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AirHog · 05-22-2015, 09:54 PM

As long we are on the tires/wheels subject-how does one remove the covers of the lug nuts. I wanted to take them off without scratching them so I could check the torque on the lug nuts. I tried one of those plastic coated wrench made for lug nut cover remover-did not budge.

Many thanks,

Titu

73shark · 05-22-2015, 11:00 PM

While there is a special tool with coated jaws, I put some tape on Channel Locks. I do have to wiggle it back and forth to loosen them tho.

Boxster1971 · 05-23-2015, 08:39 AM

To be clear the Alcoa wheels on front and rear are identical, except their polish finishes are on different sides. The design of all light/medium dual wheel truck systems are based on wheels with an offset design that can be used in any wheel position.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

Boxster1971 · 05-23-2015, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirHog

As long we are on the tires/wheels subject-how does one remove the covers of the lug nuts. I wanted to take them off without scratching them so I could check the torque on the lug nuts. I tried one of those plastic coated wrench made for lug nut cover remover-did not budge.

Many thanks,

Titu

Your tool is correct - just try a little harder. The wrench you are using may also be for larger lug nuts so it will be a bit more difficult. I use one of those wrenches and it does work.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

FlaBucki · 05-23-2015, 10:40 AM

As a newbie last year I asked the dealer to rotate my AI tires at the 10k service. When I picked my rig up, they had not done it, as it apparently is not standard at 10k. I took my AI to a Goodyear truck tire center and left it for the rotation. When I arrived for pickup later I asked WTH?, all my rims were turned out. After much discussion with the manager and rim inspection, it was definitively determined that the tires have to be dismounted in order to rotate and keep the shiny sides out. I agreed to return the next day to have that done. When I got home that day and looked over the ugly sides out, I realized most of my lug nut covers were missing. When I returned the next day for the breakdown and remount, I asked about the covers and they did not have them; was told they must have fallen off!

Well, they did the remount and the manager actually no charged me for all the trouble and missing lug nut covers. I left the next day on a 1,000 mile trip and the tires were shaking so bad on the road my wife refused to help drive. I had a real balance job done at my destination.

Last week I was in Ohio and had some warranty items cleared at Jackson Center. I assumed the service center there could hook me up with some new lug nut covers. Response was that they only sell them as full sets with the hub covers and all four wheels would run a little north of $300. Yikes. I know there are other postings herein about the covers available from the OEM, I will go that route.

Moral of the story - I agree with others: skip the rotation if all seems well wear wise.

Lily&Me · 05-23-2015, 11:06 AM

Well, our Interstate has had the tires rotated and balanced about every 6,000 miles since purchase 8 years ago. Doug said this was best, this is what we and now I have always done.

There was a nominal charge for rotation, now no charge because the tire place that installed the new ones then does this for free. We have replaced them twice.

As it is free, there is nothing lost but a bit of time, and it always feels good to have everything looked at thoroughly, pressure checked, etc.

I believe we have Goodyear tires, but would have to look to be certain. You can go into any Goodyear place in the country and they will rotate and balance your tires for free. We have done this a number of times.

Why not?

Maggie

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Boxster1971 · 05-23-2015, 12:05 PM

Maggie - yes rotation on your older Interstate with just four wheels makes a lot of sense. But on the newer ones with dual rear wheels and Alcoa polished wheels it is not cost effective. The rear tires should wear evenly if the have been balanced properly. If the fronts are wearing uneven you probably need an alignment. My original Continental tires started to show uneven wear on the front due to alignment problem.

### Advice to all new Interstate owners. Take your Sprinter to a good dealer or alignment shop and have the front camber reset. Mercedes sets the camber in the factory on an empty van. Then Airstream loads it up to nearly 10,000 pounds and the front camber is no longer correct. Airstream should fix this but they don't. ###

I replaced the tires at 30,000 miles because I had a rear flat and two worn front tires. I then had Michelins put on and front camber reset. After another 20,000 miles all are wearing evenly.
Another factor to consider is how much you drive every year. If you don't drive much the tires will age out before they wear out.
The cost to have tires rotated by removing them from the rims and having them re-balanced offsets any potential savings from getting them to last longer.

Lily&Me · 05-23-2015, 12:40 PM

Ahhhh.....thanks for that clarification.

I thought.....what??!!.....don't rotate tires??

My tire folks also require you sign a spot that acknowledges you have been advised to return 50 miles after rotation to have the lug nuts re-tightened.

No doubt, a disaster of some sort caused that little bit of documentation.

Maggie

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

73shark · 05-23-2015, 06:42 PM

All of the vehicles I've owned w/ aluminum wheels stated in the owner's manual to re-torque the lug nuts after 50 miles. Probably not a bad idea w/ steel wheels but not as necessary.

Protagonist · 05-23-2015, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

### Advice to all new Interstate owners. Take your Sprinter to a good dealer or alignment shop and have the front camber reset. Mercedes sets the camber in the factory on an empty van. Then Airstream loads it up to nearly 10,000 pounds and the front camber is no longer correct. Airstream should fix this but they don't. ###

When I had my Koni shocks and struts installed at my Mercedes dealer, they did a front-end alignment as part of the deal. That may be one reason I've never experienced the uneven tread wear that some others have.

PSchw · 05-24-2015, 08:41 AM

My front tires been worn out with 25k replaced it with Michelins and had the front realigned twice until the changed the alignment on the chamber from -1 to +1 now it runs great and even wear on the front Michelins adding a 30k. The rear still look ok with the original Continentals. Watching the shop changing out my front tires I don't want the to touch them anymore then I have to. The Alcoa are a little tricky to put on and if it is not done right it destroy them. They don't take the covers of the locknuts which leads to you gone lose them so I replaced my locknuts with chrome once without a cover.

X New Yorker · 05-26-2015, 08:19 PM

I'm just really happy to have one... and I love her!

drgene · 05-31-2015, 09:30 AM

Boxter1971, are you saying the steel spare tire/rim will fit any of the 6 tire/rims as a quick fix for a flat? I assumed it was only a quick fix for the inner dually rims and would require taking the tire off of the spare and transferring it over to any of the 4 Alcoa rims. Obviously not a roadside job.
Thanks for any info.

Boxster1971 · 05-31-2015, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgene

Boxter1971, are you saying the steel spare tire/rim will fit any of the 6 tire/rims as a quick fix for a flat? I assumed it was only a quick fix for the inner dually rims and would require taking the tire off of the spare and transferring it over to any of the 4 Alcoa rims. Obviously not a roadside job.
Thanks for any info.

Yes - the spare will fit on any of the six wheel positions.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter