Replacing an Inner Tube

The following items are useful to complete the tire care tasks described in this section:

• Tire pressure gauge or tire pump with a tire pressure gauge
• Tire spoons (3)
• New inner tube or inner tube patch kit
• Tire pump or can of pressurized air
• 10 mm open end wrench
• 2 x 4 block of wood (6 to 12 inches long)

Procedure

Do not attempt to remove the metal wheel. Only an Independence Technology Service Provider can replace the wheel.

You may repair a leaking inner tube if the hole causing the leak is small, such as a tack hole. Use a commercially available inner tube patch kit. Follow the directions on the patch kit for tube repair.

1. Turn the power OFF from Standard Function.
2. Transfer out of the product.
3. Tip the product sideways so that the tire to be repaired is off the ground.
4. Slide the support piece beneath the cluster.
5. Carefully lower the product onto the supporting piece.
6. Remove and save the valve stem cover.
7. Deflate the tire if necessary. Press on the end of the tire valve with a small, blunt object such as a pen (Figure 1).
   
   

   Figure 1: Valve Stem

8. Remove the nut from the valve stem using a 10 mm open-end wrench (Figure 2).
   
   

   Figure 2: Valve Stem Nut

9. Insert the broad end of one of the tire spoons between the tire and the edge of the rim. Push it in about 1 inch (25 mm) and hold it there. (Figure 3)
   
   

   Figure 3: Tire Spoon

10. Insert the broad end of the second tire spoon the same way, about 4 inches (102 mm) from the first at the right. Rotate both tire spoons down, toward the center of the rim, to pry the tire over the rim.
11. Repeat step 10 as needed until you have pried one side of the tire off the rim.
12. Pull the inner tube from the tire (Figure 4).
    
    

    Figure 4: Inner Tube

13. Inspect the tire. Look for the cause of the puncture, and remove it. Decide whether or not the tire should be replaced.
14. Inflate with a small amount of air so tube loosely holds shape. Insert the new or patched inner tube into the tire. Push the valve stem through the stem hole in the rim. Make sure the inner tube is not twisted. Make sure no part of the inner tube sticks out from the tire.
15. Push the tire back onto the rim. Use a tire spoon to push the last part of the tire into place. Be careful not to pinch the inner tube with the tire spoon and cause a leak.
16. Rotate the tire on the rim as needed so the valve stem extends straight from the rim, not at an angle.
17. Replace the nut on the valve stem, and tighten the nut using a 10 mm open-end wrench. (Figure 5).
    
    

    Figure 5: Valve Stem Position

18. Inflate the tire to the proper pressure, which is 52.5-57.5 PSI (362-396 Kilopascals).
19. Replace the valve stem cover.
20. After replacing the inner tube and tire, manually move the product forward and backward. Make sure the tires roll smoothly.