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naturegirl

Changing a tire

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So I did decided to upgrade my tires from the street tires it came with. I asked Discount not to tighten the lug nuts too much and explained why. The answer was they have to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturers specs or risk lawsuits. I said okay then the minimum spec.

 

The point of this is to NOT need assistance from another person. We never know what type of person will stop to help. 99.9% of the time it's not a problem, but the other 0.1% is a gamble.

 

I just heard a story yesterday about two men help another man change a tire out in the sticks. The man being helped also didn't know that animals such as mountain lions or bears live in the area. Funny.

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Busted tires when I was a kid and changed my own since I was old enough to drive. A little dab of never sieze on the threads of each stud and lugs torqued to spec has never left me dissapointed, and sure never left me needing herculean strength to bust them loose. If you have open top lugs and live in snow country, be more generous with the never sieze, then double up on the lugs to cover the entire thread of the stud and it will keep them from rusting so bad. Go get a decent long handled ratchet or breaker bar and a socket that fits. Make sure everything works in the driveway at home. If it doesn't work there, it sure as heck won't when you need it.

 

I can't fathom someone venturing off the highway not knowing, having what's needed, or being able to change a flat tire, though I've certainly helped more than one person that was in that situation. Even caught a guy down by Arivaca "Borrowing" the spare from my Toyota once, since he didn't have one. I politely let him know I had no intention of loaning out my spare, gave him a ride to town to get another wheel/tire, then took him back out and helped him change it out.

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Now that you got every bit of information on how to change a tire you must feel much better about heading back off the main road to hunt. Always check the condition of your tires and keep that cell phone handy. I would bet there would be a cwt member not far who would come to your rescue. :)

 

TJ

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So I did decided to upgrade my tires from the street tires it came with. I asked Discount not to tighten the lug nuts too much and explained why. The answer was they have to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturers specs or risk lawsuits. I said okay then the minimum spec.

 

The point of this is to NOT need assistance from another person. We never know what type of person will stop to help. 99.9% of the time it's not a problem, but the other 0.1% is a gamble.

 

I just heard a story yesterday about two men help another man change a tire out in the sticks. The man being helped also didn't know that animals such as mountain lions or bears live in the area. Funny.

No No, I said a MAN. Just cuz they have the parts doesn't make them a MAN!

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Just be glad you don't have an 8 lug, 3/4 ton, and big tires, where the wheels haven't been off for awhile. About gave myself a hernia the last time using a 4 way.

 

Good advice from the others here. I since, got a longer breaker bar with an extension. Makes a world of difference.

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Congratulations Naturegirl. Now for the next steps...

 

#1: If you have not already done so, loosen and then tighten all lug nuts as other posters have suggested. You don't need a torque wrench and don't use your foot on the 4 way. While you are there....

 

#2: Take a look at the new tires you purchased and make sure they have "LT" on them and NOT "P." You know what the "P" stands for; It isn't "passenger.". If they are "P" tires take them back and exchange them for "LT's." This is more important than size or tread pattern.

 

#2: Move up to putting on mud/snow chains. Try it in the driveway and tell yourself you will always install them before you need them. You won't, but good intentions have to lead somewhere.

 

Happy Hunting

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People who put never seize on, or loosen their nuts, please put a sign on the back saying " back off I am stupid."

Get the right tools and learn how to use them or stay close to home.

It is better that you have to wait for someone to come along to help you than for you to lose a wheel while going 100 mph ( ie. over your ability to drive) and kill another person.

Come on guys don't tell people your stupid tricks. Not everyone knows to do things right.

Discount is right, tighten to specs.

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Most wheels are 80-130 ft-lbs. if you can't break that loose get and ccarry an electric impact and a small floor lift jack. Both make the job easy. Stop leak will ruin a tire but works in a pinch. A good jack, impact, carpet pad, and two spares will give you peace of mind, man or woman.

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