Which Coats Tire Changer Jaw Is Right for You? | Full Guide

When you’re moving dozens of cars a day through a shop or across multiple locations, every step in your process has to be predictable, fast, and safe. That’s especially true with a tire changer. And one small but critical piece of that puzzle is the tire changer jaw. 

The right jaw grips the wheel securely, protects the rim, and helps your techs mount and demount tires without losing time or damaging a customer’s wheel. The wrong one? That’s lost minutes, frustrated techs, and an expensive comeback. 

Coats Maxx Series tire changers are built for relentless, high-volume work, and part of that reliability comes from giving you options. This guide breaks down the different Coats tire changer jaw types, explains when to use each, and how to select the proper setup for your shop. 

Why the Tire Changer Jaw Matters 

A tire changer jaw is the contact point between your machine and the wheel. It’s responsible for clamping and holding the wheel steady while the machine does the hard work of breaking beads and removing or installing the tire. 

The jaw you choose affects: 

• Speed – Secure clamping means faster mounting and demounting. 

• Wheel protection – The right jaw prevents scratches, marring, or bent rims. 

• Versatility – Different jaws adapt to everything from steel to delicate alloys and oversized wheels. 

• Tech confidence – When the clamp is solid, techs can focus on the process instead of fighting the machine. 

 

Coats Tire Changer Jaw Options 

Coats offers multiple jaw designs and materials to match your wheel mix, shop volume, and protection needs. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown. 

1. Standard Steel Jaws

• • Best for: General automotive work where speed and durability are priorities. 

• • Why choose them: Steel jaws are tough, long-lasting, and ideal for high-volume environments where you see a mix of standard steel and alloy wheels. 

• • Considerations: They can mark soft alloy wheels if used without protection — Coats offers replaceable plastic covers to eliminate that risk. 

• • Ideal shop fit: Fleet service bays, general repair shops, and multi-outlet operators standardizing on one jaw type for most vehicles. 

2. Replaceable Poly Jaw Covers

• • Best for: Protecting high-end or delicate rims. 

• • Why choose them: These slip over your existing jaws and create a non-marring surface. Perfect for chrome, polished aluminum, or painted alloy wheels. 

• • Considerations: Covers will wear over time and should be replaced regularly to maintain protection. 

• • Ideal shop fit: Dealerships, performance shops, and any location serving customers with premium wheels. 

3. Grip-Max® Jaws

• • Best for: High-torque grip on tough bead tires like run-flats and off-road. 

• • Why choose them: Coats’ Grip-Max jaws have a deep, aggressive tooth profile that bites into the wheel for maximum hold, even when breaking stubborn beads. 

• • Considerations: Use with caution on cosmetic surfaces — pair with protection kits for sensitive wheels. 

• • Ideal shop fit: 4×4 specialists, tire dealers handling large SUV/truck inventory, and high-performance service centers. 

4. Internal/External Clamp Jaws

• • Best for: Shops that see a wide range of wheel diameters. 

• • Why choose them: Internal clamping expands into the wheel center, while external clamping grabs the outside of the rim — giving you flexibility in mounting style. 

• • Considerations: Always match clamp style to wheel type for maximum safety and protection. 

• • Ideal shop fit: Multi-outlet operators who want one machine to handle everything from compact cars to light-duty trucks. 

Coats Tire Changer Jaw Comparison Chart 

Jaw Type	Best For	Key Benefits	Considerations	Ideal Shop Fit
Standard Steel Jaws	General automotive work, high volume	Rugged, long-lasting, fast clamping	Can mark alloy rims without covers	Fleet service bays, general repair
Replaceable Poly Covers	Premium or delicate rims	Non-marring, easy to replace	Covers wear over time, need regular replacement	Dealerships, performance shops
Grip-Max® Jaws	Run-flats, off-road, large SUV/truck tires	Aggressive bite, holds tough beads	Use with protection on cosmetic rims	4×4 specialists, high-performance service
Internal/External Clamp Jaws	Wide wheel diameter range	Flexible mounting options	Must match clamp style to wheel type for safety	Multi-outlet operators with varied wheel sizes

 

Matching the Jaw to Your Shop’s Workload 

Whether you’re running a single high-traffic shop or managing a dozen locations, your jaw choice should align with three things: 

1. Your wheel mix – Are you mostly servicing commuter sedans, or do you see a lot of lifted trucks, run-flats, or specialty wheels? 

1. Your tech experience – Seasoned techs may adapt easily between jaw types, but newer staff benefit from the simplicity and consistency of a standard setup across machines. 

1. Your damage risk tolerance – Premium wheel replacement can wipe out a week’s profit on a job. If you see many expensive finishes, invest in jaw protection as standard practice. 

 

Why Standardizing Jaws Across Locations Pays Off 

Multi-outlet owners already know the value of equipment consistency. When every location has the same tire changer jaw setup: 

• Training is faster – Techs moving between shops don’t waste time learning different setups. 

• Service quality stays consistent – No surprises for customers or managers. 

• Inventory control is simpler – Stock one type of replacement part instead of several. 

Coats Maxx Series tire changers are built for this kind of standardization. They’re engineered for serviceability, with replaceable wheel protection options and accessories that can be swapped in quickly to fit the day’s work. 

 

How Coats Maxx Series Makes Jaw Changes Easy 

When Coats designed the Maxx Series, serviceability was a priority. That includes making it quick and straightforward to replace or swap jaws. Here’s what that means for your shop: 

• Tool-free changeovers – Save minutes on the floor. 

• OEM-fit protection kits – No guessing on size or fit — Coats poly covers are made for your jaws. 

• Rugged construction – Jaws are built to withstand thousands of cycles without losing clamping force. 

And with the Coats Service Network, you’ve got factory-trained techs coast-to-coast who can keep your tire changers clamping like new. 

 

Tips for Maximizing Jaw Life 

• Keep them clean – Grit and debris can accelerate wear and reduce grip. 

• Inspect regularly – Look for cracks, bending, or worn protection covers. 

• Use the right jaw for the job – Don’t risk a cosmetic wheel on an aggressive tooth profile without protection. 

• Train your team – Even the best jaw will fail early if it’s misused. 

 

The Bottom Line: Your Tire Changer Jaw Is a Profit Tool 

The tire changer jaw might seem like a small component, but it plays a big role in speed, safety, and customer satisfaction. Choosing the right jaw, and keeping it in top shape, is one of those “small” decisions that can have a big impact on throughput and revenue. 

If you want equipment that’s built for the long haul, keeps your techs confident, and your customers’ wheels safe, look at Coats Maxx Series tire changers. They’re engineered tough, designed for serviceability, and supported by the only nationwide factory-trained service network in the industry.