Community Forums

DADSDOGHOUSE · 03-23-2023, 09:48 PM

I noticed a 4 foot by 3/4 drive breaker bar at my local hardware store, Wondering if that would work on my 10 lug 22.5 Budd wheels on my Monaco coach. I know it takes 450 ft lbs of torque to secure the wheels. Also anybody know the size of the lug nuts on these units? Cannot see it in my manual. Thanx for any input guys.

jacwjames · 03-24-2023, 06:21 AM

When I had my tires changed they used a 4' torque bar to check the torque when they were done but it took two of them, one to hold the end on the lug nut and the other to apply pressure.

Not sure on the size of the lug nuts, I did a quick search and saw that 33mm was mentioned in several posts.

doublechevy · 03-24-2023, 07:54 AM

I have used with success a standard 3/4 breaker bar and a 3 ft length of pipe to break loose and tighten my lug nuts

I also have a torque multiplier wrench that I have used at times it has no problem breaking free the lug nuts, still use the breaker bar and pipe to reinstall

on the rear wheels it helps to have a jack stand to support the extension needed to access the rear lug nuts

andy29847 · 03-24-2023, 08:21 AM

I bought a 3/4" rachet. I use a breaker bar on the rachet to loosen the lug nuts on my camper. The rachet is easier to get into a good position which makes it less likely you will damage something when you are in a strain. I bought the Craftsman rachet on ebay cheap. 3/4" is the minimum size for rachet/sockets/breaker bars. I use a 33mm socket. I have a couple of 4' sections of pipe I use when I need the power. I have a torque multiplier too, but it is awkward to use. If there was a battery impact tool that would work these lug nuts when I started buying all this poop, I would have spent the money.

The list of tools to remove and replace a tire/wheel is just starting with the lug wrench. There jacks, jack stands, a tire bar, etc.

yeloduster · 03-24-2023, 08:37 AM

Why not bite the bullet and buy something like this Economy 3/4" Cordless Impact Wrench.

Read the review, professionals have these and they like 'em. Lots easier than breaker bars and cheater pipes, much safer than breaker bars and cheater pipes, much more versatile than breaker bars and cheater pipes!

I bought a cheap 1" air impact wrench for my 450 ft/lb lug nuts. I wish I had known about the cordless impact wrenches at the time. However now that I have the 1" air impact wrench I wouldn't leave home without it in the RV. It works well!

DADSDOGHOUSE · 03-24-2023, 12:10 PM

Thanx yeloduster on the impact wrench idea. I think now I can recall a Milwauki branded rechargeable unit, but higher cost. Harbor freight also has a SAE socket set with a 1 5/16 socket that is close to 33mm size, will check the set-up out. Want to be as self sufficient as possible on anticipated Alaska trip. Even if I cannot break down and mount a spare tire, it may be possible if a trucker stops to assist if there is no cell phone service, and I have the tools.Of course will need tire spoons and some ether to seat the tire.

ArtJoyce · 03-24-2023, 12:38 PM

At least for mine, at the end of the studs at the threaded end there is a number stamped. It is the nut size in mm.

Toribk · 03-24-2023, 12:47 PM

I use Coach-Net. Their service providers have all the tools necessary to remove and replace a tire/rim.

153stars · 03-24-2023, 03:39 PM

A big bar like that and digital torque extension is best bang for buck to torque to 450 lbs. Of course you didn't share the price of the bar. The 45-1 torque multiplier kit is popular to loosen lugs but it can't be converted to accurate torque for tightening. A 3-1 torque multiplier can but they are not cheap.
If you search this subject you can find where member made a support jig from wood to keep the extension/socket straight, a jack stand can also.

andy29847 · 03-25-2023, 06:45 AM

The problem with the battery impact tool is that they work great until they don't.

Here is the blue ribbon buy:

My experience has been that the lug nuts on my camper were put on (by the tire guys) with anti-seize and a 1" air impact tool. It took 7' of cheater bars on the end of my rachet to loosen the lug nuts. I torqued them to 450 pounds when I re-installed them, and it took a lot less effort.

