Tools needed to change tires

Topic: Tools needed to change tires (Read 1856 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #25 – September 05, 2021, 11:06:27 am

I found the Pierce's video to be informative, but take exception to the comment about the Earthquake being junk. I am fortunate in that I am able to use a FD mechanic (works on fire engine chassis, etc) who will come to my property to do stuff I can't. When he was changing out my rear brake pads, I used the Earthquake to remove the lug nuts. He told me that his $600 Snap On could not do that, which he demonstrated. He bought an Earthquake that week. I've used this tool for a number of jobs that my air impact gun could not do.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #26 – September 05, 2021, 11:54:28 am

Sven,

While I did say that Harbor Freight's air hose on the reel was "junk", it was the words of the fellow in the video about the Earthquake, not mine. The way your worded your post indicates that it was words that I used regarding your impact.

I use many HF products in the garage and on the coach. I never go to Sacramento without stopping at HF. Their air/hydraulic jack is first rate as well as many of their other tools. But for torque, I have found that both the 110V impacts were less powerful than advertised. In using an Earthquake air impact, the fellow in the video may not have had the proper pressure, may have used an air hose with an ID smaller and longer length than needed for the large impact and also may not have used any air tool oil as that almost always makes the tool more powerful.

His Earthquake impact was also air while yours is battery. Sort of like apples and oranges here.

Again, I have no ability to edit any of the words in a YouTube video.

Pierce

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #27 – September 05, 2021, 05:05:05 pm

Pierce,
When writing about the video, I did not intend to imply that they were your words. As I mentioned, it was an informative video, and when he mentioned the Earthquake, I didn't realize he was talking about the air tool. In any case, my sensitivities weren't insulted as I have no particular loyalty to the brand. I have a great appreciation for the tools that have served me well, and like to pass that along. I also have well used Makita, Milwaukee, Rigid and Delta driver/drills and impact drivers (different sizes and locations).

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #28 – May 18, 2022, 12:58:46 pm

I'll probably have to do the tag axle air bags soon and wanted to figure out the most cost effective setup to pull the wheels. I don't plan to ever have to do this on the side of the road, just at home with the convenience of power and air if need be.

Reading through this thread, it seems like the multiplier is the preferred way to get the lugs off, but I haven't determined the best way to tighten them back up to spec. A few posts mention a 300# torque wrench and anti-seize, Scott mentioned a $500 Milwaukee cordless impact, Pierce mentioned a $90 HF corded impact...but was that for tightening as well as removal?

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #29 – May 18, 2022, 01:09:18 pm

Another choice is a 3/4 inch 600 lb. torque wrench,found a 600 lb. Proto for $165 on Ebay.A 300 pounder will not work.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #30 – May 18, 2022, 01:33:01 pm

Quote from: John44 – May 18, 2022, 01:09:18 pm

Another choice is a 3/4 inch 600 lb. torque wrench,found a 600 lb. Proto for $165 on Ebay.A 300 pounder will not work.

A picture of one is in my first post here

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #31 – May 18, 2022, 02:50:07 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – May 18, 2022, 12:58:46 pm

I'll probably have to do the tag axle air bags soon and wanted to figure out the most cost effective setup to pull the wheels. I don't plan to ever have to do this on the side of the road, just at home with the convenience of power and air if need be.

Reading through this thread, it seems like the multiplier is the preferred way to get the lugs off, but I haven't determined the best way to tighten them back up to spec. A few posts mention a 300# torque wrench and anti-seize, Scott mentioned a $500 Milwaukee cordless impact, Pierce mentioned a $90 HF corded impact...but was that for tightening as well as removal?

I do have a couple of big impact, electric and air but here is what I have now that works really well. For existing tight lug nuts, I bought a torque multiplier as seen on my earlier posts. Lots of YouTube videos on how it works and how easy it is. After the wheel has been removed, changed, fixed, whatever, I clean the threads removing all the rust/corrosion. I then wire wheel the nuts to do the same as the threads on the studs and then hit them with a little paint. I then use Mariner's Choice Never Seez Amazon.com: Never-Seez NMCBT-8 Black Gray Mariners Choice Anti-Seize, 8 oz.... and put a little on the threads but never on the mating surfaces. It allows a 41% reduction of torque so I torque to 300#. All Never Seez are not the same and have much different torque reduction so this is the only one to use. Wheel manufactures can't recommend doing it as the torque requirements are so different and a lose wheel could cost them lots of $$$. With the tire not having any load on it from touching the ground, I spin the nuts on with my 1/4" Makita torque drill/driver. Once they are seated, I use a 3/4" 50-300 lb torque wrench like seen here for $60-$70 3/4" ADJUSTABLE REVERSIBLE TORQUE WRENCH 50-300 ft/lb. | eBay and torque the nuts to 300#. Never allow the coach to have weight on the tire until the wheel is torqued. To remove the nuts, I use the same torque wrench or a breaker bar to loosen a turn or so and then my 1/4" Makita cordless to spin them off. Once torqued, slide the plastic/steel nut covers on or first install a loose nut indicator like these: 100 x CHECKPOINTÂ® Yellow Indicators Loose Wheel Nut Safety Pointer Cover...

