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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: babell2 on March 19, 2011, 06:43:53 PM

Title: Flat tire blues
Post by: babell2 on March 19, 2011, 06:43:53 PM
Went over to the bus to show my brother "The last Resort" and on our walk around the left front tire is flat and popped off the bead.  My question is how do I get something under the beast to lift it and service the tire?

MCI-9
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Busted Knuckle on March 19, 2011, 07:12:13 PM
Since the bead is already popped. I'd get a stack 2X6 er 8 er 10's and drive it up on them in steps to make a ramp to get the wheel up to around the normal height with a tire on it!
Then carefully get your jack under it as if it were just sitting there with the tire aired up.
;D  BK  ;D

(SO glad to be back in the USA after a week in DC!)
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: TomsToy on March 19, 2011, 07:30:49 PM
Check in your battery compartment, there is a place for a run up block in the top of the compartment.  Mine still had one maybe you will luck out too.  Good luck.

Tom
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Busted Knuckle on March 19, 2011, 07:34:31 PM
Well yeah that too, but I thought all those were tossed by one of the first 4-5 owners! ;)
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Highway Yacht on March 19, 2011, 08:08:42 PM
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on March 19, 2011, 07:34:31 PM
Well yeah that too, but I thought all those were tossed by one of the first 4-5 owners! ;)
;D  BK  ;D

Nope...Mine still had the ramp block located in there too.. along with some spare belts.. ohhh and a handy dandy roadside reflector kit..

Jimmy
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Tom Y on March 20, 2011, 05:54:17 AM
Do you know where to jack? There is a 2x2 place that is meant for this. Tom Y
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: babell2 on March 20, 2011, 09:08:31 AM
Just over there looking at the flat tire again this morning.  Nope no such luck on the ramp in the battery compartment.  I will have to build something to get the wheel up.   I have been looking in service manuals but have not found anything on jacking locations.  Sticking my head under there is a little iffy at the moment.

Brice
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Lin on March 20, 2011, 09:58:44 AM
If you have the manual, there definitely should be jacking information.  Check the suspension section carefully.
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Busted Knuckle on March 21, 2011, 02:03:58 PM
Brice,
Just get you a 24" long 6"X6" and cut it at an angle for a run up ramp. Place it in front of (or behind if it's easier to back up) the wheel itself not the tire or it will cut your sidewall! It will get the rim up high enough off the ground that you'll be able to see the 2"X2" square jack pad either in front or back of the steer axle near the air bag. Place the jack under the pad, screw the top of the jack up until it touches the pad and jack up. You may have to put some 2X6 (s) under the ramp and re-jack it to get it high enough to put the aired up tire back on! (be sure to get the bus up high enough the first time before taking the wheel off, or it's a REAL PIA and don't ask how I know this!)
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: babell2 on March 21, 2011, 06:54:38 PM
Today I RTFM and built the 24"x12" ramp with the 10" platform on top for the tire to run up on and anticipate buying a 20 ton jack at work tomarrow.  I also built a 12" X 14" double 2x12 to spread the load over the gravel the bus is parked on to jack it up.  I ordered one of the Torque multiplier units referenced in Brat's how do I remove the front tire thread. It should be arriving in the next two to three days so I can Remount this tire and get everything back on it's feet.
  BK  Do you think that I will destroy the tire if I run it up as per the manual? Or do I need to make a separate ramp for rim only run up?

Brice
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: zubzub on March 21, 2011, 07:04:51 PM
get an air over jack....you will be so glad you did!  Sooooooo Glad.  BTW 12  tons will do but most of the folks here like 20.
Never get under a bus that is being supported by only bottle jack
Never
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: buswarrior on March 21, 2011, 07:09:29 PM
You also want a LOW PROFILE jack.

The shorter the jack, less run up height needed to get it under the jacking point.

There are jacks out there that a busnut will have to return... won't fit under.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: robertglines1 on March 21, 2011, 07:18:12 PM
service call and repair  prob $65
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: TedsBUSted on March 21, 2011, 08:03:24 PM
babell2 - I don't believe I'd punish the tire with a drive up a ramp, especially if it's a real nice tire.
I think I'd jack and crib, even though it'll be a pain.

The tire can probably be reseated without taking the assembly off  the bus; some methods are more controversial than others.

The torque multiplier - By looking at its design, personally, I don't think it can very well handle the high reaction forces of the torques being mentioned. That is, stay square with the nut without additional support and not bend the reaction bar. I sort of thought that was all being downplayed in the video. That's just my keyboard opinion, I could be wrong. We're anxious for your report.

Best luck

Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on March 21, 2011, 08:16:54 PM
A little starter fluid squirt in the tire will rebead it quickly.>>>Dan
Title: Re: Flat tire blues
Post by: babell2 on March 22, 2011, 04:40:06 AM
Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on March 21, 2011, 08:16:54 PM
A little starter fluid squirt in the tire will rebead it quickly.>>>Dan

Can you say Poof? Or is it Boom?