So You Want to Run Beadlocks?

If you wheel on rocks, you know the importance of running low psi to allow your footprint to spread out, helping you grip rocks better. But the trade-offs for running reduced pressure, especially if you run under 10 psi, is ripping the bead off the wheel. So enter into the equation beadlocks which allow you to reduce psi below 10 without the fear of ripping your bead off the wheel.

There are two beads, but most common beadlocks, including the ones we use on our Jeep, only lock the outside bead. If you are concerned that both beads are locked, then dual beadlocks are the choice for you, but the options are far more limited. See B.A.D. and Hutchinson wheels for dual beadlocks. Many beadlocks wheels lack DOT – compliance, so if your state does annual inspections, you may need to take that into consideration.

Beadlock Definition

According to Wikipedia, a beadlock or bead lock, is a mechanical device that secures the bead of a tire to the wheel of a vehicle. Tires and wheels are designed so that when the tire is inflated, the tire pressure pushes the bead of the tire against the inside of the wheel rim, so that the tire stays on the wheel and the two rotate together.

There are great articles on beadlocks including this Beadlock Buyer’s Guide from FourWheeler, which provides some pretty helpful information. So I guess the old adage “do your homework” applies here. Just because someone you know runs them, that doesn’t mean they’re right for you. Sometimes you just like the look of the beadlocks so manufacturers have begun making “street locks” to meet that market.

Maintenance Considerations

One thing to consider when thinking about beadlocks is the maintenance requirements. First, you’ll need to have a regular schedule to check the torque settings on the bolts, so check the manufacturer’s website to determine what the intervals are — some are as little as a couple hundred miles. Also, while most manufacturers have gone to grade 8 hardware, not all have. So verify, because the last thing you want are broken bolts which could lead to loss of air or catastrophic failure.

Don’t try this at home! No seriously don’t use an air ratchet as you can over tighten the bolts and strip the threads. I reduced the pressure and just used it to snug the bolts.

Wheel balancing is often cited as a reason beadlock wheels aren’t a good choice for the road, but from my experience running a couple different brands over the years, I don’t see balancing as an issue. As a matter of fact, our current set up on Method Beadlocks and 40″ Toyo’s required no balancing weights. In the past I had been told that same thing from a friend who owns a shop, but since he was sponsored I feared it was the relationship with his sponsor that was speaking, but now I know first hand that it’s possible.

While sometimes you can find a shop to do the install for you, more often than not tire shops will not install tires on beadlock wheels, and the ones that do charge an arm and a leg. This leaves you to tackle the installation yourself. Really that isn’t a big deal, but it is very time consuming. When we mounted our 40″ tires on the Method wheels I had two other guys helping out, and it took the better part of a day to do all five. Also while it is an exception, and not the norm, some beadlock manufacturers recommend changing out the bolts every couple of years. Outer ring bolt designs can lead to some bolts getting pretty torn up with trail-use, requiring that they be replaced as well. Companies like OMF Performance make rock domes to help protect the bolt heads but they end up getting beaten up and needing replacement as well.

Why Run Beadlocks?

With all that, why on earth would you run beadlocks!? While this question was answered to some degree in the introduction, does hard wheeling alone mean you need beadlocks? The answer really depends on so many factors: Is the rig a daily driver? Do the laws in your state require visual inspections?

To me beadlocks work, but that doesn’t mean they work for you. If you do hardcore wheeling more than once or twice a year, you could benefit from them, but you have to weigh pros with the cons. For instance are you prepared for the maintenance requirements for them? If you aren’t prepared to check the bolts on a routine schedule, you put yourself at risk. So next time you see the guy next door running beadlocks and you decide that you need them on your rig, weigh the options and make the right choice for you. Maybe all you want is the look of beadlocks, but you never air down below 10 psi, then possibly a street lock is a better choice.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Via [Wikipedia]