Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2019 00:18:35 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Strategy for stuck lug nuts on Vanagon wheels
In-Reply-To: <9CC1172E-5899-4795-81AF-9DA5E4176594@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Been thinkin' about this....stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire on my 16" GoWesty Rims ...can't loosen my lug nuts. OK...first effort...handle the situation. So yes, Dean, I ordered one of those strong lug nut wrenches with multiple sockets from Amazon, which you sent a link to below; great reviews, fantastic price, will arrive in 2 days. All reviews say they will work. Will get me off the side of the road and back onto the highway. My cheapo 1/4" ratchet, even with a stout 2 foot steel pipe, might not work....probably just break my cheapo ratchet. And then I am even more miserable.
My spare is a standard Vanagon wheel. Steelie, 14". I've got the original nuts and bolts in a bag with it. With a good tire from BusDepot, about 6 years old by now so I better keep track of that. Inflated at proper pressure and a little extra.
But, assuming success....when I get to a medium sized town, there will indeed be a tire shop or mechanic of some kind. I'll explain my situation, and ask him fix my tire (or buy a new one, another endorsement for upgrading to 16" wheels and tires; old 14" tires aren't hardly available, and the performance and strength and selection of the 16" tires makes it a no-brainer, as Dennis Haynes has been saying for years now). Put the spare back into the clamshell. Have them torque lug nuts on my GoWesty alloy wheel to 95 Ft-lbs (per GoWesty recommendation I got today via phone call). And then be on my way.
Rich
San Diego
On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 10:16:11 PM PDT, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net> wrote:
I keep 1 of these in My VDub & All Times ~ Works Great ~
https://tinyurl.com/yyw6mc8k
On 2 Oct , 2019, at 7:01 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:
> Stephan, you are TOTALLY right about this observation. In the old days, with 14" wheels, I would just go to Costco; at the time, it was an appropriate solution. Switched to GoWesty 16" wheels after an on road blow out. I now go to Discount Tire. I'm happy with those guys. But....
>
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> As I remember, I added a little smear of anti-seize grease to threads and faces of bolts. And,....I added a 2 foot length of pipe...in my storage area...to be able to loosen those bolts in the case of an on-the-road emergency. Honestly? I do not know if I could change a tire now. I haven't tried. Ugh.
>
> The Coscto Supervisor, back then, was pretty adament about torquing wheel fasteners to 133 foot pounds. That's a lot. I said, "Well then how am I supposed to get those bolts off? When off on the side of the road in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere??" No solution was reached.
>
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> Suggestions are welcomed.
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 5:31:13 PM PDT, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Ground level: Did a tire shop last tighten the lug nuts/bolts on your wheels? Make sure you can remove them with the lug wrench you have before setting out.
> Stephen
> On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 08:21:52 PM EDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> Hello. I'm getting ready to do a Vanagon roadtrip from San Diego to Portland, OR. About 1,000 miles one way; about 3,000 miles roundtrip...given little extra excursions. I've been doing this since 1974 with my Baywindow, and since 1987 with my 85 Tintop. Trip will be about 2-3 weeks. Mid-October. Here is how I prep for it.
>
> I start at the ground. Tires, all 5, in good shape; inflated to proper pressure. Motor: fresh oil and filter change, coolant fluid clean and full. Of course, no motor problems with Subie 2.2 with 60k miles. Starter and House batteries all check out just fine, less than 4 years. Wheel bearings and CV Joints were both attended to, and also my 3 year annual brake fluid flushing. No leaks or drips anywhere. Brakes (standard disc on front and drum on rear) working fine....no funny stuff. Clutch is good, replaced with Subie conversion.
>
>
> I move up to the next level: interior. Sleeping bags clean, Mr Buddy Heater ready to go with extra propane cylinders, and also an extra sleeping bag and an extra comforter to toss on top. Luci Light (solar) ready. Dishes and pans and cutlery sorta clean! Plastic ice chest clean. Extra water in jugs under rear seat. Some DVD's ready to watch. Laptop computer all updated and charged. CELLPHONE!!!..it's ready too, especially with the Kampnik app installed, that is great. All necessary charging cables for all of these.
>
> I always travel with a paper map. Road Atlas or something; AAA fold up maps are awesome. When out in the boonies, they are worth their weight in gold.
>
>
> In drawers, I've got a couple little baggies of powdered detergent and a bagful of quarters...to do laundry on the road. And some extra money, about $40 in $1 bills. Makes it easy at some of those campgrounds. And....a hidden extra credit card...just in case.
>
> Next level up....exterior. 2nd and 3rd coats of Carnuba Wax, especially on front end where bugs hit. All instrumentation working good. Cruise Control (Audiovox CCS-100) works like a champ. Clean windows. Whisk broom and shakeout on carpeting.
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>
> Food? I kinda get that on the road. Whatever I'm in the mood for, as it happens. Between Garmin Nuvi GPS and Smartphone, it works out pretty easily to find resources. Wow, such luxury compared to when I did this stuff in the 70's! My A/C works too...but probably won't need it for this trip.
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> That's all I can think of for now. No....I tried AAA a few years ago...I decided better spend the money on preventative maintenance instead.
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> Rich
> San Diego
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