I need to remove my front tires in order to do some work under the bus.... I have never ever changed a tire before! even on a regular car! I have road side assistance insurance for that! But I have now reached a point where I should man up (even though Im a girl lol) I need to know what to buy and how best to go about this.... Im about 110 lbs and do not have much upper body strength so I will probably need to use an equalizer Suggestions? I would like to do this by myself, or maybe put it off until my son is here to help...
I think the best way for you is to get somebody to help. I think the tire weighs more than you ;D I ask my daughter if she would like a steak dinner first. Then I go in for the kill that I need her and her boyfriend to get all the weeds out of the flower beds first. Then I pull him off that job once they get going and send him under the bus with a grease gun. He is getting better at it. He even knows to look for hoses rubbing now.
Wwll first off your going to need a jack. I saw a kid use one on my bus the other day that was the shizzle. It is a hydrolic bottle nose jack that can be pumped by hand or pumped with air from a compressor (bus compressor will do it). a good heavy board like a 4 x 4 about a foot long.
I don't know what your bus is nor where to put it to jack it up. I am sure Luvrbus will be along in a minute and he can direct you right to it. I would suggest investing the money on a 1 inch impact wrench to run off the compressor as well. It would be a snap for you with those two tools. Little pricy but worth it in my opinion.
I should have mentioned, I do have the bus blocked up now. I went a little over board and bought a 50,000 lb bottle neck jack when i first got the bus ::) ;D It was an all day job to get it up in the air and blocked, but it is now. It is blocked at multiple locations, front, under the engine cradle and various places under the bulk heads. It's on cut down rail road ties on top of hard compacted desert dirt.
Eddie, you are right! The tire does weigh more then me lol That was one reason I really never wanted to have to remove them by myself....... argh!
If you had smooth ground The best setup would be one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb-capacity-mechanical-wheel-dolly-67287.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb-capacity-mechanical-wheel-dolly-67287.html)
We used to use these at United for those 747 tire changes and brake changes.
Brice
IMHO at some point you will need a decent impact wrench. I have a 1" and a 3/4"...the 3/4 is pretty good for just about anything, but every so often I have to break out the 1". Others here use a torque multiplier, but you can get in tighter spots (usually) with the impact. For just wheels I would prefer a T Multi but I have too much gear so air it is.
As far as handling the wheels....maybe 2 or 3 people. I can wrestle one just fine on my own, but I'm 6'2". If I was smaller I would use 2 people and some planning. The most important thing is that it does not fall on you. Everyone should understand that if it starts to fall over get out of the way. Personally if I was concerned I would let if fall flat right away then see if you and your gang could get it up again....if you can.... you have what it takes. One side of my rear dually was locked together and I needed to get it to a tire shop, I removed the 2 tires as a unit, and rolled them up a ramp into my van. I think I used a ratchet strap to help me up the ramp. A locked dually is less tippy than a single but at 240 lb I managed it just fine .
Good luck, have fun.
dang Brice that would be nice, but I dont have enough concrete yet... one day though! Out here the rubber blow up tires are the best wheeled equipment. But too, I really dont want to buy something that would only be used once..... I could rent though! Ive never needed a compressor before, so I dont have one. I figure I would wait until one gave out on the bus and I wanted to travel a 1000 or so miles before buying one ;D
Zub, could I interest you in dinner and a little weeding in the garden?
happycamperbrat, you can't mention the weeds until you have sold them on the dinner lol ;)
;D ;D I always screw things up! ;D ;D
I just posted something about my dad and it reminded me of what we used to do with the duals on the back of the school buses.
Jack the bus up until a 2'x 4' 1/4" thick board just slides under the tire. Put some 80W90 rear end grease on it and slide the tire off the studs. A simple matter of rolling the tire away after that. Keep your balance at your size it could crush something.
Brice
P.S. I feel your pain. I can remember droping a split rim tire on the bus when I was so small I couldn't pick it back up.
Hey Brat, been reading the replys on how you the 110# person can take the tires off,but i would like to know why you need to take them off?
Good luck Matt
truck tire dolly and one of these TRUCK LUG WRENCH TORQUE MULTIPLIER NO IMPACT OR COMPRESSOR NEEDED (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Ctp89AH58#ws)
and someone else to move the tire around for you!