Note that the torque multiplier can't be used on the rear wheels with the big stainless moon covers on as they are held on by every other wheel nut. I removed ours as you also can't pull an axle with the covers on. Smaller stainless moon covers will fit over the hub and make wheel and axle removal much easier/faster.

You still need to check the type of wheel you have, the size of the nuts and for the stainless moon covers, the axle/hub diameter.

Before you take 41% off the torque, you need to know what the recommended torque is for your coach. Note that some coaches will have left hand threads on the driver's side. I bought a used wood splitter with a broken stud from the owner using an air wrench CCW to remove left hand threaded nuts.

Pierce

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Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #32 – May 18, 2022, 05:27:27 pm

1) A suitable jack.

2) 3/4" drive socket and the matching breaker bar.

2a) Eyeglasses for reading the end of the stud.

3) A really big torque wrench.

Power tools are a fast way to get into trouble.

A torque multiplier is a great way to strip the threads if you miss that "L" on the end of the stud and didn't notice that the thread's spiral comes off to the right.

At home? One of those tire handler things to help you move the tire around.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #33 – May 18, 2022, 05:51:20 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – May 18, 2022, 12:58:46 pm

I'll probably have to do the tag axle air bags soon and wanted to figure out the most cost effective setup to pull the wheels. I don't plan to ever have to do this on the side of the road, just at home with the convenience of power and air if need be.

Reading through this thread, it seems like the multiplier is the preferred way to get the lugs off, but I haven't determined the best way to tighten them back up to spec. A few posts mention a 300# torque wrench and anti-seize, Scott mentioned a $500 Milwaukee cordless impact, Pierce mentioned a $90 HF corded impact...but was that for tightening as well as removal?

Kieth just borrow tools. I have everything you need except motivation
Scott

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #34 – May 18, 2022, 07:38:29 pm

Thanks Scott, that might be the best answer yet!

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #35 – May 18, 2022, 11:47:23 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – May 18, 2022, 12:58:46 pm

I'll probably have to do the tag axle air bags soon and wanted to figure out the most cost effective setup to pull the wheels. I don't plan to ever have to do this on the side of the road, just at home with the convenience of power and air if need be.

Reading through this thread, it seems like the multiplier is the preferred way to get the lugs off, but I haven't determined the best way to tighten them back up to spec. A few posts mention a 300# torque wrench and anti-seize, Scott mentioned a $500 Milwaukee cordless impact, Pierce mentioned a $90 HF corded impact...but was that for tightening as well as removal?

The $90 corded HF impact won't come close to removing the lug nuts. I originally used it to remove and snugging the nuts once they had been loosened. Too many cords so now I just use the little 1/4" 18V Makita to do the same thing.

The battery Snap-On, Milwaukee impact will remove the nuts if not too tight. One battery to loosen, one battery to tighten. If a tire shop has installed the wheel, it may be too tight just as the YouTube "Grease Monkey" found out. He even broke the handle on the torque multiplier. Think he went sideways a bit as it's pretty light weight compared to the tool itself.

Remember that you have to have the proper "flip socket" to remove the inside rear on some Foretravels. Check to see if stud (Budd) or hub piloted. Identify Hub-piloted VS Stud-piloted wheels – Phoenix Coach Global Store

Pierce

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #36 – May 19, 2022, 07:26:51 am

Keith's 03 will have hub piloted/metric wheels. The change from Budd wheels to metric/hub piloted came around coach build #5200 in late '97 early '98.

Mike

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #37 – May 19, 2022, 08:12:54 am

Cash, credit cards, checkbook, good friend willing to change the tire.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #38 – May 19, 2022, 09:12:19 am

Quote from: nitehawk – May 19, 2022, 08:12:54 am

Cash, credit cards, checkbook, good friend willing to change the tire.

