Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Hans&Marjet on May 19, 2016, 04:07:47 pm

Title: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Hans&Marjet on May 19, 2016, 04:07:47 pm
All....

Looking for recommendations what others are using for "lifting and wheel removal" . Want to remove the wheels and check the brakes/bearings etc.... Have shimmy upon hard brake application. Impact guns..?? Air vs Hydraulic bottle jacks..20K lbs enough ?

Thx

Hans

Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: John44 on May 19, 2016, 04:30:06 pm
Have not had occasion to remove wheel yet,I put have a 6 to 1 torque multiplier and a 1/2 inch torque wrench,have a 20 ton
bottle jack,no air,the air is higher priced and heavier,jack can be whatever you prefer.Impact gun is ok but to get the wheels
off you will need one that goes to 450,500 lbs.You can find used matco and snap on on ebay pretty cheap,I was lucky as
I had most of these tools already.With the 6 to 1 you can loosen the wheel with 70lbs.
Also have plenty of wood to put under jack and wheels.The price of the 20 ton is not much more then the 10 ton.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 19, 2016, 05:13:17 pm
Hans,

We use a 20 ton hyd. jack, torque multiplier, 1" drive socket, 6" extension, break over bar. Going back we add a torque wrench for proper torque. With you having a '95 you will have Budd wheels (stud piloted) so one side will be left handed threads.  You will also need a Budd socket that will fit the inner wheel studs.

If you have air and a gun close that makes removal a snap but even with that available I still hand torque going back.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on May 19, 2016, 05:21:37 pm
...to get the wheels off you will need one that goes to 450,500 lbs.
:o
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: craneman on May 19, 2016, 05:39:08 pm
If you are going to buy the tools, when you buy the sockets don't get the combination wheel-budd socket get a 13/16 impact square. The combinations are only good when they are new, after that they round off the square budd nut. Possibly an equipment rental yard would be your best bet if you are not going to need the tools very often. If you do buy get one of the 500 Lb. plus 1/2 inch drive impact guns. Ingersol Rand has one a lot cheaper than Snap On
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: lgshoup on May 19, 2016, 05:45:35 pm
Best tool I think for removing a wheel on the road is a towing service and a VISA card. Just sayin'...
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Jim Frerichs on May 19, 2016, 06:15:26 pm
Hi Hans,

Air over hydraulic is the easiest way to lift heavy coaches. However, be sure to check the collapsed height of the jack you buy.
In my case it is too tall by about 2 inches so I use a smalller hydraulic bottle jack or floor jack to lift it high enough to place my air over hydraulic jack.

Others may have more ideas. 
Jim

2002 U320
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Twig on May 19, 2016, 06:20:17 pm
Whatever P. Wyatt Sabourin has!
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: craneman on May 19, 2016, 06:22:32 pm
Hi Hans,

Air over hydraulic is the easiest way to lift heavy coaches. However, be sure to check the collapsed height of the jack you buy.
In my case it is too tall by about 2 inches so I use a smalller hydraulic bottle jack or floor jack to lift it high enough to place my air over hydraulic jack.

Others may have more ideas. 
Jim

2002 U320

I have the Harbor Freight 20 ton air over hydraulic which was on sale for under $50 dollars when I bought two. I just drive up on a piece of lumber to get the clearance for the jack.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: its toby on May 19, 2016, 09:41:58 pm
20 ton jack lifts my whole front end ok but is at its max to lift the rear, it can lift one side at a time ok.  As for sockets I got decent ones made by kent moore at carquest.  I use 3/4 drive you can get a ratchet and breaker bar with extensions  fairly cheap and I put a handle from a car jack for leverage. I have a 3/4 impact good for 1000 ft/lbs but  the 3/8 airline will not flow enough air for big power.  I bought a used torque wrench for 200 and had calibration checked (make sure you get a reversible torque wrench).  If the wheels haven't been off for a long time be prepared for very tight inner studs on the back.  Having a friend to keep some inward pressure on the extension  and hold it level will help keep the socket from slipping. If no helper you an support the extension at the ratchet with a jack stand.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: prfleming on May 19, 2016, 10:19:53 pm
20 ton jack lifts my whole front end ok but is at its max to lift the rear, it can lift one side at a time ok.

Intended as FYI for everyone, DO NOT try to lift either the entire front axle or back axle with one jack in the middle. With the weight of our coaches, this is too much force all in one spot and can damage the axle or differential.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: fkjohns6083 on May 19, 2016, 10:41:03 pm
For our 91 GV, I use a 20 ton hydraulic bottle jack.  It works very well, but I would not change tires.  That is best left to roadside service people.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Keith and Joyce on May 20, 2016, 01:09:22 pm
This is the 20 ton jack I have in the coach.  much easier than a manual.  Don't forget to block the axle you are working on as well as use the safety blocks in the suspension if its off it's stops.

Hydraulic Jack - 20 Ton Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-air-over-hydraulic-jack-95553.html)

Keith
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: craneman on May 20, 2016, 02:06:44 pm
This is the 20 ton jack I have in the coach.  much easier than a manual.  Don't forget to block the axle you are working on as well as use the safety blocks in the suspension if its off it's stops.

Hydraulic Jack - 20 Ton Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-air-over-hydraulic-jack-95553.html)

Keith

The price has more than doubled since  I bought mine. They are red and they used another name, but still from Harbor Freight
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: its toby on May 20, 2016, 02:55:36 pm
This is a great tool for removing and installing the wheels of you are working on a hard surface. Rollers allow you to rotate the wheel to line up studs and really makes it easy.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: craneman on May 20, 2016, 05:23:34 pm
This is a great tool for removing and installing the wheels of you are working on a hard surface. Rollers allow you to rotate the wheel to line up studs and really makes it easy.

Thanks I didn't know what an inexpensive dolly looked like, I just found one for $79.00 on-line. I have been using a piece of plywood all these years.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: rsihnhold on May 22, 2016, 08:25:41 am
I use the same air and hydraulic jack from Harbor Freight that Keith does along with their 12 ton jackstands.

12 Ton Steel Jack Stands (http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/jack-stands/12-ton-steel-jack-stands-61599.html)

I've got a Makita 18v impact wrench that will loosen and tighten the lug nuts but I've used the newer Milwaukee unit and it is capable too.

http://makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=XWT08Z

Our engine mounted air compressors don't really supply enough air to be usable with air tools so it can be a tedious process.  I originally carried a ten gallon air tank with me that I would put inline between the air system and the air gun but I'd still only be able to remove a couple of lugnuts before having to stop and wait for air pressure to build up again.  The newer cordless impact wrenches now have the same capabilities as the top air guns without all the waiting around.
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: Hans&Marjet on May 25, 2016, 04:57:33 pm
This is a great tool for removing and installing the wheels of you are working on a hard surface. Rollers allow you to rotate the wheel to line up studs and really makes it easy.
Toby..

Where can I buy one..??

Thx
Hans


Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: its toby on May 25, 2016, 06:13:20 pm
Ours came through carquest because they are the preferred vendor at work. I have seen them in a G2S tool catalogue. @craneman where did you find yours?
Title: Re: Tools for Self Maintenance
Post by: craneman on May 26, 2016, 12:03:20 am
Ours came through carquest because they are the preferred vendor at work. I have seen them in a G2S tool catalogue. @craneman where did you find yours?

Unique truck equipment  $73.98  Uniquetruck.com is the website