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Home / Tools / Tire Equipment /Beadbuster XB-455 ™
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Beadbuster XB-455 ™

10 Reviews 1 Answered Question
$149.75/Each
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Part# 12-04707
MFR Model# XB-455

Overview

The BeadBuster XB-455 was designed to work on even the most difficult tires, which means it can make quick work of all general aviation light aircraft tires. An innovative new design requires no adjustment for different sized rims and no floor space required to set up. Precise, powerful control will ensure professional results without damaging rims. Change your own tires whenever, and wherever you want.

Weight 3 lbs
Dimensions 6 x 6 x 1.75 in
 

  1. Remove the valve core to release air pressure from tire.
     

 

2. Start with the ‘shallow’ side nearest the drop center…this is usually the outside of the wheel. Apply soapy water (or other lubricant, like WD-40) to the bead. Push down on the sidewall to ensure that soapy water flows in between the rim and tire.   3. Press the feet of BeadBuster in between tire and rim. Use the Handle to aid in getting the feet positioned.  The soapy water helps it slide in.  Pressing the feet down onto the sidewall 1st helps create a small gap for the feet to enter.  Make sure the feet are started in the tire-rim gap before clamping.
 

 

4. Use a 3/4" socket or wrench to tighten the clamp bolt to pull the feet all the way in and align the tool.  You can use an impact wrench, ratchet, drill or hand wrench.  A typical ATV tire requires 7-9 ft-lbs (112-144 in-lbs) of torque to get the feet in.  Use caution with a 1/2" impact wrench to not over-torque the bolts, as you could damage the tool, tire and wheel.   5. Tighten the Clamp Bolt until the BeadBuster is perpendicular to the face of the rim, and the tool body is touching the rim. Make sure the BeadBuster feet are fully inserted, on some wheels when fully inserted, there may still be a small gap between the tool body and rim.
 

IMPORTANT NOTE

If the tool is not properly clamped, and not correctly aligned with the rim, the Ram Foot may be bent or damaged while breaking the bead!
  • If Over-Clamped and the tool is leaned in toward the rim,  the Ram Foot could gouge the bead retainer causing damage to both the tool and rim.  This is the most common problem users have with using the BeadBuster.

  • If Under-Clamped and leaned away from the rim, the Ram Foot could slide down the sidewall and possibly damage the tire.
Often, in order to get the feet fully inserted, you have to 1st clamp so much that the tool does lean into the rim, which is OK. After you get the feet fully inserted, back off of the clamp bolt until the BeadBuster is realigned perpendicular to the rim, but still fully inserted. As with any tool, use care while operating the BeadBuster.
 
     
     
6. Use a 3/4" socket or wrench to run down the Ram Bolt until the tire bead has been pushed past the bead retainer on the rim.  Again, an impact wrench can be used, but be cautious with a 1/2" impact so that you don’t over-torque the bolt, which could strip the threads. Depending on the age of the tire and condition of the rim, the bead may partially return to the seated position when the Ram Foot is retracted.  If this happens, insert a small block of wood or plastic between the tire and rim to prevent it from re-seating.

***CAUTION***
Do not allow fingers or body parts to get pinched between the bead and rim!		   7. The bead retainer on the rim will be visible after pushing the tire bead past it.  It is recommended to visually inspect the gap during operation to ensure the Ram Foot does not catch on it. There is a tendency to want eagerly to push the bead down all the way in one spot, however the BeadBuster only has 1.438" of travel.  Observe when the Ram Bolt has bottomed out on the top of the tool body, and make sure not to tighten beyond that point, or you can strip the threads with a powerful wrench.
     
   

8. Loosen the Ram Bolt and Clamp Bolt.  If you cannot break the remainder of the tire bead loose by hand, move the BeadBuster to another location on the rim, adjacent to where the bead is broken.  Repeat the process at the next spot.  On very old and stubborn tires, you may need to use the tool 3-4 times around the rim.

Some wheel types (such as Sprint Cars) have a very tight interference between the Tire and Wheel, and the force required to break the bead is very high.  The stock XB-455 Ram Foot can withstand a tip load of at least 3,000 lbs, but in some cases these tightly fitting tires can exceed even that.  The reason is because when you start to break the bead on one side of the wheel, it is putting the steel cord (Bead Bundle) in hoop tension, and you are essentially stretching it.

For these cases, even some very stubborn ATV wheels, to prevent bending the ram foot you need to avoid trying to use the full travel of the Ram Foot.  Instead, you need to take more frequent, smaller ‘bites’ around the rim.  We call it the “Inch-Worm Technique".  Break the bead in one spot, extending the Ram ony about 3/4"-1", and then work your way around, every few inches…this will minimize how much you have to stretch the Bead Bundle.  This technique is necessary only on the most stubborn wheels, and sometimes on wide ATV wheels, on the side opposite of the drop center.

