A couple years ago I picked up a used set of KMC XD series rims with some half done Koyo M/T open country 285's. The tires are completely worn out now so i picked up a set of BF Goodrich KO2's and after researching a little bit decided to change them out myself. That and not trusting anyone local to do it since they have probably never seen a bead-lock. Well its not going so good. The ring refuses to come off. I carefully pried it, banged on it with a rubber mallet and even put 30lbs of air pressure in the tire with the ring unbolted. I finally broke the bead on the back side but it took 7 or 8 passes with both 4runners. Its like they red locktited the tire on. I put some deep creep in all the ring holes and will let it sit until sunday when I have more time to work on it. I take it this is not normal at least from the videos I watched. I figured I had 4 hours and could get a couple done but have not even got the first tire off. Any suggestions would be appreciated

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Apply some heat? IDK

Thanks cl4Rk, but I am not sure I want to use much heat on painted aluminum. It is possible I could just burn the whole tire off, but that is not the most environmentally friendly solution

Did you try tightening the bolt up a bit (breaking any kind of surface corrosion), then try loosening it.
Or you could use vibration in form of an impact and or a pneumatic hammer on the bolt.

Thanks HiLife, I will give that a try. I tried to put a longer bolt in there to lift the ring but the ring bolts seem to be a finer not common thread, and being it is just threaded into aluminum I need to be careful.

Well i figured out the problem and once again its me. Took a careful look this afternoon with a mirror and a light and its a fake bead lock. The "ring" is simply part of the rim with bolts for show. Now I can just bring it to the local garage where they can change it with a machine. Its not a problem they are not real bead locks, I bought them because they were cheap and I liked the way they looked. Its harder to admit I am an idiot but since that is the truth you guys are going to have to deal with that

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HAHA - laugh it off - I am usually my own worst enemy! I was going to ask for a pic of the beadlock side, but then I thought better of it - never had a set, so WTF would I know anyway?

I have never owned a set of bead locks either and I still haven't.

Lol, I had that in the back of my mind and wondered if those were true beadlocks. No harm no foul, just got to laugh about the moment.
Too many serious things going on right now everywhere else.
I can appreciate times where I can just laugh it off by myself or with friends.