Stuck nuts
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 23:22
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Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW)
Had noticed over the last few weeks that one of the rear tyres was gradually losing pressure so I thought I'd take it off to have a closer look for damage and guess what, no way I could shift the nuts with the Suzuki-supplied tool. Just glad I didn't have a flat in the middle of nowhere recently! I'll take it in tomorrow to have the overtightened nuts adjusted to the correct torque, but will also look for a better tool for emergency use. What's the recommendation? A larger wheelbrace, a cross brace? A torque wrench? A power tool? A pipe to slip over the tool that came with the car? Obviously, the main point is to be able to undo any nuts that will be overtight while out somewhere. And should I grease the threads before tightening them? We're talking alloys btw.
Reply By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 23:40
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 23:40
Mungo,
I believe it is wise to have a good quality brace.
Mine is a single lever, 1/2 inch drive style with a telescopic extention to double its length. This allows sufficient tension to move any wheelnuts correctly tensioned and also any stubborn ones you may encounter from time to time.
You shouldn't apply grease to the studs at all. Maybe spray some RP7 or similar on to assist removal and/or clean the threads.
Some forumites have invested in a 12 volt impact wrench. These are available from as little as $49.99 (current special at Repco)
AnswerID:
85312
Follow Up By: Utemad - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 10:58
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 10:58
I have one of these too. I thought it was the best thing ever until my neighbour came over asking if I could help him undo some wheel buts that were overtight. I bent the lever where the socket attaches without even cracking
the nut. Previous to this I found that if nuts were tight the socket would sort if kick sideways. It always got
the nut off previous to this though. I carry it still but am a bit wary of it.
Now if nuts are really tight I use a 1/2in drive bar and 19mm socket and extension. Much better grip on
the nut and believe it or not it was cheaper and this stuff is Sidchrome not REPCO. Only problem is it's a fixed length.
Although I got the original wheel brace your talking about on special for $20-25 from memory from Autobarn. Although I have seen them since and it's identical to the current REPCO and Autobarn etc ones
FollowupID:
343902
Reply By: motherhen - Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 23:41
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004 at 23:41
my super strength guys always do them up too tight - i travel with a short length of pipe 40 - 50 cms is adequate - then i can jump on it.
AnswerID:
85313
Reply By: cokeaddict - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 00:07
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 00:07
Hi,
Definately no grease. WD40 or as previously stated RP7 just to keep things free from rust.
Personally i use a breaker bar 1/2 drive witha 4 inch extension and an impact socket. Always a good idea to check them before a trip starts. Safer knowing before you leave home that they are undoable.
Really depends on what you can afford though, I used to sell
tools for a living so the breaker bar cost me nothing really. 20 years later its still working
well.
Alloys can be a problem, my suggestion is to check them on a regular basis.
Cheers Angelo
AnswerID:
85316
Follow Up By: V8troopie - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 01:41
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 01:41
I would advise against using WD40 as
well. This is a spray and it has the ability to creep into the conical friction area. Some time ago 2 boat trailers at my club lost a wheel while towing. Both owners said they'd used WD40 just before they hit the road.
What I use is that anti seize paste that comes in a little tube. I put a small amount onto the stud thread, making sure none of it gets onto the cone surface. It does the trick for me and the wheel brace always gets the nuts undone.
I think the tool the original poster complained about was perhaps meant to be stepped on. I know the funny wrench that comes in the troopy toolkit is only useful to loosen the wheelnuts when one steps on it. Or uses the non suplied extension tube :-)
Klaus
FollowupID:
343881
Reply By: Rosco - Bris. - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 07:53
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 07:53
A decent bar and socket to match, as the other blokes advised. However I grease
mine with no problems. The cape and back and checked nuts every day. Couldn't budge those on the alloys but regularly tweeked the steel ones on the CT.
Seems there's a few schools of thought in this regard. I have noticed the army grease the nuts on all of their vehicles.
Cheers
AnswerID:
85325
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 08:39
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 08:39
Wheel nut tension is one of the first things I check after acquiring another vehicle and they're usually far too tight. A bit of antiseize and tension to the recommended torque which is surprisingly little.....never had a problem
AnswerID:
85329
Follow Up By: Member - Bruce (San Diego) - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 12:23
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 12:23
Ray,
I totally agree with you about the recommended torgue especially on alloy wheels, read the owners manual and see how little the torque is.
The best antisieze I have found used to be available from CAT, it was the coppery coloured stuff.
Bruce
FollowupID:
343916
Reply By: Banjo (SA) - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 08:49
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 08:49
I carry a pipe, but would say that a criss-cross 4 socket brace gives the best stability when you are trying to stay "square-on" to
the nut - I have both now.
AnswerID:
85330
Reply By: MrBitchi - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 09:32
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 09:32
Get yourself a "Torque Amplifier".
(40cm length of gal pipe)
John
AnswerID:
85338
Reply By: jackablue - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 09:44
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 09:44
Always greased
mine every tyre rotation, never had a problem getting them off & never had a problem with them coming lose. Rotate
mine every 10,000km. I also carry a cross wheel brace.
Cheers
Jackablue
AnswerID:
85340
Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 18:55
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 18:55
Im with you,always used a bit of grease rubbed on the thread when they are dry and never had a problem!!
FollowupID:
343981
Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 10:08
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 10:08
Have a go at one of these 12v torgue wrenches. I bought one recently for $65- and I've now left my Nissan wheel brace at home. I do, however, always carry a socket set with a breaker bar and extension pipe, for other uses but it can double as a wheel brace if need be.
The 12v jobbie is really good. I was a bit sceptical until I read an article in one of the mags a few months ago. It was a tyre comparison that meant they had to do and undo something 500 wheel nuts. They used this "Shen Tie" (spelling???) 12v tool and it performed flawlessly.
AnswerID:
85345
Reply By: beenabout - Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 19:45
Monday, Nov 22, 2004 at 19:45
hI all
if any of you guys have noticed that their is one vehicle manufacture thinking, or was about tight nuts.
it was mitsubishi, in the pajero the "Hollow" jack handle actuly fits over the wheel brace to give you a 1 mtr long lever,
pitty toyota cant adopt the same idea, to make life a little easier after a service.
cheers
AnswerID:
85441
Reply By: Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 02:05
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 02:05
Thanks everyone for your replies. Went and bought one of these extendable wrenches for about 25 bucks today, at least it looks a bit more sturdy than the Suzuki-supplied toy, and has a rubber handle. Plus the extension should give me some more torque (I'm a fairly hefty bloke at six foot four). Will try it out tomorrow to see if it can do that stuck nut...
I might still buy a torque wrench, to make sure I don't overtighten the nuts myself. Thought about the 12v impact wrenches and might have bought one if I could have found one today, but good as they sound they're probably overkill - don't expect to change tyres more than three or four times a year, in normal circumstances.
AnswerID:
85494
Follow Up By: Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 17:52
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 at 17:52
Postscript: the new implement shifted the nuts no worries, and I found the tyre had a nail embedded in it hence the slow drop in pressure. Gave me a chance to try out the tubeless repair kit, seemed to work a treat. Have put the repaired tyre on the back as spare - was planning to get another spare anyway, so if the plug holds I can use it as a second spare on the roof for more remote trips.
Thanks again everyone, still thinking of getting torque wrench to make sure I don't overtighten things myself...
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