13/16 lug nuts

[Zeppelinium]

I was dismayed to discover that a standard lug wrench can't remove the lug nuts on some of the newer wheels, particularly if they have NevRlube axles. You need a "thin wall" socket wrench, or your tool can't get into the lug nut well.

My advice is, take whatever tool you think you're going to use to change a tire and see if it fits. Do it before your next trip.

Let me just say that 20 miles east of Fernly Nevada, needing to change a tire, my thought was a rope, a tall tree, and the marketing dimbulb at Airstream was all I needed. Or a thin wall tall 1/2" socket set.

Zep

(and I don't care if this caution is already in the owner's manual. No one thinks that he can't change a tire with a common lug wrench.)

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, behind the back seat in my truck I keep my:

1/2" drive torque wrench,
1/2" drive breaker bar,
1/2" drive by 6" extension,
1/2" drive deep thin wall impact 19mm socket, and a
1/2" drive deep thin wall impact 21mm socket

19mm = 3/4" and 21mm = 13/16"

This takes care of my truck and trailer. [and both Lincolns]

[Mollysdad]

Yes. I bought one of those auto parts store 'cross' lug wrenches. I figured I was covered. Until I discovered, like you that the Sendel rims have a recess for the lug, and nothing fit.
Amazon, 13/16 deep thin wall 1/2" drive ✔️

[Aerowood]

Can't wait to here the rest of this adventure. I too have a 1/2" breaker bar, extension, sockets, and spare lug nuts behind my rear seat. I have a steel rim for my spare and the truck has aluminum. Different style lug nuts.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Aerowood

Can't wait to here the rest of this adventure.

I had a cheap air compressor, so I pumped the tire up to 65 psi, burned out the air compressor in the process, and headed to Fernley. Bought 4 new tires, they went to Reno to get them, put them on and headed to Sonoma.

Ha, I said to myself, I will get the proper tools when I get home. Got all the way back to Ft Collins, the brake lining on one shoe came loose, jammed the drum, totalled that tire. Holy cow, I still don't have the friggin' tools!

Called Luke, he was on his way to the Maintenance Rally, but he sent Donna with the tools. I took the wheel off and taxied slowly to his shop, removed the drum, discovered the loose lining jammed on top of the other shoe, but decided I had never done a NEVRLUBE axle brake plate before so it was best to leave the Airstream and go back to get it after Luke came home.

Piece of cake except for one thing. I didn't see the snap ring, so I mangled it when I used an impact wrench to remove the axle nut . I also didn't know that the NEVERLUBE requires a wheel with a larger center hole. So I drag out the Airstream spare I keep in the back of the truck and it won't go over the hub. So I drag out the spare from under the Airstream and it fits perfect.

Moral of the story, if you're hauling around a standard Airstream vintage wheel for 20 friggin' years, don't think that it will fit your new Airstream. Sheesh. WTF? Let's change everything and keep it a secret from the old guys.

[waninae39]

our auto shop recommend no compressor for tire lugs
just by hand and a torque wrench

best to carry two sockets metric or imperial

19mm = 3/4"
21mm = 13/16"

[pmclemore]

My suggestion for a 12v air compressor is the Viair unit. Well built, robust and fast for a 12v unit.

Used it several times when putting air back into the tires after off roading at Cape Hatteras. 25 lbs to 75 lbs x 4 in reasonable time.

Pat

[CharlesinGA]

I never leave things such as this to chance. If it's something than can leave me stranded I test and check everything to make sure I have the right tools, jack, etc. Harbor Freight has a nifty set with two reversible sockets 3/4_13/16 and 19 & 21 MM and a short extension. In addition, they have a telescoping 1/2 drive breaker bar. I also carry a deep 15/16 socket for my truck lugs.

I converted my non Airstream to 6 lug wheels. Pics show old and new lugs, old and new wheels. New are Sendel wheels and have larger recess for lugs plus I used taller lugs.

Charles

[CharlesinGA]

16 to 25 inch telescoping breaker bar



Flip socket set Yes, I tried them, they fit the trailer lugs nicely.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

16 to 25 inch telescoping breaker bar

I use the low tech version:
Slip over breaker bar. Also works as the poor man's torque wrench.

[FlyingCl0ud]

You can also replace the lug nuts with McGard 64010, which require a 3/4" socket, giving you a little more clearance. If you currently have the two-piece lug nuts, you should replace them as they are prone to "round off" after a few uses. You REALLY don't want to discover this on the side of the highway!

[WestieHouse]

I don’t see how the “tool” you pictured can serve in any way as a torque wrench (a wrench that measures and controls the amount of torque force applied) regardless of one’s wealth status. A poor man’s breaker var - yes.

Please help me see what I am missing here.

[hhendrix]

I'll never understand why AS used those lousy lug nuts. They have that thin metal covering that distorts and can become very difficult to remove. Out of 24, I had 7 failed.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by hhendrix

I'll never understand why AS used those lousy lug nuts. They have that thin metal covering that distorts and can become very difficult to remove. Out of 24, I had 7 failed.

Hi, well it seems to me that everyone uses these type lug nuts because they are stainless steel and won't rust. The problem isn't always the nut, but the socket that is used on them. I still have the originals on my 2014 F-150 and my 2005 Safari. Some of them are a bit tight on my sockets because someone used a worn out short socket on them causeing the covers to get distorted. That is why I only use Deep, Thin Wall, Impact sockets on mine. Mine were damaged in the shops. I keep saying that i'm going to change them for solid lug nuts, but never have.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, well it seems to me that everyone uses these type lug nuts because they are stainless steel and won't rust. The problem isn't always the nut, but the socket that is used on them. I still have the originals on my 2014 F-150 and my 2005 Safari. Some of them are a bit tight on my sockets because someone used a worn out short socket on them causeing the covers to get distorted. That is why I only use Deep, Thin Wall, Impact sockets on mine. Mine were damaged in the shops. I keep saying that i'm going to change them for solid lug nuts, but never have.

I tied to be careful with the ones on my truck, but tire shops and others deal with them too. They got to be pretty messed up. I replaced them with McGard solid ones which are much easier to use, but there is a problem in that they require a different size socket. Now your tire changing tool doesn't work. McGard could have at least included that it their materials, but they didn't.