Date:         Sat, 5 Mar 2011 13:59:13 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: How to get spare tire out??? Urgent!
Comments: To: David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <399084.19010.qm@web33607.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 01:34 PM 3/5/2011, David M wrote:
>Nut looks to be like 19mm but my 19mm socket is a bit loose. Nut is
>very tight has not been removed in over 10 years but I desperately
>need to get my spare tire out and mounted. I tried WD40 but its real
>diffuicult to apply it and so far it refuses to yield and the socket
>continually slips. Anyone got any ideas? Personally, I think the
>whole concept of needing a special tool to access the spare tire is
>a dumb design.

The proper bolt has an extra-large 19-mm head so that it can be
operated with the same tool as the lug nuts/bolts.  Some PO lost the
one on mine and it presently has a 16-mm head which is a nuisance.

Suggest PB Blaster which is an excellent penetrant despite the
snake-oil appearance of the can, and will squirt in a fine stream
exactly where you want it.

Suggest measuring the bolt head - clearly either it has rusted
undersize or it's simply a different size.  If it's rusted perhaps a
good sharp pair of Vise-Grips will be a good bet?

For future consideration, a bit of antiseize on the bolt and more
frequent exercise when you rotate tires, check pressure etc. would
probably help.

Yours,
David