Brian
110 lbs call a tire shop
good luck
I'm with Loverbus...Get help. The first time is always better with two. You will learn how first hand with out getting hurt...Cable
Best to use those eyes and blink at a strong gent. Be safe it takes a long time to mend. otherwise use some kind of mechanical assist. Engine hoist-- forks on tractor--If it starts to fall let it go! tire shop will probably make service call for 50$ might be cheaper in long run. Bob
Really Theresa most tires co's that are out on call will stop and remove one for 20 bucks on the way back to the shop
good luck
You didn't say what you are doing under the bus. Are you sure you need to remove the wheels and tires?
A big impact is nice but if you are hooking it up to the bus you probably need a punk tank to get enough volume.
When removing heavy wheels/tires jack it only enough to get the weight off the studs. Don't lift the tire from the ground. Otherwise it is a killer to lift. Use a bar to maneuver the wheel.
Hire it done and pay attention to how they handle the job. Worth the price for the edjumacation.
Good luck
Don 4107
Yup, I am in with Clifford, again. I would call a shop. I am usually one of the first people to say to try it yourself. Not this time...pass.
FWIW
God bless,
John
I drove 18 wheeler truck for 21 years and also have my bus for 17 years. I also am 6'3" and a big boy at 315lbs. I have NEVER mounted or dismounted a tire on my truck or bus. Have the experts do it for you. The tire weighs more then you do! You could get hurt bad just from the tire falling on you. There are certain jobs on a big vehicle that is just wisely left to the professionals-and this is one of them. Good Luck, TomC
tire or wheel? Read the OP again and realized she said tire.
Tires I would get a tire jockey to do it unless I was really stuck....
Wheel (tire and rim together) I do myself and I'm a little confused about the responses...pretty sure a lot of guys here pull the wheels to check brakes etc..
Probably should let someone else do it. I have changed many car tires, but removing the bus tire was a different experience. I am only 5'6" and weigh about 140 and wrestling those tires was work. When you have someone do it, watch and learn. There are small leverage tricks using bars that make a lot of difference. Ultimately, one should choose their battles well. The risk to benefit ratio here might be to strongly against you.
Why am I wanting to remove the front wheels (yes, wheels with tires.... I should have clarified) boy are you going to be sorry you asked!
I had a garage check out my brakes and bearings and wheel stuff about 3000 miles ago, so I know they are in good condition. Good brakes, newly rebuilt by the city of Santa Cruz too!
But as I said earlier, I put the bus on blocks a couple days ago. I have a transit and have many, many jobs to do underneath in order to turn it into a motorhome. Most of you guys get to skip this part, but not those of us without bays who actually have to build them. Anyway, that was "initially" the reason for putting it on blocks. Plus I want to clean out the fuel tank, hook up my sending unit to my dash guage and a bunch of other stuff that can only be done under the bus. After getting it up though I found that dreaded 4 letter word behind the front tires and was able to poke holes in a couple places with a screwdriver! So now, I have rust repair to do but need the wheels off to get at it good............ argh!
Okay, I will call around and see what it will cost me to have a shop come out and remove the wheels. I really want to wait until my son is here to do it so he can learn too though! As always, thanks guys for all you do to help!
I started trying to explain it three times but changed my mind. Theresa, they are heavy, really heavy. The lug bolts (nuts) are really hard to turn, often a big impact cant do it and you need a pipe and a 1 inch breaker with an impact socket, and a big man on the end of the pipe to jump up and down on the pipe to crack them loose. The tools are heavy, the impact wrench is heavy, the tire/wheel can weigh 400 plus pounds. Down on its side, you may have to lift over 200 pounds to stand it up. Everyone ive ever known who did that kind of work has a bad back.
If your really interested in knowing, go to a place where they change a lot of tires and work on trucks, and watch. Ask questions. Have someone show you how heavy they are. See how filthy dirty they are. Then ask what they want to come play with yours. Then call around to see what others want to drive out. You may be surprised.
Well one thing is for sure, no one can say Im not ambitious! For me, just moving around that 50,000 lb bottle neck jack on dirt was quite a feat! My son says I wanted the bus to convert so I could show what a little girl can do lol HE was smaller then me when I first got the bus but he forgot and now those days are way over...... he is about 2x bigger then me now haha!!
