getting lug nuts off?

[Texasjack]

I live in a remote area, when I woke this morning I noticed my front tire was flat on my model 10. I guess the only way to seal the tire back on the rim is by taking it off and hauling it somewhere to be fixed? Is there a easier/ cheaper way to remove the tire than buying a giant air compressor and big air gun? I used a breaker bar last time, and that was no fun....

[luvrbus]

Jack, the only easier way is to have a good road service policy that's what I use

[junkman42]

I bought a torque multiplier from ebay.  Mine is a 10:1 so 10 ft lbs in equals 100 out.  The one i bid on is a old american made unit but there are many chinese copys available.  Makes life very easy and also works on My antique tractor collection.  John  PS the unit I have is a 2000 ft lb unit.

[sommersed]

I use a breaker bar myself all the time.  At fact I have the front of the bus up on run up ramps right now, and am going to pull the left front wheel for easy access to fix a nagging air leak.

If the wheels have been torqued down properly (not overdone), a breaker bar with a four foot extension makes removal of the wheel easy In my opinion.  Actually, what I do is break the nuts free with said breaker with extension, then remove the  nuts with an electric hammer drill.

I even use the reverse of that, along with bathroom scales to torque to 500 ftlbs when putting wheels back on!

I'm a pretty big boy, 250 lbs, so a four foot extension is perfect for me.  L lighter person may find that a five or six foot extension best for them.

Also, I'm doing this while parked on BLM land on a hillside overlooking Pahrump, Nevada.

Ed

[luvrbus]

Northern Tool has the 3 to 1 torque multiplier for $199.99 on sale now

[Don4107]

If you jack it up and hit it with a compressor you might get it to reseal.  If at first it does not, let it set for a while to let the flat spot relax and try again.  This might get you going long enough to get to a tire shop.  If you are really in a bind, there is always starting fluid and a match, but I would not recommend that.

Don 4107

[Runcutter]

Jack, you probably already know this, (and I'm not sure if it applies to Eagles), but some coaches have left-hand threads on the driver's side of the bus.  If the studs are not marked with an "L", you can use your fingernail to trace the thread, and see which way loosens the nut.  On such coaches, the passenger's side is righty-tighty, lefty-loosey, but the driver's side is righty-loosey, lefty-oh, darn.

Arthur

[chazwood]

Jack, you probably already know this, (and I'm not sure if it applies to Eagles), but some coaches have left-hand threads on the driver's side of the bus.  If the studs are not marked with an "L", you can use your fingernail to trace the thread, and see which way loosens the nut.  On such coaches, the passenger's side is righty-tighty, lefty-loosey, but the driver's side is righty-loosey, lefty-oh, darn.

Arthur

And the sad fact is.....he's not just trying to be funny.

[tekebird]

sometimes you can find bead setters on ebay, jack it up and give it a huge shot of air.

[Utahclaimjumper]

A shot of starting fluid and a match works every time.>>>Dan

[buswarrior]

Best not to be using an explosion to seat a tire until you've seen someone who has the experience do it.

Too much fuel and you'll wish you spent the effort on other options.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Busted Knuckle]

Best not to be using an explosion to seat a tire until you've seen someone who has the experience do it.

Too much fuel and you'll wish you spent the effort on other options.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

I know I wouldn't do it while still on the bus! Whew what a way to find out just how well the insurance policy is!
I'd try the jacking it up and letting it sit in the sun for a while, then take the core out of the valve stem and hit it with air and wiggle the tire (or better yet have someone help do this) while shooting air into to the valve stem. Also as Doug mentions the bead setters (blaster tanks) are quite a handy tool, but pretty pricey for a 1 time use item!   BK 

[HB of CJ]

Or....cheat like I did, since there was no other choice.  Jacked up the flat off the road, then compressed the broken bead back against the rim using a heavy truck tire ratchet type bead restorer, then aired the tire back up.  The ratchet type restorer looks like the mother of all oil filture wrenches, but uses a steel cable instead of a steel strap. Employees a ratchet wrench. Had a small nail in the middle of the tread which the truck tire shop patched on the inside.  Good luck. 

[PP]

In the middle of nowhere with a lot of desperation, we put a rope tourniquet around the center of the tire and by using a limb for leverage, literally squeezed the tire round enough to catch the bead. Several hours on a 12v compressor got it up enough to reach civilization and professional help.

[bobsw]

You might try using a large ratchet tie down strap. I have used them on standard tires but fortunately have not had to try on the bus