How Do I Reseat a Tubeless Bead?

It is common knowledge among four-wheel drive enthusiasts that aired-down tires grip the terrain for improved rock-crawling ability. But those same rocks can sometimes pop a tubeless tire off its bead and cause an instantaneous flat tire. With the bead unseated, merely adding air is futile. First you must reseat the tire. You can do the job with a few common trail tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Ratchet strap
  • Water
  • Valve tool
  • High-capacity air source
  • Jack up the vehicle and remove the wheel and tire assembly.

  • Brush away any mud or debris from the bead area of the tire. Wet the bead to lubricate it. The bead will probably still be seated on one side of the tire. If not, lay the wheel with the backside down and step on the tire around its circumference to seat the backside bead.

  • Put the ratchet strap around the tire in the center of the tread. Tighten the strap so that it compresses the tire and seals the bead against the rim of the wheel.

  • Remove the valve core. Attach the air hose to the valve stem and apply pressure. Place a foot or knee against the wheel and pull the tire toward you to help it seal. The bead will seat with a loud "pop."

  • Remove the hose and replace the valve core. Loosen and remove the ratchet strap. Reattach the air hose and inflate the tire.

  • Replace the tire on the vehicle.