. Now I will share my discoveries. I have the tubeless knobby Carlisle 145/70-6 tires on older fiberglass/plastic type redish, pink wheels. The air pressure got low and caused cracks to appear in the sidewall. I attempted to put a strap around the tire and force high pressure air into the tire, in hopes of resealing the bead, but the cracks were too deep. This works for some people, however my tires are showing considerable age.

Here's the options I discovered after searching the internet:

A) $125+ Buy two new Seitech wheels with tires installed from APS or WestCoastSailing.

B) $60+ Buy two new replacement tires from an online ATV dealer and attempt to wrestle the tires off of the rim or have a tire shop remove and replace them.

C) ~$20 Remove valve cores and pump fix-a-flat slimey goo into the tires, then place them on the axel and spin them around and hope that all of the cracks and leaks get sealed.

D) $21 Purchase and insert an inner tube into each tire.

Being a handy guy, I chose the cheapest and most reliable option and replaced the inner tubes. It was VERY easy and took less than 15 minutes once the tire shop broke the tire bead.

Step 1 - Take your wheels off your dolly and bring them to a tire shop. They put the tire into their press after removing the valve core. The press, pushed the sidewall toward the center of the tire and after a few seconds and a loud "pop" the bead was broken. The tire shop did this for free.

laser_tire_fix001.jpg


Step 2 - Buy new inner tubes. I went to Home Depot and bought Slime Smart 6" Wheel Barrow Inner Tubes that fit a 4.10/3.50-6 wheel, Slime Part #30011. I thought they'd be small, but they fit perfect. Go to www.slime.com they have them for sale their too.

Step 3 - Cut old Valve stem off wheel. From inside the wheel take any sharp object, knife, chisel, razor blade, etc.. Cut half way through, then a slit on the side and you can then pry out the stem from the outside of the wheel.

laser_tire_fix003.jpg


laser_tire_fix004.jpg


Step 4 - Insert new inner tube. Put the valve stem through the hole in the wheel first. Then use a wooden paint brush handle, or something similar that won't cut the rubber, to push the inner tube inside the tire and work your way around the rim. Use a prying motion to get the inner tube completely inside the tire.

laser_tire_fix005.jpg


laser_tire_fix006.jpg


Step 5 - Inflate inner tube. Clamp vice grips onto the valve stem, so that it doesn't get lost inside the wheel, nor get pressed into an odd angle once inflated. Using an air compressor, give five or six short bursts of air to ensure the tube inflates evenly, then use continuous flow.
At about 15 psi the inner tube will push the sidewall out to the bead. You will hear a loud "pop". I continued to inflate to 28psi.
You may want to seal the hole in the rim with silicone or RTV, so that the valve stays in place in case of a loss in pressure. It will also keep protect the inner tube from corrosion. I did not do this yet.

laser_tire_fix007.jpg


And you're finished! Ready to roll! Happy Laser Sailing!

laser_tire_fix008.jpg
 
Steve, it was as easy as you claimed. Took me 15 minutes both tires. You saved me $140!

Two tips, I broke the seal by standing on the tires and used a large flat head screw driver. One tire broke the seal by just standing on it. Also, I sprayed the tubes with WD 40 and could slip the tubes in with just my hands.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Ray
 
Yes, thanks, this is great! When I get the time I'll link this to the permanent database thread.
 
I'm happy to have helped!

NOTE: Make sure you check the tire pressure, before using your dolly, if you haven't fixed the valve stem to the wheel by some means. My tire lost pressure and the valve stem slipped inside the wheel. Fortunately, I was able to fish it out. Otherwise, I would have had to basically start the procedure from step 1 again.
 
I have been looking all over the place for this. My tire shop was unwilling to work on plastic rims for obvious reasons. I'm sure I can find another that will break the bead for me.

I would recommend four things in addition:

1. Use very soapy water to get the tube in.
2. If you will be storing your boat at the lake on the dolly, or even if the dolly just sits there, put it up on blocks so there is no pressure on the tire.
3. Armor all the tires with the syrupy Armor all to preserve them.
4. Use a hot melt glue gun to fill the gap between the valve stem and the wheel. JB weld may also work well and it won't have a chance of heating the wheel.


