Seating the bead - new tires

[johnny42]

After replacing my tires, I ensured the lines/markings around the tire perimeter were equidistant from the rim. The tires hold air. But.....

When I set the bead on the front tire, I did not hear LOUD bangs as the beads set, I heard them pop, but they were not loud. On the rear, I did. Much, much louder.

My question is, without hearing these loud bangs, can I be sure the beads are properly seated? Is the fact they hold air proof the beads are properly seated?

I ask this because on another thread, I'm having an issue with vibration at a certain speed which I think is from the front tire. Even though I'm going to dump more balance beads in, I'd feel better knowing the answer about the bead seating question.

[MikeB]

It doesn't have to make a loud pop or bang to tell you the bead is seated.
From my limited experience with mounting tires, I notice that sometimes the drop center shelf near the wheel rim is smoother or less "sticky" and it makes it easier for the tire is to get past it. Or, the tire is better lubricated and it slips into place easily. In those cases, the bead will seat willingly rather than with a "bang".

If the tell tale ring on the tire is equidistant around the wheel, then you have it seated. If it holds air, great. If it doesn't hold air, the rim has not been cleaned properly before mounting the tire.

I have one time and one time only, had a tire that caused what appeared to be an imbalance condition. It was balanced, but the tire was out of round. I had it replaced free of charge under warranty.

[newday777]

The bang has to do with the stiffness of the sidewalls and how much lube and air used to seat the bead.
Have you spun the wheel and tire to check for true running?

[Viking]

the things mentioned by previous posters are all signs that the tire is properly mounted. Spinning the wheel by hand while examining the tire should indicate if it is running true or not, and a close examination of the tire and rim mating surfaces will also let you know. If the tire is mated the same all round the rim on both sides, and it continues to hold air, you should be good to go. If there seems to be any gaping at all between the rim and the bead, anywhere around the rim, then you should break the bead, relubricate the bead and reinflate the tire.

[johnny42]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll check the tires/wheels. If everything is good, I'll go back to my other thread regarding "Vibration at a certain speed". I added 2 more ounces of Dyna Beads, but there was no change.

[WingAdmin]

Look at the tire. You'll generally see a line, or a pattern of some kind that goes around the circumference of the tire, near to the wheel rim.

Tire vs rim

Spin the tire. Watch that line as the wheel spins, and make sure it stays the exact same distance away from the rim as the wheel turns.

If the line moves closer or farther away from the rim as the wheel spins, it's possible (probable) that the bead didn't fully seat where the line gets closer to the rim.