Features

  • Designed in USA, made with care in Taiwan
  • Durable Steel Construction (AISI 1020 Cold Rolled)
  • Extra-strong Ram Foot is made from Hardened & Tempered 4130 Chrome-Moly Steel, with a Proof Load of >3,000 lbs
  • MIG Welded
  • Grd-5 & Grd-8 Hardware
  • Polyester Powder Coat Finish
  • Padded Clamp Arm (Will not scratch or dent rims)

Specifications

  • Weight: 2.93 lbs
  • Size: 6″ x 6″ x 1-3/4″
  • Max Rim Lip Width (clamp opening): 1.70″
  • Max Rim Lip Thickness: 0.63″
  • Rim Diameter: Any
  • Rim Width: Any
  • Rim Material: Any
  • Max Ram Extension (throw): 1.438″

Important Notes

  • The BeadBuster XB-455 was designed for use on all common Diameters of GA Light Aircraft Rims. It’s effectiveness has been proven on 5.00 x 5 rims.
  • The clamp pad screw may need to be removed to ensure clearance with the center hub if you are using early revision copies of the XB-455.
  • A 3/4″ wrench is required to drive the clamp and ram bolts. Hand wrenches will work, power tools are recommended. You can use an impact wrench, but use caution with a 1/2″ impact to not over-torque the bolts.

Documents

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cu-J3IHkYtQ?rel=0

Reviews

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Ill admit I was skeptical when I first looked at this tool. But it works, and it works well. Piece of cake to break the tire bead.

Leonard S Verified Purchase

Beadbuster Xb-455
November 17, 2022

Tried it the first time, I am very impressed with the simplicity of its use and the quality of its construction

Voyager A Verified Purchase

Beadbuster Xb-455
August 23, 2022

Great tool. Works as advertised, a “must” for every hangar.

Doug H Verified Purchase

Beadbuster Xb-455
April 12, 2022

Used it for the first time today. All I can say is WOW!!! This thing is quick and stupid easy to use. Its super compact and easy to throw in a toolbag for a job on the road. Ill be interested to see if I ever need to use my full-size shop bead breaker again. Well done! Excellent product!

Kingdom A
April 5, 2021

Excellent tool, very sturdy. I used it to breakdown a number of 6.00x6 and 5.00x5 Cessna tires on its first day. Very quick and its portability is very handy. Easy to use on the bench top. Absolutely no damage to the rim. I have owned the Bogert unit for 12 years and find it tedious to use and very bulky. The tire constantly moves when applying force and you must shove your foot against the tire to hold it in place. I have broken down literally 100s of tires on it and I feel every time is like the first time, the results are very unpredictable. There is no difference in the time it takes to use this tool vs the Bogert, both take about 2 minutes or so per tire. I like that it is bright yellow, make it easy to find in a busy shop. The Bogert is so bulky that it is always getting stashed somewhere and you cat find it!!!

Ed
July 29, 2020

Great tool, work perfectly!

Michel
July 8, 2019

Received the bead buster in record time. Very happy with the service. The tool works as advertised. I had two truck tires that were constant leakers on my 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. Broke the bead and cleaned the rims. The tool did the job. Quite surprised how it worked so well. I have numerous ATVs tires to do as well. Looking forward to see how those work. I also bought this tool to change out tpms sensors. Looks like it will do that job too.. Great little tool..a bit pricey but does the job well. It’s also very portable which was a bonus for me. I do recommend this tool..

Ray
March 7, 2019

It works, used to break the bead on 18 inch GMC Sierra tires.

Marty
November 2, 2018

Awesome tool, works awesome incredibly easy and quick

Jamie
June 8, 2017

Very difficult to get it between the tire and the rim (5.00x5). Once it was there and I started turning the clamping bolt, it started gouging the rim, so I backed off and put it back in the box.

Al C
March 24, 2024

Q&A

Please note, Aircraft Spruce Canada's personnel are not certified aircraft mechanics and can only provide general support and ideas, which should not be relied upon or implemented in lieu of consulting an A&P or other qualified technician. Aircraft Spruce Canada assumes no responsibility or liability for any issue or problem which may arise from any repair, modification or other work done from this knowledge base. Any product eligibility information provided here is based on general application guides and we recommend always referring to your specific aircraft parts manual, the parts manufacturer or consulting with a qualified mechanic.

Q: Will the Beadbuster XB-455 work on 5.00 X 5 tires that are used on many homebuilt aircraft? Can the instruction manual be scanned and posted in PDF for all to read?

Yes, the XB-455 will work on 5.00 x 5 tires. We have added the installation manual to the 'Documents' tab of the web page. Please review it there. We have also added a youtube video demonstrating use of the XB-450, which is used similarly to the XB-455.

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