Hello fellow laser sailors!

In my quest to repair my Seitech dolly tires I gathered knowledge. Now I will share my discoveries. I have the tubeless knobby Carlisle 145/70-6 tires on older fiberglass/plastic type redish, pink wheels. The air pressure got low and caused cracks to appear in the sidewall. I attempted to put a strap around the tire and force high pressure air into the tire, in hopes of resealing the bead, but the cracks were too deep. This works for some people, however my tires are showing considerable age.

Here's the options I discovered after searching the internet:

A) $125+ Buy two new Seitech wheels with tires installed from APS or WestCoastSailing.

B) $60+ Buy two new replacement tires from an online ATV dealer and attempt to wrestle the tires off of the rim or have a tire shop remove and replace them.

C) ~$20 Remove valve cores and pump fix-a-flat slimey goo into the tires, then place them on the axel and spin them around and hope that all of the cracks and leaks get sealed.

D) $21 Purchase and insert an inner tube into each tire.

Being a handy guy, I chose the cheapest and most reliable option and replaced the inner tubes. It was VERY easy and took less than 15 minutes once the tire shop broke the tire bead.

Step 1 - Take your wheels off your dolly and bring them to a tire shop. They put the tire into their press after removing the valve core. The press, pushed the sidewall toward the center of the tire and after a few seconds and a loud "pop" the bead was broken. The tire shop did this for free.

laser_tire_fix001.jpg


Step 2 - Buy new inner tubes. I went to Home Depot and bought Slime Smart 6" Wheel Barrow Inner Tubes that fit a 4.10/3.50-6 wheel, Slime Part #30011. I thought they'd be small, but they fit perfect. Go to www.slime.com they have them for sale their too.

Step 3 - Cut old Valve stem off wheel. From inside the wheel take any sharp object, knife, chisel, razor blade, etc.. Cut half way through, then a slit on the side and you can then pry out the stem from the outside of the wheel.

laser_tire_fix003.jpg


laser_tire_fix004.jpg


Step 4 - Insert new inner tube. Put the valve stem through the hole in the wheel first. Then use a wooden paint brush handle, or something similar that won't cut the rubber, to push the inner tube inside the tire and work your way around the rim. Use a prying motion to get the inner tube completely inside the tire.

laser_tire_fix005.jpg


laser_tire_fix006.jpg


Step 5 - Inflate inner tube. Clamp vice grips onto the valve stem, so that it doesn't get lost inside the wheel, nor get pressed into an odd angle once inflated. Using an air compressor, give five or six short bursts of air to ensure the tube inflates evenly, then use continuous flow.
At about 15 psi the inner tube will push the sidewall out to the bead. You will hear a loud "pop". I continued to inflate to 28psi.
You may want to seal the hole in the rim with silicone or RTV, so that the valve stays in place in case of a loss in pressure. It will also keep protect the inner tube from corrosion. I did not do this yet.

laser_tire_fix007.jpg


And you're finished! Ready to roll! Happy Laser Sailing!

laser_tire_fix008.jpg

Hello fellow laser sailors!

In my quest to repair my Seitech dolly tires I gathered knowledge. Now I will share my discoveries. I have the tubeless knobby Carlisle 145/70-6 tires on older fiberglass/plastic type redish, pink wheels. The air pressure got low and caused cracks to appear in the sidewall. I attempted to put a strap around the tire and force high pressure air into the tire, in hopes of resealing the bead, but the cracks were too deep. This works for some people, however my tires are showing considerable age.

Here's the options I discovered after searching the internet:

A) $125+ Buy two new Seitech wheels with tires installed from APS or WestCoastSailing.

B) $60+ Buy two new replacement tires from an online ATV dealer and attempt to wrestle the tires off of the rim or have a tire shop remove and replace them.

C) ~$20 Remove valve cores and pump fix-a-flat slimey goo into the tires, then place them on the axel and spin them around and hope that all of the cracks and leaks get sealed.

D) $21 Purchase and insert an inner tube into each tire.

Being a handy guy, I chose the cheapest and most reliable option and replaced the inner tubes. It was VERY easy and took less than 15 minutes once the tire shop broke the tire bead.