Theresa,
I would never be one to presume that a 110# woman can't remove a bus wheel. You just need the right tools. It's all about leverage. Once you get past the lug nut removal (Brian's torque multiplier is good way, available here: http://tinyurl.com/torquemultiplier (http://tinyurl.com/torquemultiplier)), then you have the problem of manipulating and handling the wheel/tire assembly, which is very heavy.
I use a tire dolly like this: http://tinyurl.com/tiredolly. (http://tinyurl.com/tiredolly.) If you're not parked on a slab you can simply slide a piece of plywood under the tire and the dolly will work just fine. Once you slip the wheel off the bus, you can just roll it out of the way. Not that big of a deal.
This same tool will ease installation as you can lift the wheel up and turn it on the rollers to align it with the studs.
Bob
Thank you Bob. It is encouraging to think I really could do this by myself any time I wanted for a little over $200.00 and Im sure that torque multiplier could come in handy for other stuff as well. I already have a heavy duty appliance dolly, I bet I could get one of the tires on it..... maybe I will just wait to do this when my son is here and we talk about it!
I would suggest going to a place that does truck tires, and ask them if you can attempt lifting one that's lying on the ground. I bet they would be willing to let you try with a disclaimer if you get hurt it's on you. They could gain a tire customer in the process!
I don't think they weigh 400 lbs, but I could be wrong. I used to work at a place that did truck tires, and I vaguely remember the common 22.5's weighing something like 115lbs, plus the weight of the wheel. I'm guessing a steel wheel is in the neighborhood of another 100lbs? Someone help me out here!
My biggest fear in doing them myself is getting the bus in the air, and blocking it. You've already done that! If raising the 30000 bus and getting under it doesn't bother you, I don't think I would be afraid of the 200lb tire/wheel. Just my opinion!
Boyce
Quote from: Don4107 on March 11, 2011, 04:42:58 PM
When removing heavy wheels/tires jack it only enough to get the weight off the studs. Don't lift the tire from the ground. Otherwise it is a killer to lift. Use a bar to maneuver the wheel.
I will never under estimate a woman's capacity to get a job accomplished, but safety is first. I do concur with Don on only raising the tires just off the pavement/surface. This allows one to lift the tire, as stated with a crow bar, or other similiar implement. I am nearly TomC's dimensions and no longer can lift a mounted tire.
Good Luck, but be safe at all times.
Gary
A year or two ago i weighed a 22.5 tire just for the heck of it, and it was 110 lbs. this was on a cheap bathroom scale so it could be off by a few lbs. :) I think that a steel wheel is probably around 40 -50 lbs, but just guessing on that as i did not have one to weigh at the time.
Like most everyone here I too would just call a tire guy. They will come to you. Something else to think about, if you see one of them on a service call stop and talk to them. Let them know what you need done and see if he would be willing to come over "off the clock" and remove the wheel. Most of those guys carry cell phones so you could call and let him know directly that you are ready. You may get a bigger discount if you pay cash and don't want a receipt.
If you decide that you must do it, then an impact (3/4 or a 1 inch gun will work but they use a lot of air and you need the larger air hose for them to work best. Remember to face away from the vehicle when the tire is coming off. Pick up with your legs and use your hands like hooks. Don't raise it too high or it will be tough to get back on. If it doesn't want to slide off, grease a peice of sheet metal for it so slide on.
Just remembered that i have a little project coming up in the next day or two where i need to remove a tire and wheel. Will weigh them and post the results. ;D
Quote from: artvonne on March 11, 2011, 08:54:10 PM
I started trying to explain it three times but changed my mind. . . .
Same here, there's so much to be said.
Well, if there's a will there's a way, so here goes...
I can't help but think back of the tire man who looked to have missed his natural calling as a jockey. And... this was in the days of hammering apart tube-type multi-piece rims. Then there's the OTR tire manual that showed step-by-step, a man practically dressed in a business suit changing an earth mover tire. LOL And since I've removed off-road tire assemblies by myself, without power tools, assemblies which are too heavy for anyone to lift, I say yes, it can be done.
This description is not all inclusive or detailed by any means and carries some presumptions which may or may not not apply. As others chip in with their own ideas and details I think the whole picture can be covered.
A torque multiplier is nice but there are other options. For example, an inexpensive striker wrench, or slugger wrench, will loosen incredibly tight fasteners with ease. This method would easily loosen the tightest front wheel nuts. However, there is not enough room to use a simple slugger on the rear wheels. but there are some other leverage tricks for that.
