Just changed my first wheel

big_white_dog84 · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:01

Borrowed my gf's car today and discovered it had a puncture. So I changed my first wheel. Want to check I have done it right before I go driving any fast roads.

Jack car up and take off wheel.

Put new wheel on.
Hand tighten the nuts, then give a wee tweak with the wheel brace thing
Lower the car, and tighten the nuts fully with wheel brace thing.

Anything I should be worried about? At first the car was sitting too high, but as I drove off it bumped back down and now looks OK. I've driven it about 2 miles at 30mph and it sounds fine.

TaKeN · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:05

Hmm some people actually jump on the wheel brace to get the nuts super tight,

Everything youve done so far sounds fine.

But i usualy losen the nuts abit whilst the car is on the ground before removing the flat wheel, it makes it easier imo

EDIT : Don't Jump on the wheel brace

SgtTupac · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:08

JUMP on the wheel brace to tighten them! Jesus no! :eek:

thebrasso · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:10

AFAIK wheel knuts are usually applied with a specific amount of tightness (adjustable using a torque wrench I guess) so it could be worth nipping to a garage and asking them to check the wheel tightness.

When I changed mine I also loosened them slightly whilst the car was on the ground before jacking it up.

TaKeN · 8 Apr 2006 at 13:14

SgtTupac said:
JUMP on the wheel brace to tighten them! Jesus no!

Hey what do you expect from me

I live on a farm and whenever i do a wheel up, i do it up tight

You dont want the wheel to come off a artic trailer or something when its carrying 12 round bales or silage. But i suppose we are talking about a car here lol

SgtTupac · 8 Apr 2006 at 14:20

TaKeN said:
Hey what do you expect from me

I live on a farm and whenever i do a wheel up, i do it up tight

You dont want the wheel to come off a artic trailer or something when its carrying 12 round bales or silage. But i suppose we are talking about a car here lol

Thought you was on about a car mate. Even thought, a suitable torque wrench will do upto 1000nm using arm strength with weight behind it

big_white_dog84 · 8 Apr 2006 at 14:35

Thanks for the replies.

I did loosen them when still on the ground. I have now done about 6 miles at 60mph and it all sounds fine. Going to check the tightness before I set out on my next journey, but at the moment I'm confident I will live.

geiger · 8 Apr 2006 at 15:50

Just check it in a weeks time, tyre pressure should be checked regularly anyway

MrSix · 8 Apr 2006 at 16:12

Whenever I tighten up the nuts on a car wheel I do it as tight as I can with arm strength, then give it a further little tweak with my foot (not kicking, just applying pressure) just so I know that it's tight.

Not had any problems yet.

lukechad · 8 Apr 2006 at 16:16

You should try and hold the bottom of the wheel in position with your foot 9if you are sat looking at the wheel), they have a nack of leaning towards you at the bottom, and try and tighten opposite bolts first, then the remaining ones, dont go round in a circle. Dont ask why, just what the haynes says for me