Tire apparatus and method of making a tire assembly

A tire support apparatus (100, 300) for installing components into a tire is disclosed. It comprises a support plate (120) for receiving the tire thereon and (i) an upper plate (110) having a hole (112) for receiving a support member (130), said upper plate further including a ring (160) having an inner lip (161) for seating against a bead region of the tire and having a radially outer surface (162) for seating against a lower sidewall region of the tire (T); and/or (ii) an upper plate (110) having a heated ring (160) having an inner lip (161) for seating against a bead region of the tire and a radially outer surface for seating against a lower sidewall region of the tire (T), wherein the upper plate (110) has an inlet port for providing pressurized fluid to the tire (T). Also, a corresponding method for making an air maintenance tire assembly is disclosed.