The air suspension could be "fooled" to elevate the body so that it could be PROPERLY and SAFELY cribbed. This would leave only the weight of the axle to be raised by a hydraulic bottle jack which needs to be placed on a suitable SOLID STABLE base, usually a heavy steel plate, not dirt or soft wood.
Once unbolted, the wheel can be easily slid away from the hub by using two smooth steel slide-plates which are oiled (or on rollers) to reduce friction. If working on a poor surface, the lower plate will probably have to be at least ½" thick, or a "C" channel shape pushed into the ground, to support the wheel assembly without the plate sagging.
Next, using the bottle jack the axle is raised high enough to put the slide-plates under the tire. The wheel is positioned so that a hand-hole (without an easily damaged valve stem) is at 12 o'clock. The jack is carefully lowered until it can be seen that the wheel assembly is supported by the plates yet the wheel is free of the hub's studs. The two remaining nuts can now be backed off almost completely. If the height adjustment is right, using a pinch bar through a hand-hole (never a hand) the hub can be "jiggled" within the wheel and the assembly "walked" away from the hub.
With the height adjusted correct for slide-off, while using one hand to hold the tire vertical from 12 o'clock, the assembly can be "clawed" away from the hub with a long pinch bar. At the last possible moment the two remaining nuts are removed. The key will be to keep the tire vertical so that there is no weight shift. However, if the assembly begins to fall, there's no choice but to stay clear and let it go. The pinch bar through a hand-hole can be used to stand it back up. Once separated from the hub, some "walking" of the tire may be necessary to clear the body. As Trucktramp mentioned some like to work with their back to the tire.
There is much more detail that could be covered but I think we have the key points. I'll mention that a "yellow strap" ratcheting tie strap can be very useful when working with too-heavy tires.
Again, it will be most important to safely support the coach, probably with large heavy wood blocks, don't even think about masonry blocks.
Ted
Teresa, many folks have suggested you have the job done, and this is good advice. That said, you seem to me to be that type of person who wants to fend for yourself.
I think you can do it, if you are really careful. Unless you really need one, an impact wrench and air supply might not be the way to go. They are handy, but you will need, at the least, a 3/4 inch QUALITY wrench. That might not even do the job if someone has laid on a 1 inch impact.
The torque multiplier is expensive, but it will do the job. My main reason for posting is to remind you that your driver side lug nuts are likely left hand threads. Secondly, the 12:1 multiplier can get you in a ton of trouble. Make sure you use a good torque wrench so that you do not over-tighten them. For 450 foot pounds, you only need 37.5 foot pounds of torque. It would be easy to apply 50 to 60 foot pounds by mistake and that would get you into a range that is really marginal for used studs and nuts.
Folks have given you good ideas on how to move the tire away from the hub. I prefer to use two large round rods to jockey the tire and to align it with the studs. Once you get the tire off the hub and have it vertical, it is easy to twist it a back and forth to get it away from the hub/studs and then roll it over to where you want to park it. Make sure that it is tilted in at the top by several inches when you park it, and block it. You don't want a kid to come by it and tip it over.
Jim
Ed, it will be real interesting to find out how much one of these actually weighs! Even if it weighs 115 that is still more then me.... The number one rule my son and I have is safety first! We both want to live long enough to see this bus done and enjoy it! I am wondering if the torque multiplier with a good tire dolly would be available for rent instead of buying as I dont see using it for anything else. How often do you guys that do your own pm take your wheels off? Yes, it is true I would rather do it myself then have to rely on someone else....... that is always my first choice all things considered.
I'm weighing in again because, despite advice to the contrary, it is obvious you really want to do this yourself. Which is what I would do.There are lots of reasons including convience, cost, doing it yourself, etc.
The assumption is that you will have to pick this tire up when it weighs more than you. Whenever I take a tire off my bus, truck or car I NEVER lay it down flat. It usually leans against the vehicle. With the bus wheel it is too heavy to lift, with the truck tire it is a pain to lift and with the car tire its just easier. Women ride motorcycles and they make out quite well. A bus tires is similar. Don't let either fall over. And if it does get out of the way.
