Skip to main content
Topic: Tools for Self Maintenance (Read 954 times) previous topic - next topic

Tools for Self Maintenance

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

Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #1
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.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #2
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
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #3
...to get the wheels off you will need one that goes to 450,500 lbs.
:o
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #4
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #5
Best tool I think for removing a wheel on the road is a towing service and a VISA card. Just sayin'...
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #6
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
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #7
Whatever P. Wyatt Sabourin has!
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #8
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #9
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.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #10
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.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #11
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
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #12
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

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #13
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

Keith

The price has more than doubled since  I bought mine. They are red and they used another name, but still from Harbor Freight
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #14
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 a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #15
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #16
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

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.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #17
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


Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #18
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?
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Tools for Self Maintenance

Reply #19
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean