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Started By
Message
Factory Tire Tools
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:51 am
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:51 am
Do the engineers design these things to be shitty?
I woke up this morning to a flat. No problem. I have a full-size spare. So, I get out the tire changing "kit" and proceed to change the tire. Should take about 15 minutes, right?
An hour later I finally got the damn thing changed. I've changed plenty of tires in my life, but I think the tool set provided from the factory has gotten worse every year.
Lug wrench was this little short, stumpy thing that didn't fit properly (That's what she said!). I was standing on the damn thing trying to break the nuts free. Finally, I had to get a mini sledge out of the back of my car and hammer the wrench tight before I could get enough shoulder in the thing to get the nuts free without it slipping off. (Goddamn. Changing a tire is dirty.)
Of course there was a locknut.
The jack was a flimsy little thing with the hook and loop attachment with the twisty thing that simultaneously allows for zero torque and increases the chance of removing large quantities of skin from your knuckles.
The POS screw jack bowed out about halfway up and I had to reset it and try again.
Eventually, everything got sorted despite the shitty tools, but I can't imagine how a woman could be expected to change a tire in the dark or on the side of the road.
I'm by no means even an amateur mechanic, but I can change oil, belts, batteries, pumps and tires.
How do these companies expect women and people that don't know the "little tricks" to change their tires in an emergency?
Might as well just put a card next to the spare that says, "Call AAA."
TL;DR
Tire tools suck. It's too damn hot to change a tire this morning.
I woke up this morning to a flat. No problem. I have a full-size spare. So, I get out the tire changing "kit" and proceed to change the tire. Should take about 15 minutes, right?
An hour later I finally got the damn thing changed. I've changed plenty of tires in my life, but I think the tool set provided from the factory has gotten worse every year.
Lug wrench was this little short, stumpy thing that didn't fit properly (That's what she said!). I was standing on the damn thing trying to break the nuts free. Finally, I had to get a mini sledge out of the back of my car and hammer the wrench tight before I could get enough shoulder in the thing to get the nuts free without it slipping off. (Goddamn. Changing a tire is dirty.)
Of course there was a locknut.
The jack was a flimsy little thing with the hook and loop attachment with the twisty thing that simultaneously allows for zero torque and increases the chance of removing large quantities of skin from your knuckles.
The POS screw jack bowed out about halfway up and I had to reset it and try again.
Eventually, everything got sorted despite the shitty tools, but I can't imagine how a woman could be expected to change a tire in the dark or on the side of the road.
I'm by no means even an amateur mechanic, but I can change oil, belts, batteries, pumps and tires.
How do these companies expect women and people that don't know the "little tricks" to change their tires in an emergency?
Might as well just put a card next to the spare that says, "Call AAA."
TL;DR
Tire tools suck. It's too damn hot to change a tire this morning.
5
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:54 am to PurpleandGold Motown
This is why I carry a small hydraulic bottle jack and a small four way tire iron in my truck.
The biggest pain in changing a flat isn't actually "changing the flat," it's dicking with the factory scissor jack and all of the extension handles.
The biggest pain in changing a flat isn't actually "changing the flat," it's dicking with the factory scissor jack and all of the extension handles.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:55 am to PurpleandGold Motown
Agree on all points
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:58 am to Tear It Up
This is entirely too accurate. I don't think the manufacturer expects anyone to change their own anymore. Recently had to change one on a $70k Mercedes SUV. Expensive car, big tires, upgraded tools? Right? Nope. Same crap tools as you find in a compact Dodge. Had to call a friend to the location with real tools.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 9:59 am to jbgleason
Yep. This is the Lexus. Went over to the Range Rover thinking the tools would be a bit more heavy duty since...fricking Range Rover.
Nope same damn set.
Nope same damn set.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:02 am to PurpleandGold Motown
[img]Yep. This is the Lexus. Went over to the Range Rover thinking the tools would be a bit more heavy duty since...fricking Range Rover. [/img]
Oh I see this is a BRAG THREAD...
Oh I see this is a BRAG THREAD...
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:05 am to jbgleason
quote:
Recently had to change one on a $70k Mercedes SUV.
You know there's an 800 number you can call and Mercedes will send a service technician to your location to change the tire for you, free of charge. You might have to wait a long fricking time, but they'll do it.
ETA: they'll do it for any year Mercedes too, whether it's still under warranty or not.
This post was edited on 6/21/15 at 10:08 am
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:06 am to rsbd
quote:
[img]Yep. This is the Lexus. Went over to the Range Rover thinking the tools would be a bit more heavy duty since...fricking Range Rover. [/img]
Oh I see this is a BRAG THREAD...
08 and 2010.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:10 am to PurpleandGold Motown
quote:
I was standing on the damn thing trying to break the nuts free
Try to avoid this, its the best way to strip a nut. Now that you know, keep a cheater pipe in the car.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:10 am to PurpleandGold Motown
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:12 am to PurpleandGold Motown
Were you at home? If so, why don't you have a floor jack?
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:17 am to LSUSUPERSTAR
A lot of new cars don't come with a spare so you won't have to deal with the shitty factory tire tools
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:30 am to weadjust
The first truck I ever owned was a 1994 GMC Sierra, and it had an awesome factory jack (compared to everything else I've seen). It was a screw-jack with a solid base, long handle, and plenty of lift height. When I sold the truck, I kept the jack, and it has rode in every vehicle I have owned since.
On another note, every time I have tire work done, I insist that the shop guys NOT use an impact gun to torque the lugs. I want them hand tightened. Many places don't have properly calibrated impact wrenches, and they will be almost impossible to loosen on the side of the road.
On another note, every time I have tire work done, I insist that the shop guys NOT use an impact gun to torque the lugs. I want them hand tightened. Many places don't have properly calibrated impact wrenches, and they will be almost impossible to loosen on the side of the road.
This post was edited on 6/21/15 at 10:32 am
Posted on 6/21/15 at 10:40 am to PurpleandGold Motown
I always carry a small floor jack and a breaker bar.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:04 am to jbgleason
Audi is the same way. My wife got a flat pulling into a parking lot to meet me (pretty sure she hit a curb but won't admit it). I opened the trunk to get out the tools to change the tire, laughed at how crappy the tools were, then called road side assistance to come change the tire. Seriously, I think they put those tools in there just to mess with you!
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:07 am to rsbd
quote:
Lexus. Went over to the Range Rover
Shoulda tried the Lambo. Bet it's got a sweet kit.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:10 am to 385 Tiger
quote:
On another note, every time I have tire work done, I insist that the shop guys NOT use an impact gun to torque the lugs. I want them hand tightened. Many places don't have properly calibrated impact wrenches, and they will be almost impossible to loosen on the side of the road.
This. Almost every shop wayyyy over tightens the lugs. The grease monkeys they hire don't know any better or don't care. Besides being a PITA to get loose, an over tightened lugs can warp rotors.
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:11 am to PurpleandGold Motown
Damn. Now I'll have to go check out my Jag tools.
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