Changing ATV tire?

[ripper]

Assuming this is a very simple question but I've never owned an ATV up until a couple weeks ago and noticed it has a slow leak in one of the tires. I haven't looked too close but I'm assuming I can just loosen the lug nuts and pull the wheel off like a normal tire for a trailer/car, etc.? Also assume I can just take it into a tire shop and have them patch it?

[Macgyver55]

Yes to both questions, but not all tire shops will do them, most will.

Probably call ahead first....

[rundrave]

I have noticed that the lower quality stock 2ply tires that come on most atvs will leak especially in colder weather. I just dont think they get a good seat on the rim.

I tried tire slim etc with no luck.

once I bought a higher quality 6ply tires I had no issues even in the colder winter months like I did before.

If you can spot the leak/hole source you can also buy the plug patch kits at most auto stores and even walmart and fix it yourself.

[eyehunter]

Does a regular tire plug kit work on an ATV tire? It seems like there isn't enough rubber there to hold the plug to me. Does that make sense? what i mean is that it seems like an ATV tire doesn't have as thick of rubber as a car tire. I don't know, maybe they do. Guess that's why I'm asking.

[LittleHuck]

Yep, regular tire plug works just fine in any atv tire. Good luck!

[PerchJerker]

Might want to check the valve stems if it's a slow leak. I had a bad valve stem on one of our atvs last fall. Just fixed it a week or so ago and found bad valve stems on 2 more of the tires. I haven't replaced the 4th one yet but I'm going too. The 3 tires that I replaced the valve stems on aren't leaking any more

[BobT]

I've always figured slow leaks were a given on low pressure tires. My theory is that there just isn't enough pressure in the tire to force a good seal on the bead. New rims maybe work okay but as soon as they begin to corrode leaks are imminent.

I have removed and patched my own ATV tires but I only did it once. Maybe they aren't all like this but my rim had a ridge right behind the bead seat and getting that tire off the rim was a real pain. I have a slide hammer that I can use to break the bead on tractor tires and I fought that ATV tire to the point of submission. Now I'll just let the shop do it.

[Dave S]

There's also an option called a uni-seal that's basically a plug and a patch all in one. It needs to be installed from the inside so the tire needs to be removed from the rim. IMO the best option and worth the peace of mind if you're planning any long trips.