Staun Bead lock Installation

[MasterYota]

An old article I wrote, but one worth sharing here anyway.

These fit the 7-9" wide 15" wheel and will work with aluminum or steel wheels. Here are the pics of the installation...

Here is the starting point - I marked the location of the tire, and the location of the wheel weights on both sides and original valve stem, that way I could put everything back together the same way, without needing to have the tires rebalanced.


Tire is off the wheel: Stuan's can be installed with the tire still on the wheel, but this makes modifying the rim much easier.


Here is the bare wheel waiting to be modded. Now is a good time to clean up the bead area's and paint it if you choose to...

My beads had some slight rust buildup and some very compressed dirt in the way. A scotch pad on my air die grinder made quick work of the area. A wire brush works too, it just takes longer.



Measure 6-8 inches left or right of the valve stem to drill the hole for the beadlock valve stem. The hole should be drilled as close to the center of the wheel as practical. The instructions call for a 5/16 sized hole.


Drilling the hole - there is no turning back now...


Deburing the hole - metal shards and inner-tubes don't get along well


Mount the inner bead of the tire back on the wheel. I supported the tire with some 4x4 blocks to hold it up so that the bead lock could be inserted...



This is how the beadlock is delivered - everything in a bag


The tube that does the work


The Air Channel that replaces the orriginal valve stem. Its designed to allow air to flow past the bead lock into the tire.


Some lubrication powder - makes assembly much easier! Put it on everything!


The beadlock cap - folded up:


and unfolded - the cap is very stiff to work with - some patience and care is what is needed to get it into place.


Powder the inside of the cap, and the outer vertical walls where they will contact the tire.


Work the inner ring of the cap over the wheel and inside the tire. It feels difficult, but is actually quite easy if enough powdered lubricant is used. Make sure the cap isn't twisted or folded up!


Powder the tube. Remove the tube valve stem hardware, but leave the small o-ring on the bottom of the stem. This seals against the rim to prevent air loss from the tire.



Install the tube into the beadlock cap making sure it isn't twisted or folded up. Install the tube valve stem into the new hole. Install the larger o-ring, washer and nut and make it finger tight.



Finish installing the bead lock cap's outer ring.


Install the air channel between the beadlock cap and the tire in the original valve stem location. This was the most difficult part for me. The channel has its own valve stem sewn into it, and it is rather fragile. Also the o-rings are very thick. I used a small flat pry bar to put enough leverage on the bottom of the channel to compress the two o-rings enough to start the bolt and washer used to hold it in place.




When mounting the outer tire bead it is crucial to start as far from the valve stem as possible. You want the tire to finish stretching over the lip of the rim right at the air channel - otherwise you risk breaking the channel off as the tire moves around.

Use the beadlock to seat the tire beads.


Air the bead lock up and down several times to allow the tube to work out any kinks it may have. When your satisfied, air the bead lock up to 45-50psi. and then air up the tire to your normal pressure. It is recomended to have a minimum 5psi difference between the lock and the tire. Damage can occur to the beadlock if the tire pressure is higher than the pressure in the tube.

Now go and air down the tire on the trail. Leaving the beadlock at 50psi will allow the tire run at low single digit pressure without the worry of the tire comming off the rim.

Have fun out there...

[Britpart]

good write-up Ray ... was not aware of the ' Staun bead lock ' option . this option must be a lot less expensive than ' Stazwork ' double bead lock wheels providing the same capability .

[MasterYota]

Much less expensive. I paid, IMS, about $110.00 per tire. Now, I did manage to track down a "never to be found again" deal at the time.

Apparently, Staun is no longer in the North American market (they are an AU company). However variants have been sold under the name "Inner air lock". From what I understand a full set retails for around $900.00 at the current pricing. Still cheaper than a set of conventional single bead lock wheels, and still cheaper than double bead locks. Plus they are DOT legal, which is a bonus.

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