Shaving the Sidewalls

[Marshall_S]

I've read in other forums of how 'shaving' the sidewalls on some tires like Sedonas can be very benefitial. I am a little uneasy about taking a grinding wheel or belt sander to a new set of Sedonas without really knowing what I'm doing. Does any one know where I can find a good tutorial on how to do this?
Thanks

 

[53 willys]

120 grit and a 90* air angle grinder makes for a nice smooth side wall...I like mine sanded until the lettering is gone..

 

[Harvo]

To do it, put a stiff foam in them but don't put them on a wheel. Also rotate the tire frequently a to not build up too much heat or you can put a hole in the sidewall.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

I use wire cutters to cut the lugs off that I don't want, put stiff foams in it, then use a bench grinder to make them smooth.

 

[Krawler23]

Could you use a belt sander?

 

[SkaldidDog]

Some do but don't let it get sucked in one end. You could mount a complete tire/wheel on a drill, mount the drill in a vice then hit it with an angle grinder with a flap disk while spinning. I've found that the end product is more uniform if the tire is spinning during the process. I prefer a lathe and 40 grit belt squares (see my build thread). For rovers, take off all lettering and the circular bead and then keep removing material until you are happy with the way they feel.

 

[hunterk]

what does shaving the side walls down help with?

 

[trailduster79]

what does shaving the side walls down help with?

I would like to know as well.

 

[ManxCrawler]

1. Reduced weight
2. Increased flexibility
3. Increase clearance on chassis side to the shocks/lower links

 

[ROWDY RACING]

what does shaving the side walls down help with?

I would like to know as well.

Makes the tires lighter, thins the rubber to allow the tires to get more bite, and sometimes side lugs on tires can pull you backwards when in a bind or crawling a crack. It's not for everybody, some like it some don't, works better with some tires, and setups than others.

 

[helhedded]

I have found a shaved tire to be more more beneficial on super high traction rock such as the rock found in the desert out west. With so much traction less lugs are needed to pull the line. There is a such thing as too much traction.... I always like being able to break up the rear end of my truck if I need too all while holding the same line. That's hard to do when you have a lot of traction. A shaved sidewall also helps with spin back when you are driving on the sidewall, but not as much as people think. It still happens. Both setups work well "thumbsup"

 

[CREEPERBOB]

Dremel and sanding drum "thumbsup", did a few super moab sidewalls, was really easy (and messy).

 

[helhedded]

Dremel and sanding drum "thumbsup", did a few super moab sidewalls, was really easy (and messy).

This method works well!


I also have used some 60 grit glued to a thick piece of cardboard and a drive cup with hex installed mounted in a drill. Mount the wheel to the axle, and spin away. Works best with a super stiff foam setup, but it won't get the sidewalls shaved completely. If you want to take off a little this method works well, If you want to take off a lot then the dremel and sanding drum works much better.

 

[Szczerba]

I bougt this a couple weeks ago for just such a task. Not perfect for sanding sidewalls but better than the ol' dremel and mess I have done in the past.
Comes with 80 grit belt. And I couldn't come out of Harbor Freight without buying something.

Belt Sander with 1'' X 30'' Sanding Belt

...

 

[norcrawler]

i always run sanded sidewalls. much better

 

[Kratos]

ill say one place i dont like shaved sidewalls is a place that has tons of holes. those sidelugs can be all that keeps you outta the hole.

 

[ManxCrawler]

I got a Fein multimaster type tool (BOSCH pmf 180e but I can dream) with a sanding pad, would that work?

 

[Erin]

I got a Fein multimaster type tool (BOSCH pmf 180e but I can dream) with a sanding pad, would that work?

It might but it might not be aggressive enough and be time consumming. I've only used those for cutting so thats my basis for comparison. They cut clean but slow.

 

[jdobb]

so is it a must to sand down the side walls. does it make that much of a difference.

 

[ScaleFreak93]

If you read the thread you will find the answer to all of your questions.