I was quite surprised how easy it actually is to change the tires other than the actual weight of muscling them around. I'm still planning on building a box trailer using the 22.5 hub piloted wheels.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #39 – May 19, 2022, 10:21:01 am

Not so easy to do when your dominant hand doesn't want to work. Or when there are weight restrictions because of all the damn surgeries and age.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #40 – May 19, 2022, 10:33:21 am

Quote from: nitehawk – May 19, 2022, 10:21:01 am

Not so easy to do when your dominant hand doesn't want to work. Or when there are weight restrictions because of all the damn surgeries and age.

But we persevere and either take the time to do the work around(s), or whip out our debit card and say those magic words: "Please Help Yourself."

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #41 – May 19, 2022, 10:40:38 am

Quote from: dsd – May 19, 2022, 09:12:19 am

I was quite surprised how easy it actually is to change the tires other than the actual weight of muscling them around. I'm still planning on building a box trailer using the 22.5 hub piloted wheels.

Our spare is in the compartment and I try to lift the driver's side with the air and then pull it out a little and rotate it to the verticle position. I roll it to where ever it is going on (front right the last time) and then saw it back and forth until the holes match the studs. I raise it up with the air jack until the studs are centered on the wheel to be removed and then lean the top of the tire toward me and saw back and forth a little until the holes clear the studs and then more aggressive sawing until it clears the fender. I always lean the tire against something so it's never horizontal on the ground. Putting the spare on is just the reverse procedure. You can saw the tire as fast or as slow as you feel like. Will weld up a tool to allow the air jack to raise the front with a flat tire and i-beam close to the ground.

The only times I have to get on the ground the to place the air jack and remove it. The control on the hose allows adjusting from outside not under the coach.

Pierce

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #42 – May 19, 2022, 10:53:55 am

The only part I found hard in pulling the wheels was getting them off and thanks to Scott for
the shovel technique that is now easy. As I run snow tires in the winter I change the rears
twice a year. This year I will pull the front wheels to check the brakes. If the nuts are too tight
for the Milwaukee impact I use a 3/4 drive ratchet with a 10 an extension 33mm socket and 5 ft.
of pipe. When I first got snow tires the tire shop put them on and my son estimated that 2 of the
nuts were on at 1200 ft. lbs. That took more pipe. Nobody touches my wheel now.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #43 – May 19, 2022, 01:06:26 pm

ANYTHING is possible to he or she that is willing to have the desire and put in the effort.

Probably everybody here has the plastic by which to take the easy approach....I for one trust no one to do what I can accomplish myself. Been screwed by or seen poor workmanship too many times. " Be glad to screw you again sir, sorry about that, go have a seat and we will correct that when we get to you"...no thanks.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #44 – May 19, 2022, 01:39:51 pm

Quote from: mkc1962 – May 19, 2022, 01:06:26 pm

ANYTHING is possible to he or she that is willing to have the desire and put in the effort.

Probably everybody here has the plastic by which to take the easy approach....I for one trust no one to do what I can accomplish myself. Been screwed by or seen poor workmanship too many times. " Be glad to screw you again sir, sorry about that, go have a seat and we will correct that when we get to you"...no thanks.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #45 – May 19, 2022, 05:38:00 pm

For my Freightliner Mt55 with the 7/8" studs and M33 nuts which has the integral washer, they recommend a drop of oil on the washer/nut bearing surface and a drop on the stud threads. 450-500 ft lbs. torque for the steel rims.

I bought the Milwaukee M18 3/4" drive also. That is one sweet tool. When I get the nuts torqued properly I'll set the impact to match. And it is loud, hearing protection suggested.

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #46 – May 19, 2022, 10:22:37 pm

I bought the Milwaukee 1/2 drive fuel that had 1400 ft lb of loosening torque and 1200 ft lb of tightening torque I use a torque multiplier that looks like a ratchet heat it has a 4 to 1 turning reduction but the torque is around 3.4 to 1. I set my 250 lb torque wrench at 145 lb so it gives me a torque of around 490 to 500 lbs for the lug nuts
Chris

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #47 – May 20, 2022, 11:57:11 am

Like the old saying:"Mind over matter". But, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
There have been times when I am stymied about something and the DW will come out and make a suggestion. AND IT WORKS!!!
(don't you just hate that?))

Re: Tools needed to change tires

Reply #48 – September 07, 2023, 02:46:54 pm

Quote from: erniee – September 02, 2021, 07:44:59 am

There are torque multipliers on the market.
Since I'm old and wiser my American Express gold does all the labor for me.- just sayin'

I was thinking the exact same thing :-) The only torque I experience anymore is the downward weight of my coffee up on my wrist while I watch the young guys wrestle those tires......

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