Go to a tire shop and watch how they do it. Yep, they are big guys but they don't expend any more energy than is necessary. They use a tire iron to manipulate the wheel when it gets close to the nuts. You will learn a lot in just a few minutes.
Having the right equipment is key, in my mind.
I would suggest getting the wheel dolly from Harbor Freight. it is only $90. And the 60:1 torque multiplier will allow you to take the nuts off with minimal effort. And you will have both tools forever to use over and over again.
The advice about right and left hand threads is VERY IMPORTANT.
My 1" air gun and compressor are right at the limit to get the nuts off. And while trying to get the nuts off my 2 ton NPR truck I couldn't seem to break them loose. So off I went to the tires shop and asked them to break the nuts loose and retorque them so I could take them off. When I got home I still couldn't break them loose. So off to the tire store again. Turns out it was the left hand nuts I was turning the wrong way. LOL. I now have the rotation direction written on the wall of the cab.
Regards
Fred
A bus tire like a 12R22.5 weighs right around 220 lbs, on a steel wheel
Brian
This is nice to watch, posted by Paul on Scenicruiserdepot:
Scenic Cruise 2010 Thursday - Fixing a Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLRudERy1xI#)
That was a 11R22.5 tire that i weighed. :)
Mine are 11r22.5 Jeesh rampeyboy, that guy sure makes it look easy ;D
Brat,
I have concern for your safety and your success. I will urge you to have this done or have an experienced hand stand behind you and coach you in every step. I think you should only try this alone if you are in one of those "127 hour" situations. Honestly. Understand, I have admiration for you having even thought of it. Best wishes for a good outcome whichever.
John
Thanks John and (((hugs))) to you! I really dont want to be the next bus nut in the final arrival posts...... and I especially dont want my son to be either! Someone will be there if I do attempt this by myself, which with the right tools I probably would. The biggest conflict in me right now is going with the wrench and air compressor (because especially when it comes time to paint, I think I could use this again) or going with the torque multiplier (because Im just not sure I would use this again as much, I do like the road side assitance).
Sometimes it is more about technique than it is pure muscle....although muscle helps!
Boyce
Your bus has a very good air compressor attached to the engine, this and a punk tank will drive a 3/4" (or 1") impact nicely....of course if you are going to work on the engine you will need a seperate compressor....BTW an air impact will save time and money day after day....primarily in less broken nuts/bolts/shafts and sockets....years ago when I started out I used hand tools only, my 1/2 impact made all repairs so much pleasanter, when I got the bus I tooled up to a 1" and later got a deal on a 3/4" which is easier to handle. If you keep an eye out on craigs a decent brand 3/4" should come up, don't buy a cheap one from HF unless it has a nice high torque rating (1000ft/lbs +). FWIW I always buy small compressors brand new as they all wear out anyhow (oil type last longer and are quieter...just keep it upright or the oil spills out). I have had good luck with a small one I picked up on sale from Sears a few years back...still running strong http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsman-md-3-gallon-air-compressor-17-pc-accessory-kit/609-000489187-72211 (http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsman-md-3-gallon-air-compressor-17-pc-accessory-kit/609-000489187-72211)
bought mine on sale for $90 3 years ago this one the same I think, on sale for 107 inflation I guess. is
Anyhow if you and your son are going to wrench on your bus you will need an impact driver and impact sockets....the big 1" sockets I bought at HF have lasted well and seem tough enough, (when I can get a deal on them I buy used Snap On/Gray/Mac etc...) when I can't I buy HF style imports. Remember the right the tool for the job will get it done safely.
Watch for a sale on the "Earthquake" brand of impact driver at HF. Mine has lasted years but my Buddy has used one in a metal fab shop every day for three years. You can always buy more stout but these are good enuf. If you use a torque multiplier you can use the 1/2 inch impact to spin off the nuts. Handy tool. HF for Impact sockets as Zub said.
John
The subject about using the air compressor on the bus for airing up tires and other things is a subject I have never been able to completely wrap my head around..... With my bus, the engine has to be turned on for the air compressor to run. I understand that I can tap into the air lines and use some sort of adapter to power tools (I guess) but is that what you guys do.. ie. run the bus to use the air compressor?
at one point i had 4 of those dollys called go jacks. they got stolen by my carpenter along with 2 cars a trailer a sea doo all my tools and all my antiques, about $50,000 worth.
another brains over brawn story.
