Flat Tire HELP

[Chaffmc]

I'm on the side of the road with a flat (25' Safari). I can't get the lug nuts to loosen, but there is a tiny bit of play both ways...maybe 1/16". If anyone can help please give me a call 757-574-2709.

Thanks!
Mark

[BeachHouse]

I don't know what is needed to get the lug nuts loose. But I do understand that it is alright to pull it with three good tires a short distance. Just go slow.

[dkottum]

That tiny bit of play both ways is not the lug not loosening, but the decorative chrome cover. This cover does not come off, it is pressed onto the actual lug nuts, it is often a bit loose. Someone may have muscled the nuts on there without a torque wrench. You need a longer bar to break them loose.

Many have replaced these original lug nuts with a solid chromed version.

doug k

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by jupitorj

I don't know what is needed to get the lug nuts loose. But I do understand that it is alright to pull it with three good tires a short distance. Just go slow.

Yes, but tire damage is a possibility.

[Chaffmc]

Yeah, my lug wrench is pathetic and I couldn't get enough torque to loosen the nuts. A DOT truck stopped to help out and we got them loose. Got the spare on and all is well. Funny thing is the flat looks fine. I'm going to air it up tomorrow to find the leak but was wondering if I could have side loaded it and broke the seal on the rim? Has anyone heard of this happening?

Mark

[TBRich]

We use our torque wrench to get lug bolts off and on...works far better than a regular lug wrench because you have far better leverage... It's good to check your lug bolts for tightness periodically anyway...Don't leave home without it...

Glad you got it changed and all is well...

[dkottum]

TB, or anyone, does it hurt the calibration of the torque wrench to use it as a breaker bar? If not that would be great and one less tool to carry around.

doug k

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by TBRich

We use our torque wrench to get lug bolts off and on...works far better than a regular lug wrench because you have far better leverage... It's good to check your lug bolts for tightness periodically anyway...Don't leave home without it...

Glad you got it changed and all is well...

I may be wrong, but I seam to recall reading or hearing that you should not use your torque wrench to remove the lug nuts because it can be damaged (thrown out of calibration?). I would like to hear from the pros if this is true or not.

[TBRich]

I have not heard that there's an issue with using a torque wrench to loose lug bolts. The calibration of the torque wrench is adjustable ... I don't see the harm of loosening a lug bolt with it if the calibration is reset before using it to torque lug bolts....especially when it's nearly impossible to loosen the lug bolts without it.

[SeeMore]

Adjust your torque wrench to a setting higher, say 100 lbs, than the applied setting, usually 85 lbs. You won't damage your calibration.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, you can use a torque wrench for removal, but I personally carry a breaker bar for this purpose. Remember to unwind your torque wrench when not being used; Mine stores at the lowest setting, which is 20lbs.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by dkottum

TB, or anyone, does it hurt the calibration of the torque wrench to use it as a breaker bar? If not that would be great and one less tool to carry around.

doug k

Most torque wrenches can be damaged by, well, excessive torque.

The old "beam style" ones get thrown out of calibration.

On the newer "ratchet with a click" style ones the ratchet is the weak point, especially on the cheaply made ones. I've wrecked one just by using it at the high end of its torque range.

Even the really good ratchets aren't as strong as flex heads.

[urnmor]

By now you may have the lug nuts loose if not you might want to try adding leverage to your lug wrench by adding the brass bar used to help with the sway bars. this just might provide the leverage you need.

I replaced my lug wrench with the old fashion ones that came with the cars way back when. They look like a cross and have four different nut sizes on the end. They provide significantly more leverage then the single bar wrenches.

John

[Melody Ranch]

For everyone. In a discussion with Kip, our resident Airplane/Airstream metal magician, at the Resto Rally in Albuquerque, overtightened tight lug nuts came up in discussion.
We were amazed at the way our favorite tire shops....and some of us doing our own maintenance....install tires.
Watch 'em. Tire off. Tire installed and placed on Airstream. Air wrench used to tighten all lug nuts. Then (if your lucky) a quick run around with the torque wrench.
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
How are they going to check the torque reliably AFTER putting the nuts on with a powerful air wrench...? If they over tightened the nut you will never know with that torquing....and you may be so overtightened that you will not be able to take the tire off without a breaker bar. The torquing has to begin below the lbs set on the wrench. Make 'em do it right.

[Chaffmc]

So what is the proper torque, or does it differ by model?

[TG Twinkie]

80# is sufficient. Don't use the torque wrench. Get a cross wrench or long breaker bar to remove the lug nuts.

[Scott J-24]

I was at our SoCal AS dealer and asked their service manager what the correct torque for our 2009 27FB should be and was told to set it at 110ft lb. Comments welcome, always want to know and understand more....

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Scott J-24

I was at our SoCal AS dealer and asked their service manager what the correct torque for our 2009 27FB should be and was told to set it at 110ft lb. Comments welcome, always want to know and understand more....

Hi, my trailer's lug nuts are supposed to be torqued at 110 to 120 lbs. and I torque mine at 120 lbs. Note: my steel spare wheel is only supposed to be torqued at 90 lbs. I'm sure mine and Scott J-24's specs are the same, but many Airstreams are different, year to year, and wheel to wheel.

[urnmor]

I do not have a torque wrench however I always check the lug nuts just as I do tire pressure before and doing a trip

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

For everyone. In a discussion with Kip, our resident Airplane/Airstream metal magician, at the Resto Rally in Albuquerque, overtightened tight lug nuts came up in discussion.
We were amazed at the way our favorite tire shops....and some of us doing our own maintenance....install tires.
Watch 'em. Tire off. Tire installed and placed on Airstream. Air wrench used to tighten all lug nuts. Then (if your lucky) a quick run around with the torque wrench.
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
How are they going to check the torque reliably AFTER putting the nuts on with a powerful air wrench...? If they over tightened the nut you will never know with that torquing....and you may be so overtightened that you will not be able to take the tire off without a breaker bar. The torquing has to begin below the lbs set on the wrench. Make 'em do it right.

Most forward-thinking tire shops perform initial tightening with a "torque stick" to around 75% of final torque. The "torque stick" is a specialized socket with a torsion element that limits the effective torque that can be developed when the stick is used with an impact wrench. This method allows tires to be installed quickly while still allowing more accurate final hand torquing.