Flat tire blues

babell2 · 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

Busted Knuckle · 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.

BK

(SO glad to be back in the USA after a week in DC!)

TomsToy · 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

Busted Knuckle · 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!

BK

Highway Yacht · 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!
BK

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

Tom Y · 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

babell2 · 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

Lin · March 20, 2011, 09:58:44 AM

If you have the manual, there definitely should be jacking information. Check the suspension section carefully.

Busted Knuckle · 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!)

BK

babell2 · 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

zubzub · 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

buswarrior · 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

robertglines1 · March 21, 2011, 07:18:12 PM

service call and repair prob $65

TedsBUSted · 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

Utahclaimjumper · March 21, 2011, 08:16:54 PM

A little starter fluid squirt in the tire will rebead it quickly.>>>Dan