Date:         Thu, 2 Nov 2000 12:37:25 -0500
Reply-To:     Karl Ploessl <ploessl@SUNMAC.SPECT.UPENN.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Ploessl <ploessl@SUNMAC.SPECT.UPENN.EDU>
Subject:      Re: speaking of flat tires. . .
Comments: To: Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MB.SYMPATICO.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I had a flat tire 2 weeks ago on the road: tried the wrench by itsself: no
moving of any nut, rather I am moving the whole van (even with emergeny
brakes on). I slip the 1.2 meter steel pipe (which I have in the van) over
the end of the wrench and with a sickening noise all nuts come off (the
wheels probably weren't taken off  for the last 10 years or even longer).
So, add a piece of pipe to your inventory.  I was back on the road in less
than 10 minutes.

        Karl (who is little and skinny :-)

>Jeff wrote:
>put on the Well I have two, as a result of a little halloween hooliganism.
>Many generous Westy owners in Winnipeg offered me the use of
>their spare for a couple of days until the new tires come in.  I
>can't say how much I appreciate the offers.
>
>However, when trying to change the wheels myself, the lug nuts
>were simply immovable.  I can imagine getting stuck in the
>middle of winter when it's -30 and not being able to get those
>suckers off, and meeting a nasty fate.  Has anybody found a
>wrench with a little more leverage to it?  Or should I instruct
>the guys at the tire shop to tighten the lugs to a specific
>torque?
>
>I'm a big 29 year old dude and can't imagine how some smaller
>folks would handle it.  I've changed tires on the van in the
>past, but this time they're particularly stuck.
>
>Jeff
>85 Westy
>Winnipeg

Karl
'81 Westy "Jenny"
Wilmington, DE