Originally Posted by
Barrman
Because of my past history with flat tires, I have stayed away from commenting on this thread.
However, the split rim thing makes me jump in. The M715 has split lock ring rims. Not split rims. Very big difference.
You have to get a duck billed hammer. Which really is the only way to do it. Oh, when you buy one, get the fiberglass handle. I started off with a wood handle one and have replaced it several times. Thankfully, the local NAPA store has a bin of them like bats in a sporting goods store. They make fun of me every time I walk in and go to the bin.
The duck billed hammer is needed to get the bead of the tire down 1.5-2 inches from the edge of the split ring. The split ring will not come out of its groove no matter how hard you pry until the tire bead is below it. There is no way for the split ring to come off as long as there is a tire on there.
I have had flats at speed going down the interstate, on the trails, over night with the truck sitting, etc... Nothing comes apart until the bead is pushed down a very large distance. On my M35 trucks, I have actually pulled the valve stem core and driven around just to break the bead loose from the split ring so the hammer work will be easier. Don't fear these rims is what I am trying to get across.