I like to be able to remove my wheels for maintenance work. On the road I am depending on roadside service. Thankfully, big truck tires are very durable and nearly trouble free.

yeloduster · 03-25-2023, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DADSDOGHOUSE

Thanx yeloduster on the impact wrench idea. I think now I can recall a Milwauki branded rechargeable unit, but higher cost. Harbor freight also has a SAE socket set with a 1 5/16 socket that is close to 33mm size, will check the set-up out. Want to be as self sufficient as possible on anticipated Alaska trip. Even if I cannot break down and mount a spare tire, it may be possible if a trucker stops to assist if there is no cell phone service, and I have the tools.Of course will need tire spoons and some ether to seat the tire.

Milwaukee has a line of cordless impact wrench called One-Key. It uses blue tooth to connect to an app on your phone. It auto-shuts off at the torque you have determined. It is available in 3/4".

Harbor Freight also has a the Hercules model that has auto shut off. It seems to only be available in 1/2" but at 1400 ft/lbs the specs seem to suggest that it can do the job on motorhome lug nuts.

It is unclear to me how you set the auto shutoff mode to get the torque you want.

It would be nice to have the lug nut wrench and the torque wrench in one tool!

jacwjames · 03-25-2023, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DADSDOGHOUSE

Thanx yeloduster on the impact wrench idea. I think now I can recall a Milwauki branded rechargeable unit, but higher cost. Harbor freight also has a SAE socket set with a 1 5/16 socket that is close to 33mm size, will check the set-up out. Want to be as self sufficient as possible on anticipated Alaska trip. Even if I cannot break down and mount a spare tire, it may be possible if a trucker stops to assist if there is no cell phone service, and I have the tools.Of course will need tire spoons and some ether to seat the tire.

When we went to AK in 2009 I think I packed all the tools needed to change a tire, glad I didn't have to even try.
While we were driving north somewhere in the Yukon we came across a stranded older Class A, an older couple with the older gentleman under the rig trying to use a small auto jack to lift up the motorhome. I stopped to try and help. His RV did not have jacks and there was no way I could lift the RV with the small jack. He said he forgot to pack his bottle jack that he normally would have and would lift the RV. At some point the couple mentioned that one of their mothers was in the RV (god only knew how old she was). There was NO cell service where we were at. They did have a vehicle they were pulling on a dolly. At that point I told him his best option was to unload the toad and head south as we had come through a small town about ~60 miles earlier.

We saw several abandoned vehicles with flat tires along the way. And also some with other problems, one 5th wheel had a complete axle broke loose.

So my advice is if you go to AK pack the tools you think you need and a CC.

andy29847 · 03-25-2023, 08:16 AM

The ratings on impact tools seem not to mean much except for ranking them in power. I have a Kobalt 750 ft/pounds air impact and it won't remove some of the lug nuts off my normal size vehicles.

I'm a little jaded on battery operated tools. I had multiple drills and impact drills for years. They work great until I get to the last screw. Then they die.

Just moving big camper tires arounds is a chore. The tire professionals make it look easy, but I haven't reached that stage. I think a tool like this would make it easier.

I might pull the wheels off to service the brakes, change shocks, or polish the wheels. The tools list for these tasks is long. If you are starting form scratch, it is a significant investment. That is why I have tried to keep my stuff simple.

On the other hand, removing and replacing the wheels on your camper is good exercise. You will not need to go to the spa after a day of this kind of work.

153stars · 03-25-2023, 03:16 PM

The bigger the nut and socket the less shorter blows from 1/2" size impact works. If your spending the money for high powered impact cordless driver the torque limiting might be the way to go. Frankly I'm not solely trusting torque limiting rating from a battery tool at that high of level. The battery tools that can torque reasonably accurate at 450lbs start at about $6,000 now, down from about 20k not that long ago.
We had a budget for these kind of toys, one was on my radar. But my former boss wanted a $30k IR camera that was 3K ea for training one of two trainees had family crisis didn't make it. It has never been used for what it was as pitched for. Still taking readings with a $100 IR laser tool or using a $1000 IR fluke camera for electric panels. That purchase messed it up for later high value instruments.