Locking wheel nuts - Ford
My friend died 2 weeks ago. Her motorhome is parked but had a flat tire in front. The wheel cover/hubcap won't come off because she has a lock wheel nut. My Motorhome has the same wheel covers, but mi...
Forum Discussion
First, condolences. I've lost several dear ones close to me in the last few months, one yesterday.
The common covers are from Dicor (yep, same as the Rubber Roof People). Six of the eight "nuts" are fake. Two are stainless trim caps snapped over common steel nuts. You can see the little crimp marks on those two. Is that what you are seeing? Our C has those, and didn't happen to come with the little T-handled "wrench." When I saw the "wrench" I learned it wouldn't get them adequately tight. Nor would it get them OFF if they had rusted in place. If the nuts are simply Hex, if the "wrench" is simply "Hex" (and by that I mean no oddball pattern so a unique nut pattern takes a unique wrench pattern), then they're stuck. I bought a 1-1/8" Deep Socket, 1/2" drive size, at Lowe's. Then I use my mechanic's ratchet. I like the Lowe's sockets because the portion that holds the nut is a little deeper than other brands. Because it's the front wheel, you don't need a socket extension. