Make Your Own Tire Changing Tool

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I got old and I got weak. Bummer. But between my ears has not eroded. So I had to substitute brains for brawn...and on a strict budget...

Breaking lug nuts has become daunting. Especially those that Arnold Schwarzenegger wanna-be tire monkeys have tightened.

Breaking lug nuts lose while the tire is still on the ground is beyond my ability. The upper arc of lug nuts is too far off the ground. I want to jump up and down on the handle of a breaker bar to snap really tight lug nuts loose. Remember, I said I was weak. I'm not kidding...

So I jack the tire up off the ground. No need to worry about it spinning.

I made a post out of a length of 4x4 Doug Fir. Comfortable height. Reaches the height of the bottom lug nut. A 2x4 won't work. It will tip.

I cut a full-across V notch on one end, About an inch and a half deep.

I set the 4x4 against the wheel. Fasten the black impact wrench socket and extension across the notch, then carefully climb up onto the breaker (a long ratchet with cheater extension pipe is best as it won't swivel and cause a mishap).

Grab ahold of some place on the body. Nine times out of ten my body weight is enough to twist the tool. Being lowest to the ground, I can step off the ratchet, and revolve the tire to the next nut.

I can only wish I was forty years younger. Hope this helps. Ladies might appreciate the tip.

[theoldwizard1]

I we are talking a typical 3/4 or 1 ton truck and below or an typical TT, stop at a Harbor Freight and buy a 1/2" drive Pittsburgh Pro 25" long breaker bar. If that is not enough leverage get a piece of 1-1/2" galvanized pipe about 2' long as an add-on cheater.

[Harvey51]

That 2x6 with holes is an interesting idea!
Also Max's spoon pry bar for lifting wheels into place. I find a spade shovel quite helpful when changing to summer tires. One with a short handle is best.

[Naio]

Bobbo wrote:

Naio wrote:

Sorted by color because I am a girl.

DW LOVED this when I read it to her.

🙂 🙂 🙂

Naio wrote:
...

These both require you to have a large 1/2" ratchet as a separate tool.

Sure, but does anyone here not carry one?

These will not fit into the rim of a dually to reach the lug nuts.

Ah, good point! I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of duallies.

[Naio]

CharlesinGA, that looks great andv thanks for the pic!

[CharlesinGA]

Instead of a 4x4 with a notch, I used a 2x6 about 24 inches long and drilled two rows of holes the length of it, staggered, of a size the fat part of the extension would slip thru. Stand it upright and slip the extension thru, put on the socket and then the 24 inch Harbor Freight breaker bar. The multitude of holes, gives you good alignment with every lugnut.

Not my pic or tool, but the same idea. This pic on the View/Navion Yahoo forum is where I got the idea for mine. I have mine bolted behind one of the side doors under the slide, on a flat panel .



Charles

[Bobbo]

Naio wrote:
Notes on the Amazon ones, for myself and others who may be interested.

There are several that look like the one in the video, but they have surprisingly different specs. The first 3 have the same 1:58 (!!!) ratio, tho. All have pretty good reviews, including use on semis and DPs.

Sorted by color because I am a girl.

DW LOVED this when I read it to her.

Naio wrote:
Blue.
16lbs, 1" drive.
Comes with (3) 6-point sockets: 41 mm (1-5/8"), 38 mm (1-1/2"), 33 mm (1-5/16")
4-point/square (for square duel lug studs) socket: 21 mm (13/16")
$60

Black.
25lbs!!
Drive size not listed.
Includes 8 Sockets: 24mm(15/16"), 27mm,
30mm(1-3/16"), 32mm(1-1/4"), 33mm, 38mm(1-1/2")
1" Adapter & 1" to 3/4" Adapter/Reducter
$65

Grey.
16lbs
Drive size not listed. Maybe this is secretly the same as the blue 1" one, in a different color case.
6-point sockets: 41 mm (1-5/8"), 38 mm (1-1/2"), 33 mm (1-5/16")
4-point/square (for square duel lug studs) socket: 21 mm (13/16")
$53

This one is 1:18, weighs 2lbs, people say is a bit flimsier but still good for emergencies: Silver. $43

These are all self contained. You don't need anything else. The grey one says in the questions and answers that it is a 1" drive. These will all fit into the rim of a dually to reach the lug nuts.

Naio wrote:
Here's the most inexpensive of the old fashioned kind. I think it might be best for me -- not having the outrigger would make it fit in more places. Only 1:5, though. 1/2" drive, 400 ft/lbs weighs 3.5lbs: Actual metal. $85

And a real one, $220, 1100ft/lbs, 1:3.5 ratio, 3/4" output, 1/2" input, weighs 5lbs.

These both require you to have a large 1/2" ratchet as a separate tool. These will not fit into the rim of a dually to reach the lug nuts.

[Naio]

Notes on the Amazon ones, for myself and others who may be interested.

There are several that look like the one in the video, but they have surprisingly different specs. The first 3 have the same 1:58 (!!!) ratio, tho. All have pretty good reviews, including use on semis and DPs.

Sorted by color because I am a girl.

Blue.
16lbs, 1" drive.
Comes with (3) 6-point sockets: 41 mm (1-5/8"), 38 mm (1-1/2"), 33 mm (1-5/16")
4-point/square (for square duel lug studs) socket: 21 mm (13/16")
$60

Black.
25lbs!!
Drive size not listed.
Includes 8 Sockets: 24mm(15/16"), 27mm,
30mm(1-3/16"), 32mm(1-1/4"), 33mm, 38mm(1-1/2")
1" Adapter & 1" to 3/4" Adapter/Reducter
$65

Grey.
16lbs
Drive size not listed. Maybe this is secretly the same as the blue 1" one, in a different color case.
6-point sockets: 41 mm (1-5/8"), 38 mm (1-1/2"), 33 mm (1-5/16")
4-point/square (for square duel lug studs) socket: 21 mm (13/16")
$53

This one is 1:18, weighs 2lbs, people say is a bit flimsier but still good for emergencies: Silver. $43

Here's the most inexpensive of the old fashioned kind. I think it might be best for me -- not having the outrigger would make it fit in more places. Only 1:5, though. 1/2" drive, 400 ft/lbs weighs 3.5lbs: Actual metal. $85

And a real one, $220, 1100ft/lbs, 1:3.5 ratio, 3/4" output, 1/2" input, weighs 5lbs.

[Naio]

I think I need me one of these! Amazon has a bunch, prices $42-300.
Linky.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Red face

Green Bruises

[hypoxia]

This sounds like a Red Green episode

[pnichols]

Marvin, thanks for that Cheater Wrench video link!!

What an ingenius device ... eloquent and simple ... engineering at it's finest. Sometimes they really get it right.

[Horizon170]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Tiny toad need trailer to haul that stuff. Half the time the llanteros (yawn TEHR ros) tire men curse when their impacts hammer bit do not turn and then grab their own version of Newton's Persuader. Usually three feet on length.

This will do the job.
MarvinManual helper

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Tiny toad need trailer to haul that stuff. Half the time the llanteros (yawn TEHR ros) tire men curse when their impacts hammer bit do not turn and then grab their own version of Newton's Persuader. Usually three feet on length.

[wa8yxm]

Gee.. I just plug in the Big Bad Wolf (He Huffs and he PUffs and he BLWOS the nuts off) (150 PSI crafstman Air compressor) Plug in the air powered impact wrench, grab the impact socket.. and off come the nuts.