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Don't know if this has been covered before but here goes. Just been to our storage to fit some locking wheelnuts to our Bailey Pageant and was surprised to discover that the corner steady winder is too large to fit the wheel nut holes in the alloy wheels, this could be a disaster if a tyre punctures and we don't have an appropriate socket or wheel nut tool. Is this common on most caravan makes I wonder.

                  Jim

Jim,

Do you not have a wheel brace supplied with the van? Mine has one but it's a bit short to get much leverage so I would always carry one of the telescopic ones.

Like this.

see here

torque wrench

alloy wheel socket

Link to Argos Torque Wrench

CLICK ON PICTURE

You're not supposed to use the corner steady winder for the wheel nuts. You should have a proper wheel brace..usually supplied with a van...well if you buy new. Second hand and it can be one of those things that go missing. Better still get a Torque Wrench and socket..usually 19mm. (Halfords wrench came out top in one survey I read recently about £49.00 plus socket). Mind you as your corner steady brace is too large then maybe your nuts are 17mm. Many cars are the same size so maybe the brace in your car would do the job.

Does this mean you have never checked or tightened your wheel nuts? Stand in the corner......

Phil

We always carry a socket set &  length of steel tube to slide over the wheel brace to crack the stud with less effort. I also carry the torque wrench, it's only been needed three times over the years but has enjoyed some lovely holidays.

I never go far without my tools & my trolley jack & a length of 3x2 timber, they don't take much room & you never know when you'll need either.

BB

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 04/3/2010

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You're not supposed to use the corner steady winder for the wheel nuts. You should have a proper wheel brace..usually supplied with a van...well if you buy new. Second hand and it can be one of those things that go missing. Better still get a Torque Wrench and socket..usually 19mm. (Halfords wrench came out top in one survey I read recently about £49.00 plus socket). Mind you as your corner steady brace is too large then maybe your nuts are 17mm. Many cars are the same size so maybe the brace in your car would do the job.

Does this mean you have never checked or tightened your wheel nuts? Stand in the corner......

Phil

Yes, I do check them with my mate's torque wrench, wouldn't care I've just finished working at Argos last weekend, could have got my own torque wrench a bit cheaper. I'd just popped to the storage on the spur of the moment, my wheel brace has a sprung loaded swivel which looks as though it can double up as a wheel nut brace and I assumed ( wrongly ) it would fit the nuts. Must sort something out this weekend.

         Jim

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