My Lug Nuts

[Mark Sanders]

Today I went out to the gyro trailer to take off the wheels and re grease the bearings, getting ready for the trip to El Mirage. I have never had a flat so far on the trailer, and it's a good thing, cause the lug nuts were on so tight that I had to use a 4 foot length of pipe to slide over the 4 way lug wrench. and it bent the lug wrench getting them loose I don't usually carry a 4 foot piece of pipe with me. its a good thing I decided to grease the bearings I could have been out some where have a flat and not be able to change the tire. something to concider if you have a trailer that you purchased and have not had the tire off. check those lugs before you go that their not to tight to get off. some of these guys that put tires on with a air wrench don't care. if your standing out their somewhere with out a 4 foot piece of pipe to use as a breaker bar.

 

[dabkb2]

Good catch Mark, I still need to check out my trailer, El Mirage is getting close.

 

[Mark Sanders]

most people think of the wheel comeing off but never imagine that the lugs would be so tight that they can't take it off with out a cheeter. bent my lug wrench purty good too.

 

[Vance]

In my experience it is worthwhile to service the trailer once a year and inspect everything.

It is best to not wait till the last minute to check the lights as a problem here can require a lengthy repair or a purchase of stuff.

Anything with wheels that sits a lot will be problematic.

Thank You, Vance

 

[Doug Riley]

I also put anti-seize compound on the threads. I have had lugs break right off from the effort needed to unscrew them when frozen.

 

[Mark Sanders]

In my experience it is worthwhile to service the trailer once a year and inspect everything.

It is best to not wait till the last minute to check the lights as a problem here can require a lengthy repair or a purchase of stuff.

Anything with wheels that sits a lot will be problematic.

Thank You, Vance

The lights are next to checked and the tie downs that secure the gyro to the trailer.

 

[Mark Sanders]

I also put anti-seize compound on the threads. I have had lugs break right off from the effort needed to unscrew them when frozen.

thanks Doug I used a little grease to thread the nuts on then wiped the threads clean. no use in haveing a spare tire and jack if you can't get the tire off. I went all the way to florida and back then many trips locally not knowing that I would not be able to remove the lugs with out a long piece of pipe. Im sure many people have had flats and could not unscrew the lugs and it cost them alot of extra trouble.

 

[dcarr4321]

The same applies for your car/truck

The same applies for your car/truck

The same applies for your car/truck. Check those nuts to make sure they can be removed. Make sure you have wheel chocks too.

I once got new tires and watched the technician put the nuts on with an air wrench. I handed him my tire wrench and told him to brake the nuts. He said “I can’t”. That’s right and you think I will be able to. Now loosen them and I will retighten them with a tire tool. A little bit of Never-Seize is good but wire brushing the rust off the bolt threads is really all that is necessary.

 

[James]

Mark, I have a utility trailer and thought I had the same problem. I put a large cheater on the lug and either was going to loosen it or break the stud, which ever came first. Just before I was ready to apply all of my weight on it I decided to take a closer look. The trailer has a straight axel that came off of a Studabaker truck. The right side has LEFT HAND THREADS, the left side has right hand threads. If I had not taken that one last look I am sure I would have twisted every stud.

James Lee
Gallatin, TN