This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road side. Ive looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the head.
None of them look that robust.
In article <t0iaur$p6q$1@dont-email.me>,
Brian <noinv@lid.org> wrote:
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. Ive looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the head.
None of them look that robust.
The type where the head swivels tend to be the weakest. Best are those
where the main bar is bent through 90 degrees or so. Not so flexible, but doubt you'd break that easily.
Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
In article <t0iaur$p6q$1@dont-email.me>,
Brian <noinv@lid.org> wrote:
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road >>> side. Ive looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm >>> long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the head. >>> None of them look that robust.
The type where the head swivels tend to be the weakest. Best are those
where the main bar is bent through 90 degrees or so. Not so flexible, but
doubt you'd break that easily.
That was my conclusion.
However, I can’t find any long ones ( longer that 10” / 250mm) which don’t
have swivel heads- at least that aren’t extendable. ( After my experience with the extendable one, I’m dubious re their quality.)
I have considered a battery impact driver - I have an air driven one I can use with my compressor at home- but ensuring it is always charged is a concern.
I must admit, if I get a puncture in the MH, I’d probably call out the RAC. Jacking up a vehicle weighing over 3.5 T with a scissor jack isn’t my idea of fun, especially on the hard shoulder.
However, at busy times, that could mean a long wait.
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm (correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an impact wrench. What am I missing?
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm
(correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an
impact wrench. What am I missing?
This sort of thing https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-extending-wheel-nut-wrench-635236.html
is usually ok.
The idea is that you tighten up the nuts without extending it, but extend
it to get extra leverage when undoing them.
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm
(correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an
impact wrench. What am I missing?
This sort of thing https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-extending-wheel-nut-wrench-635236.html
is usually ok.
The idea is that you tighten up the nuts without extending it, but
extend it to get extra leverage when undoing them.
Landrover went a step further and supplied a folding wheel wrench which
only worked unfolded in the undo direction but had to be used folded
when tightening the nuts, to prevent over-tightening.
I don't have a motorhome, but I do carry an 18v impact wrench and a
torque wrench in my car.
Roger Mills <mills37.fslife@gmail.com> wrote:
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >>> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm >>> (correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more >>> for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a >>> ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road >>> side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm >>> long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >>> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an >>> impact wrench. What am I missing?
This sort of thing
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-extending-wheel-nut-wrench-635236.html
is usually ok.
That is exactly like the one I broke ;-)
The idea is that you tighten up the nuts without extending it, but
extend it to get extra leverage when undoing them.
I normally do exactly that. This time, as I wanted ‘more welly’, I used it
extended to check they were still tight. That was probably the mistake.
On 12/03/2022 22:49, Roger Mills wrote:
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >>> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm >>> (correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more >>> for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a >>> ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road >>> side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm >>> long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >>> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an >>> impact wrench. What am I missing?
This sort of thing
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-extending-wheel-nut-wrench-635236.html
is usually ok.
The idea is that you tighten up the nuts without extending it, but extend
it to get extra leverage when undoing them.
I have one of those, possibly not Halfords, but cheaper than a proper breaker bar and fits by the spare wheel. The extender tube will not take a huge torque, but should help a small person. Athome, in collapsed mode with
a scaffold pole over it will take some torque.
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm (correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an impact wrench. What am I missing?
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm
(correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an
impact wrench. What am I missing?
This sort of thing >https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords- >extending-wheel-nut-wrench-635236.html
is usually ok.
The idea is that you tighten up the nuts without extending it, but
extend it to get extra leverage when undoing them.
Landrover went a step further and supplied a folding wheel wrench which
only worked unfolded in the undo direction but had to be used folded
when tightening the nuts, to prevent over-tightening.
I don't have a motorhome, but I do carry an 18v impact wrench and a
torque wrench in my car.
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who added >> the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm
(correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an
impact wrench. What am I missing?
I suggest you stop using 1/2" car stuff and upgrade to 3/4" truck kit.
I have considered a battery impact driver - I have an air driven one I can use with my compressor at home- but ensuring it is always charged is a concern.
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who
added
the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm
(correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were
new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more
for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a
ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road
side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm
long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an
impact wrench. What am I missing?
I suggest you stop using 1/2" car stuff and upgrade to 3/4" truck kit.
On 13/03/2022 12:26, Peter Hill wrote:
On 12/03/2022 14:32, Brian wrote:
First some background so you understand the overall problem.
I recently changed the wheels ( rims / tyres) on our Ducato based
motorhome, as part of an up plating process.
The person who fitted the wheels for me ( actually the technician who
added
the air suspension) used a torque wrench to get the right torque - 160 Nm >>> (correct for the stud size)
He advised checking the tightness after a ‘good run’ as the rims were >>> new.
Sensible advice.
I used an extending wheel brace I carry - I keep on in all our cars, more >>> for my wife as she is quite small. While there was no sign of the nuts
having come loose, the end of the brace broke, the part where there is a >>> ball bearing to hold the socket.
This makes me wonder just how practical it is to use a brace at the road >>> side. I’ve looked at various breaker bars on EBay / Amazon etc. - 600mm >>> long to give the leverage - but the weak point seems to be the ‘head’. >>> None of them look that robust.
I can’t believe Fiat expect people to carry a torque wrench and/ or an >>> impact wrench. What am I missing?
I suggest you stop using 1/2" car stuff and upgrade to 3/4" truck kit.
Just buy decent quality 1/2 inch stuff and he will be fine. What he
bought was cheap rubbish. Ex MOT tester neighbour has a bar nearly
3 foot long with a swivel end, and sometimes when removing a wheel
that a Kwikfit fitter belted on with a air-impact driver needs all
his strength on a bar that long.
| Sysop: | Keyop |
|---|---|
| Location: | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK |
| Users: | 296 |
| Nodes: | 16 (2 / 14) |
| Uptime: | 48:44:48 |
| Calls: | 6,648 |
| Files: | 12,200 |
| Messages: | 5,330,095 |