Spare front tire won't fit

[cgmg]

Made an interesting discovery today. After replacing my water pump, I pulled the machine outside to run it up to remove air from the cooling system. When I finished, and was turning to taxi back to the hangar, the steering was really stiff.

Found out why, the front tire had gone flat.

I have a spare tire and wheel, so just pulled the flat one, and tried to replace it with the spare. Couldn't get the wheel bolt to go thru the second side, the top of the tire kept hitting something. Looked up inside the wheel cover, and didn't see anything obvious. But the bottom face of the yoke had a shiny spot on it, like the tire occasionally rubs it.

Aired up the flat, and it went in with no clearance issues. These tires are both the same size, just different manufacturers. I have switched out the front tire before, and not come across this issue.

So has anyone else had this issue with a front tire not fitting due to clearance at the top of the yoke? This is the upgraded heavy duty front yoke, not the original.

[scottessex]

Even with car tires, different mfgs will be slightly different sizes. Sometimes you just have to stick with what works.

[idahodreamer]

I'm having the same problem on the RAF I'm working on. When I bought the machine I was told the tires were replaced because they were looking bad. The tire that is on the front will rub on the top of the yoke unless I leave it pretty much flat. Original stock yoke I believe. Does anyone know a brand that works? I'd hate to buy one blind and have the same issue.

[Aussie_Paul]

Originally Posted by cgmg

Made an interesting discovery today. After replacing my water pump, I pulled the machine outside to run it up to remove air from the cooling system. When I finished, and was turning to taxi back to the hangar, the steering was really stiff.

Found out why, the front tire had gone flat.

I have a spare tire and wheel, so just pulled the flat one, and tried to replace it with the spare. Couldn't get the wheel bolt to go thru the second side, the top of the tire kept hitting something. Looked up inside the wheel cover, and didn't see anything obvious. But the bottom face of the yoke had a shiny spot on it, like the tire occasionally rubs it.

Aired up the flat, and it went in with no clearance issues. These tires are both the same size, just different manufacturers. I have switched out the front tire before, and not come across this issue.

So has anyone else had this issue with a front tire not fitting due to clearance at the top of the yoke? This is the upgraded heavy duty front yoke, not the original.

Yes, a number of times over the years. I used to use a half worn out tyre from the mains.

Aussie Paul.

[idahodreamer]

good idea maybe I'll swap one of the mains for the front and see if it works, that would save some $$