Viscount aerolite 83 removal of wheels
Submitted: Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:18
ThreadID:
89670
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Replies:
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STAN C1
Hi all, I have just had new wheel bearings greased and brake linnings checked etc
done by my very reliable mechanic, he advised me that removing / returning
wheels etc was extremely difficult to get onto the studs a lot of tough and hard work was involved.. It appears that the Caravan wheel profile on the side walls are too smalll for the wheel to come out or in but done with a lot of difficulty....he advised me that it would be too hard for me to do at present being 77yrs and not having a lot of strenghth, especially if a got a puncture etc..I was curious if anyone else had experienced this before and what can I do to overcome this problem.
(I know I could ring the auto clubs) The van is 15ft , tyre size 175R13C GT
radial (Max Millers) I will not be doing any off road travelling .
I don"t want to go to a caravan service centre for advice yet as we know for the unweary there are some unscrupulous ones out there... and myself being a novice I was hoping the
forum might have some advice for me on how to overcome this..
cheers
Stan
Reply By: WBS - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:29
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:29
Stan,
I had a similar problem with my old
Franklin Arrow and it was never resolved. At the time I contemplated cutting the wheel arches out a bit to make it easier. It was the top of the wheel arch that was too low if I recall correctly. So that would be my recommendation, go to a caravan repair
shop and see if they can cut out the wheel arches to make it easier. Obviously, some caravans have a wheel arch trim that may also be the cause so think about removing those first.
WBS
AnswerID:
468212
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:12
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:12
Hi WBS it appears wheel arches are to small and had thought of having them cut larger , there appears to be enough to be able to have this done..will survey all answers before I go to the caravan repair
shop... thanks for the info..
cheers
FollowupID:
742441
Reply By: Roughasguts - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:34
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:34
Do you have this problem with jacking the van up under the axle??
Because jacking there would keep the wheel up under the guard.
Maybe if you jack the van up under the chasis the wheel will drop down further from the guard.
Cheers
AnswerID:
468213
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:13
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:13
Hi Rag, it appears the jack was done under the chassis but I wasnt present at the time but will try myself by doing this and see what evenuates...thanks again..
stan
FollowupID:
742442
Reply By: member - mazcan - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:54
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 13:54
hi stan
yes i had this problem when i was doing a reno job on a friends van
the brand name escapes me but they are no longer made
it had a tandem axle and was mungrel of a job trying to get the flat tyres past the brake drum and wheel arch
the wheel arches come down to low and is a very bad manufacturing fault
i had to hitch the van onto my 4wd and use a high lift trolley jack under the chassis behind the wheel and jack the van up allowing the wheel and axles to hang down on the leaf springs
even then i only just managed to force the flat tyres past the brake drum and arch
my suggestion is for you to have a narower tyre fitted say 165xR13 but you still might need the wheel arches modified or buy and carry a trolley jack that raises the chassis high enough to get the flat tyre past the brake drum
i know its not going to be easy at your age
hope this advice helps
cheers
barry
AnswerID:
468216
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:23
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:23
Hi Barry, funny I thought that the tyres might be a wee bit large, but wasnt sure
and maybe the wheel arches enlarged might be the answer...at a guess I'd say the arches are approx 1 and half inches- 2" to small...thats looking at tyres whilst the van is standing...you mentioned leaf springs , what this van has is the ak-lo axle dont know if that is a problem...
cheers
Stan
FollowupID:
742443
Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:32
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:32
hi stan
just thought i would mention that my old 16 ft single axle full height viscount van only had
600x 13 rims and tyres and was quiet stable to tow
cheers
barry
FollowupID:
742445
Reply By: timothy - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:27
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 14:27
I have the same problem with my 1983 Viscount Grand Tourer, I find if I use a trolly jack I can lift it high enough so that the wheel will come out without too much difficulty. The tyre needs to be about an inch off the ground for it to fit out of the guard once the wheel nuts are undone.
AnswerID:
468218
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:40
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:40
Timothy , thanks for that will give that a try too as RAG says re chassis jacking
stan
FollowupID:
742492
Follow Up By: WBS - Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 09:47
Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 09:47
Stan,
Be careful jacking up on the body. I did that with the
Franklin and found the body distorted to the extend that the door wouldn't open so be aware and make sure you use a solid chassis rail not one of the outrigger bits of steel that hold the floor. By the way all was ok when I lowered it but I don't think the
Franklin was designed to be jacked up under the chassis.
WBS
FollowupID:
742539
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 16:44
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 16:44
We had an Aerolite van.
The tyre size was 600/13 and we replaced these with 165R13 and had no problems as above.
However you must jack the van up using the chassis rail as close to the axle as possible, this then allows more room to remove the
wheels.
My main bug bear was that the
wheels were attached by studs and not your normal wheel nuts etc.
Yes it was a fiddly job changing
wheels but was do-able as long as one took their time.
AnswerID:
468233
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:44
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:44
Hi Dodger, mention was made earlier of 165/13 tyres so if all else fails will go this way by the way, if I change 175 to 165 does it mean a new wheel will be needed,
I,m no genius as far as mechanics go...:-(
Stan
FollowupID:
742494
Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 00:06
Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 00:06
hi
no change of wheel size is needed
the 600/175/ and 165 figure is the widths of the tyres
and all fit the 13inch diameter rim
cheers barry
FollowupID:
742521
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 12:15
Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 12:15
Hi Barry, "Phew" thats a relief at least I wont have to purchase wheeels
cheers
Stan
FollowupID:
742558
Reply By: toohey - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 16:59
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 16:59
g'day stan
seems awfull close mate,with the pitch&roll of the van does it rub on the tyres?
cheers
toohey
AnswerID:
468234
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:38
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 20:38
Hi Toohey,
At present havent felt or heard of any rubbing...tyres appear pretty clean...
cheers
stan
FollowupID:
742491
Reply By: STAN C1 - Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 12:19
Saturday, Oct 22, 2011 at 12:19
Hi all, I'd like to thank all who gave me the advice on the wheel removal
etc... I'd have to say that this is the most rewarding
forum I've had the
experience of being part of. Thankyou all again... best to all and safe travelling.
Stan
AnswerID:
468330
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Oct 23, 2011 at 21:11
Sunday, Oct 23, 2011 at 21:11
Stan,
You're a legend. I think you are inspiration to everyone here, to be getting about the country at your age. Hope you have many more years of safe travels, and NO flat tyres!!!
From a
young fellar of 65.
Bob.
FollowupID:
742683
Follow Up By: STAN C1 - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011 at 14:20
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011 at 14:20
Hi Bob,
Im no legend, just looking forward to getting back to caravaning again...
my children think I'm going through my second child hood... they wont let me go surfing with the sharks lol
Oh gee wish I was younger..
cheers Stan
FollowupID:
742801