A bead breaking device (10) to break a bead (71) from a rim (81) of a wheel (80), comprising an assembly (20, 90) for mounting the device upon a wheel; a first arm (40) pivotally connected to the assembly; means for rotating (50) the first arm; and a breaking tool (60), carried at one end of the first arm and rotatable therewith relative to the assembly. A method for breaking a tire bead from a rim of a wheel, comprises the steps of mounting a wheel and a tire on a bead breaking machine; locating a bead breaking device on the machine, the device providing a bead breaking tool and at least a first arm carrying the tool at one end; forcing the bead breaking tool between the bead of the tire and the rim at one point on the circumference of the rim; and rotating the first arm and bead breaking tool sufficiently to cause the tool to separate the seal between the bead and the rim.