Tire change by myself

[RideSlow2004]

Didn't have to, but realize I could not have. Things I need to get: 24mm socket for the lug nuts. Torque wrench that reads to 155lbs. Long wrench handle or extender.

What did you do?

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have over the years used a four way lug wrench with fairly long arms to be very useful in putting the spare back on the lug nuts. Just get the tire as close to the hub as possible then extend two legs of the lug wrench under the tire and pry up. Helps prevent unwanted hernias. I carry the same tools as you except I also carry a long 1/2" drive extension, probably 10" long for the rears on the dually. bg

 

[cerberusiam]

You should have the jack and all the needed lug wrenches under the passenger seat. You don't need a TQ wrench, just get them good an tight until you can get one. The physical aspect is all on you, if you cannot get the tire down from the carrier and on\off the axle then all the tools in the world won't help. Easiest way to put it on is sit down with the tire in your lap so you can use your legs and arms to align it. If you can kneel and picking the tire\wheel up to put it on then you are better off.

 

[phantomusa]

I would never put any part of my body under a vehicle thats a very unsafe move when its supported by a jack
Never install a tire in a sitting position using your legs that are under the vehicle unless you no longer have need of your legs
Most people jack the vehicle up too high....I use a bar and roll the tire onto it then just lever the tire into place easy to do
Pappy

 

[BarryG]

I sit indian style and put my arms along the inside of my thighs and put my hands about 5 and 7 oclock on the tire then sort of curl the tire into place using legs for support and additional lifting power. Sitting indian style keeps my legs from getting under the truck. I also only jack the vehicle enough to get the tire on so I only have to lift the tire 1/2 an inch or so.

 

[cerberusiam]

Never install a tire in a sitting position using your legs that are under the vehicle unless you no longer have need of your legs
Most people jack the vehicle up too high....

There was never anything said about putting body parts under the truck, inferring a bit too much without thinking about it.

Changing a tire on the road generates a better chance of getting hit by an errant motorist than the truck falling off a jack unless ZERO attention is paid to safety and common sense is totally absent. There are times that calling a service truck is just a better idea.

 

[RideSlow2004]

Working on putting together a proper kit. As far as experience changing tires, I have been doing that sorta stuff all my life. Technique isn't the issue, the proper tools are, and I do not have the physical strength I once did. (Although I can put more poundage now on the end of the lever...) I will figure it out and put some info up. But that will be in a couple of weeks. Have a great 4th, woo hoo....back in a week or so!!!

 

[cerberusiam]

Like I said, tools to do should already be there. A small floor jack and a good big 4 way are both good additions for ease of use. Many times had to change trailer tires and floor jack really makes thing easier as does a good 4 way. I have forgotten the last time I changed a truck tire for a flat, seems if one keeps adequate tires on the vehicle and checks air pressure periodically flats are few and far between. Trailers on the other hand, get ignored until they blow.

 

[Ozymandias]

The OEM Tool under the Passenger Seat is by design made to meet the proper Torque used by an average Man.

 

[NIsaacs]

Like I said, tools to do should already be there. A small floor jack and a good big 4 way are both good additions for ease of use. Many times had to change trailer tires and floor jack really makes thing easier as does a good 4 way. I have forgotten the last time I changed a truck tire for a flat, seems if one keeps adequate tires on the vehicle and checks air pressure periodically flats are few and far between. Trailers on the other hand, get ignored until they blow.

I agree with the small floor jack, the low clearance is really handy for all types of repairs. I carry a 30" piece of rebar so I can use them over their capacity even the cheap ones hold up really well. I also carry a handyman and a 6 ton bottle jack. I carry a Craftsman 1/2" battery powered impact wrench along with several other battery tools so I always have extra batteries. Like cerb said, a flat on the pickup is rare but my trailers that's another story. I also carry several different sized wood blocks.

Nick

 

[Jim W]

I carry a torque wrench and the necessary tools to change a tire on the road, along with a air pressure gage. I also have the reflectors triangles to place out on the road way when changing a tire. This all fits very nicely under the rear seats of my Mega Cab. I also use the torque wrench every time I pull my camper checking the lug nuts on them along with the air pressure of all the tires on my TV and trailer.

The Mach one ELBOW can never apply the proper fastener torque to any fastener when a specific torque is specified. Good Enough is not good enough where my family safety and others are concerned. Just my humble opinion.

 

[phantomusa]

I just change the flat tire an drive home nothing fancy get it done get it home if i dont have a spare I drive till i see major sparks then I slow down

 

[rashwor]

The best addition to my roadside kit has to be my 1/2" drive dewalt cordless impact wrench with a 12v cigar charger. Makes quick work of the lug nuts installed by tire store gorillas which the factory wrench just won't do. I carry sockets and extensions for all my lugs; truck and trailers. Plus a small sharp spade, 12 ton hydraulic jack (factory jack is a joke), blocks and pry bars. I have changed more than 1 loaded trailer tire on the road and all of them were legal tread; it gets hot in Texas and that will kill good tires with a load.

 

[ringneck]

tire plugs and a small compresser in trailer.

 

[User113]

Didn't have to, but realize I could not have. Things I need to get: 24mm socket for the lug nuts. Torque wrench that reads to 155lbs. Long wrench handle or extender.

What did you do?

I have found that when shops work on my truck where they have to R/R the wheels the lug nuts are often on so tight that I cannot get them off with the lug wrench in the kit. I have resorted to jumping on them, at times, to no avail. I have even bent a few lug wrenches over the years by doing this. So one thing I always try to remember to do:

Whenever I have such work done by any shop anywhere, I always loosen the lug nuts as soon as I get home with my breaker bar (and sometimes a cheater pipe) then I re-torque the lug nuts to the proper spec. I have never had an issue getting the lug nuts off using the lug wrench in the kit when the lug nuts are properly torqued.

 

[jgillott]

I have found that when shops work on my truck where they have to R/R the wheels the lug nuts are often on so tight that I cannot get them off with the lug wrench in the kit. I have resorted to jumping on them, at times, to no avail. I have even bent a few lug wrenches over the years by doing this. So one thing I always try to remember to do:

Whenever I have such work done by any shop anywhere, I always loosen the lug nuts as soon as I get home with my breaker bar (and sometimes a cheater pipe) then I re-torque the lug nuts to the proper spec. I have never had an issue getting the lug nuts off using the lug wrench in the kit when the lug nuts are properly torqued.

This is really good advice. I should follow it, but sometimes either get too lazy or just assume that things should be OK....Wrong.

A few weeks ago, I needed to get the front wheels off of my 1/2 to replace the brake pads. Low and behold, tire shop cross threaded one of the lugs on the driver's side. We have been driving along for 5000 miles or so without knowing it. Thankfully I found out at home in the garage instead of along the road when we had a flat.

 

[User113]

Low and behold, tire shop cross threaded one of the lugs on the driver's side.

I had that happen at NTB many years ago on my '64 Oldsmobile F-85. I took it back to them and they replaced the stud for me no questions asked (I had to wait a bit though as they had to special order order it).

That time was MY learning experience.