Solving my tire problems

[CosmickGold]

I bought a 1-ton Chevy Express van, and found I could NOT turn the nuts on the tires. What if I had a flat? I used the factory-included wrench, even tried jumping on the end of the handle without any luck. So I took my van to a mechanic, all question marks (????) about how such a feat could be accomplished. He came out with his air-powered "nut twister offer" and with some loud "ZZZZoooms!", the nuts spun right off, and then on again. "How???" I asked, as he didn't even seem to be straining with that small tool in his hands. "Just takes the right tool" he answered as he walked back into his garage.

So I went to my computer and looked up "tire twister offer", and soon learned the correct name is "Impact Wrench" (a name I never would have guessed, as it certainly doesn't look like the wrench set in my tool kit, and what does "impact" have to do with anything?).

So then I went to YouTube and searched for "Impact Wrench". This video compares several battery-operated models to determine the best. Having that info, I went to Amazon.com and purchased the one I liked most.

It came in the mail and I could hardly wait to try it. Man that's amazing!!! It just spins those nuts right off and on again like nothin' to it! I've learned it works by collecting the mild amount of torque you are holding on the tool with your hands, and then thrusting all of that torque -- all at once -- against the nut in a sudden "impact". In that instant the nut has no choice but to turn, because the torque it feels in that instant is many times the torque strength you are applying with your hands. And it goes through this process many times a second, making that loud "ZZZZoooms!" sound.

Needless to say, I think every van and schoolie should have one! It make tire work as easy as buttoning and unbuttoning your shirt. No joke!

 

[peteg59]

Handy tool if one has the physical ability to heft a tire/rim combo around on the side of the road. Along with a jack, properly placed I might add! (Think safety at all times).
In my younger years it was totally doable.
Not so much today.
That's what AAA is for. Never go out without it!

 

[Overland One]

I love my Ryobi impact wrench. Just know that you should not use an impact wrench to tighten lugnuts. I use mine to put them on in a cross pattern to center the wheel but not all that tight. (My wrench has the ability to snap off the wheels studs if I hit them too hard) I then torque them to the correct specs for my van which is 100 ft. pounds. I finally bought one of those nice digital torque measuring units in 1/2" drive that will go on my breaker bar and it makes things a lot easier and I know they are put on correctly.

 

[eDJ_]

Before anyone goes on the road they should check the tightness of their tires Lug Nuts with the tools provided with that vehicle. 80 to 100 ft/lbs is the general rule. (closer to 100 ft/lbs if you have aluminum wheels) You should know, before leaving the Tire Shop, or home that you can get them off again should you have a flat. (each vehicle manufacturer has specifications for this)

There is no end to some of these greasers who over tighten those lug nuts with their impact wrenches. I worked in gas stations as a kid and saw a few red faced customer come in and present my boss with a bill from a wrecker service who had to be called because the owner couldn't break the lug nuts free himself with the cars tool set. Some even went over the boss's head directly to the company demanding restitution with threat of a law suit. Then the customer got a refund and the "wrench monkey" got fired. (who knows how many other customers would be faced with the same problem in time)

I carry a 4-Way Lug Wrench and when I have new tires installed I check to see if I can get the Lug Nuts loose and then re-tighten them before I leave the shop.

In the worst case some of these installers want to put the Lug Nuts on with the Impact Wrench which often results in stripped threads. Bad Bad Bad news if you're on the road with a flat and have to be towed to the shop for repairs. (You can understand why customers come back on shop owners with threats of law suits in this matter)

4-Way Lug Wrench

 

[Gr8ful]

I have a Williams Torque Multiplier 3/4" on 1 side & 1" on the other. No batteries or cords & stores small. I've never found anything it won't loosen. Here's a short you tube on a cheaper copy

 

[LoupGarou]

I can't remember when I last changed a tire, but I have plugged many to get to a shop.

 

[bullfrog !]

I haven’t changed a tire on the side of the road in years but have used several tire plugs/tire repair kits/ Stan’s tubeless tire sealant and a 12 volt compressor or on smaller tires my Ryobi 18 volt inflator. I still carry a full size spare and tools to change a destroyed tire when traveling over the road but at my age I sure don’t want to use them! Lol!!!

 

[INTJohn]

Umm 36” to 42” long pipe over my lug nut wrench has always workt 4 me and lots cheaper……..

It’s called cheep levrage.
jonny boi sayin

 

[user 36441]

I'm with INTJohn. I slip a 3-foot long piece of pipe over the 4-point lug wrench and tighten (or loosen!) by hand. Never had a problem. The extra length does the multiplying. Why complicate things?

 

[bullfrog !]

I carry an adjustable jack stand (or just right height rock or piece of wood) to hold the opposite end of the 4way lug wrench on the nut so I can stand on the wrench using my weight to turn the wrench the way I want it to go. If that doesn’t work I use the piece of pipe I use for a jack handle over the end of the lug wrench and stand on that. Ain’t many lug studs I can’t break off with my 200 lbs on the end of a 4’ pipe.

 

[[email protected]]

Battery powered tools are the thing to own. A lot safer than those long cheater pipes.

 

[user 36441]

Battery powered tools are the thing to own. A lot safer than those long cheater pipes.

I've never hurt myself with a cheater pipe but I almost broke my thumb once with an impact wrench.

 

[bullfrog !]

^^^ Not me! I’m one of the few that have worked many years in a commercial garage changing all kinds of tires that still has his front teeth and no broken bones. I did herniate myself trying to catch a falling tire though.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

My 2012 Ram 2500 has a torque spec on the lugs of 120 ft-lbs. I cannot break those free with a cross wrench. I carry an impact socket to fit my lugs, breaker bar, torque stick, 24" 'cheater' pipe, and penetrating oil. I also carry a board to stabilize the jack and a jack stand to stabilize the truck.

Any tire shop worried about lawsuits will torque the lugs to spec not what the customer can get off.

 

[user 36441]

^^^ Not me! I’m one of the few that have worked many years in a commercial garage changing all kinds of tires that still has his front teeth and no broken bones. I did herniate myself trying to catch a falling tire though.

^^^ Not me! I’m one of the few that have worked many years in a commercial garage changing all kinds of tires that still has his front teeth and no broken bones. I did herniate myself trying to catch a falling tire though.

I was being facetious about the pipe. Not about the impact wrench.

 

[user 36441]

(message deleted)

 

[eDJ_]

This could work for anyone wanting to make one. You just need a sturdy 4 way.

 

[Overland One]

This could work for anyone wanting to make one. You just need a sturdy 4 way.

Nice idea. That and a 3 foot long pipe will loosen any lug nut I should think. On my other van, I used a cross wrench (Before I got my cordless impact) and I could not loosen the lug nuts by standing on the end even though I weighed 200 pounds at that time so, I added the pipe and it was easy. I did not have a nice stand like you show so I could really only use one leg to try to push down with while trying to hold the outside end from dropping down which could round off the nut. I bet a person could get a lot more torque than I got using your stand without worrying about keeping the wrench horizonal. Excellent design.

 

[sithigh]

Great idea! I will make and carry it in my vehicles. I also used to hold the end in the far hand while pulling up with the other and pushing down with the foot on that side as I bent my knee to put all my weight to full use. But your idea is much better.

 

[bullfrog !]

A jack stand has a wider base and won’t split!