With a few select tools and techniques suitable for a smaller person, you'll be fine.
My kids all did the bus wheel fasteners with a fence post as a cheater bar.
My current pipe is a 1 inch threaded pipe, thread a coupling fitting on the end to keep the pipe from deforming against your socket bar.
One of those wheel dollies is standard fare at Big Transit here. Conserving energy and backs is paramount in a worker friendly jurisdiction!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I just weighed my 11 R 22.5 tire and wheel. It weighed 200 pounds. Steel wheel weighed more than i thought it did. ;D
Brat
Another trick I use to use in my School Bus days for lug nuts was. We had a socket, an extention, a 1/2" T bar, and an old ~6' long drive shaft from an old car. (6' pipe) I would assemble the tools and walk up the pipe with my hands on the side of the bus for balance and bounce to break the lugs loose. I think I weighed just as much as you do when I was doing this. Give me a fulcrum and a long enough lever and I can move the world.
Brice
While 200 pounds isnt "real heavy", if its laying flat on the ground, youll initially be lifting a good portion of that weight. As it comes up, the weight will fall off rapidly, but its that initial movement that requires the most effort.
While big pneumatic impact wrenches are wonderful tools, they are still limited at breaking loose wheel lugs if they have been on awhile. When we were wrecking buses, we had a 1 inch Ingersol with big air line, and while it would blast off most, many needed much more persuasion. Ask me how I know.
You really need 1 inch socket tools, and not the China junk. Snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc., with Craftsman at the bottom of the list. Use "impact" sockets and extensions. Youll be putting much more torque on them than standard sockets are made to withstand. There just is never a good excuse not to have good tools, and this is a place where they are virtually a requirment. When a Chinese socket explodes while your standing on the end of a pipe 2 feet in the air, it will at the very least make you very angry. BTDT
A jack stand comes in handy for resting the extension on out by the "arm" so your effort doesnt work to twist the socket off the nut.
While the guy in a suit working with a large tire/wheel is interesting, in those cases its a new painted wheel and a new tire and maybe some soap smeared around in advance to makeit look doable. We worked the better part of a day, 4 of us in a tire shop, trying to get an earthmover tire off a rim. When they been on a while, they wanna stay that way.
You dont need muscle until things go wrong. When your rolling that big tire/wheel and it runs into a rock, or wants to run away down an imperceptible grade, can you handle it? And that usually happens after your already exhausted. After you carried the jackstand and tire tools for the nuts. After you struggled with those nuts, up and down on the pipe, picking up the pipe and setting it down. Back and forth working those nuts, moving the jackstand, carrying the hydraulic jack, cribbing, placement of same. Take the physical effort of changing a wheel on a 3/4 ton truck, and muliply it exponentially. It will absolutely wear you out if your not up to the task. I dont believe YOUR physical weight, even if your only 110 pounds, matters as much as how physically in shape you are in generally. 110 pounds of flabby cheeks isnt the same as 110 pounds of muscular build.
One thing is sure, if you start knocking Bus wheels off and moving them around, youll BE in good physical shape. Or lying on your back in bed with a screaming back. Ive experiencedboth, lol.
Quick and dirty, you can use a spade shovel as a lever to get the edge of the tire/wheel off the ground, and you can slip a chunk of wood under. Do that a few times, building up height until you can stand it up on your own. IOW, CHEAT! At the end of a hard day wrecking Buses, having to load 10 Bus tires on the trailer to haul them to a guy, I found ways to cheat and save my back. Just use your brain. If it starts to fall, let it. If it starts to roll, knock it over before it smashes into something, or caves in a car door....
Once the nuts are loose, the Bus is cribbed, and your going to jack under the axle, take up just enough load to take the weight off the wheel. Just enough so you can wiggle the wheel on the studs with the tire on the ground. Remove the last nuts, and you can wiggle it out away from the hub. Just dont ever let it lean so far it wants to fall. If your tired, rest. Once its out far enough, roll it aside and lean it against the Bus, and chock it so it wont roll.
If your going to do this, for Gods sake dont be alone. Have someone who can at least spot you and call 911. There are probably other thoughts andother experiences, but good common sense is probably the best tool to have, and it cant really be taught. Experience is the second best tool. But be careful with experience. Some people have done the same stupid thing 30 years before it kiled them. Just because it hasnt killed you, yet, doesnt mean its the RIGHT way. Always refer to manuals and written material, first.