Step 1 - Take your wheels off your dolly and bring them to a tire shop. They put the tire into their press after removing the valve core. The press, pushed the sidewall toward the center of the tire and after a few seconds and a loud "pop" the bead was broken. The tire shop did this for free.

laser_tire_fix001.jpg


Step 2 - Buy new inner tubes. I went to Home Depot and bought Slime Smart 6" Wheel Barrow Inner Tubes that fit a 4.10/3.50-6 wheel, Slime Part #30011. I thought they'd be small, but they fit perfect. Go to www.slime.com they have them for sale their too.

Step 3 - Cut old Valve stem off wheel. From inside the wheel take any sharp object, knife, chisel, razor blade, etc.. Cut half way through, then a slit on the side and you can then pry out the stem from the outside of the wheel.

laser_tire_fix003.jpg


laser_tire_fix004.jpg


Step 4 - Insert new inner tube. Put the valve stem through the hole in the wheel first. Then use a wooden paint brush handle, or something similar that won't cut the rubber, to push the inner tube inside the tire and work your way around the rim. Use a prying motion to get the inner tube completely inside the tire.

laser_tire_fix005.jpg


laser_tire_fix006.jpg


Step 5 - Inflate inner tube. Clamp vice grips onto the valve stem, so that it doesn't get lost inside the wheel, nor get pressed into an odd angle once inflated. Using an air compressor, give five or six short bursts of air to ensure the tube inflates evenly, then use continuous flow.
At about 15 psi the inner tube will push the sidewall out to the bead. You will hear a loud "pop". I continued to inflate to 28psi.
You may want to seal the hole in the rim with silicone or RTV, so that the valve stays in place in case of a loss in pressure. It will also keep protect the inner tube from corrosion. I did not do this yet.

laser_tire_fix007.jpg


And you're finished! Ready to roll! Happy Laser Sailing!

laser_tire_fix008.jpg
 
Unfortunately I was unable to perform this repair on my Saitech wheel. I used the "Tire Aid" brand tube from Lowes for $10 (see attachment for picture of the product).

I used a silicon spray lubricant around the tire bead and wheel groove and upon inflating the tube, it expanded and popped into place. I pulled the dolly around for a few hundred feet and set it in the garage for the night. In the morning it was flat and the tube showed a 1 inch cut along the inside of the tube opposite side of the stem. The pink goo kind of glued the cut and didn't allowe me to let air out of the stem, making removal very difficult.

Exchange at store, try again. Same procedure. This time it took a couple mile haul to a launch. Upon rigging, I heard a sudden "pssshhhh" that lasted about 5 seconds and it's flat. Later analysis under water showed a pinhole sized leak on the inside of the tube near the stem.

Giving up, ordering replacements.

tube.png
 
Sorry for the delay andrewl. It wound up in my spam folder. If you haven't yet bought your new tires, examine the inside of your wheel carefully to see if there are any rough spots that might tear the tube. I use a soapy solution to wet the tube while mounting so that it does not bind anywhere. Also, remember that these wheels are meant to be pressurized very little, something like 6-10 psi. I would not even go as high as the instruction on the tire since they are for maximum loads. Finally, I don't like the sealants anymore. They make one heck of a mess.
 
I have two other ways to take care of dolly wheels.
First you need to identify what the cause of the leak is. I was dealing with 4 wheels. One tire had cracks along the side wall, so I decided to get a set of 2 new tires 145/70-6 4Ply B from Amazon for total of $36.99 including shipping.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZY1MG2P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I pulled off the old tires by using arbor press and two big screwdrivers, and I put the two new tires on. These tires are 3/4" smaller in diameter and 1/4" wider, but work fine. Easy fix.
The other 2 wheels leaked along the contact point of the tire and a wheel.
I pulled the tire away from the rim (I didn't remove the tire).
I cleaned everything as much as I could and applied a thin film of RTV, and inflated the tire back.
No more leaks.
 

Attachments

  • Amazon Tire.JPG
    Amazon Tire.JPG
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  • Old tire with RTV.JPG
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There is always the brake cleaner/flame trick to seat the bead of a new tire. Do so at your own risk, and remove the valve stem first
 

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