Funny, I have NEVER had luck breaking nuts loose using a breaker bar. I've always had the bar or pipe bend first. Guess they must have really been on tight.
I heard she had a volunteer lol
This morning i used a steel plate for under my 20 ton air over hydraulic jack, some 4x6 chunks for cribbing, my 12x torque multiplier, which uses a ratchet that is either 14 inches long overall or 22 inches long if the handle is extended. I used that to bust the nuts loose about 1/4 of a turn or less, and then i used my 1/2 inch IR impact wrench to spin off 5 of them before my portable compressor kicked in. I let it run for about 10 seconds and then spun off the other 5 nuts while it was still refilling the tank. I also use a few scrap pieces of 2x4 as fulcrums, since i am on gravel, for my 2ft. crowbar that i use to shift the tire around as i take it off or put it back on. Works just fine for me, we fulltime so do not have a shop or any property for that matter. I am no longer a young buck and i have a back that i need to be careful of. ;D
Quote110 pounds of flabby cheeks isnt the same as 110 pounds of muscular build.
haha!!! ::)
Cliff is right! I do have a volunteer to come out here and teach my son and I the right way to do this! He says he wants to stay anonymous, but he is a real Christian and military man and I greatly appreciate him..... even before he volunteered for this. He is a fine bus nut friend!
Quote from: rampeyboy on March 12, 2011, 10:31:48 AM
This is nice to watch, posted by Paul on Scenicruiserdepot:
Scenic Cruise 2010 Thursday - Fixing a Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLRudERy1xI#)
That old coot looks like me, only one heck of alot faster.... Notice the rubber ribbing is missing around the bus body. Mind is kinda of a pain, with the rubber ribbing & me having 11R X 24.5 it gets a little tight. All the more reason to only having to lift less than 1".
When was this video shot ?? Could that bus still have been in service?? Or someone is driving with Greyhound's paint job?? I am pretty niave...
He does have a big heart to go with it Theresa and a very good friend of mine someone I could call on anytime for anything
good luck
Cliff, maybe we should make another thread just to sing praises about this guy and not let anyone else know who he is cuz he wants to stay anonymous LOL
The video was shot last year during Scenic Cruise 2010. Lots of other videos on Youtube of this scenicruiser reunion.
The drivers were wearing period appropriate uniforms as part of the event.
Got a problem though... the wheel was re-installed with the big air gun....
What torque setting was that?
Air guns are for taking things apart.
110 lbs hanging on a cheater pipe out at 5 feet from the socket gives you 550 ft/lbs...
Close enough for busnut math?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Quote from: happycamperbrat on March 12, 2011, 01:47:35 PM
The subject about using the air compressor on the bus for airing up tires and other things is a subject I have never been able to completely wrap my head around..... With my bus, the engine has to be turned on for the air compressor to run. I understand that I can tap into the air lines and use some sort of adapter to power tools (I guess) but is that what you guys do.. ie. run the bus to use the air compressor?
Teresa, the subject of using small 120V AC air compressors has been discussed here on several previous occasions - there's lots of good info posted. FYI, I bought a twin-tank 2HP compressor and plumbed it to the bus's accessories air tank and put three air outlets around the bus. This compressor won't run a big impact wrench continuously, but it should run a 3/4" intermittently. It's nice to have air to inflate tires and run air tools without starting the engine, and in an emergency you have air to release brakes if your engine won't start. (However, an electric compressor should never be a substitute for the engine's compressor.)
I'm thinking of buying one of those 48" handles for 1" sockets. With that and some 12" extensions for the rear wheels, no wheel nut should be impossible to remove. Not cheap, but muscle power always works!
I get my 20-ton jacks from Harbor Freight on sale for $24, and have two 12" squares of 1/4" steel plate to put under them. I also bought a 10' length of 6 x 8" fir and had it cut down to four 2' lengths and two 1' lengths, and this is how I blocked up my bus when I installed my water tanks.
John
Thanks for the info! The anonymous bus nut said he is going to show me how to get my compressors on the bus to work with tools too ;D I am pleased as punch! And he is going to do all this when my son is here Easter Vacation so my son can learn too!! Just absolutely awesome to him and his wife!!!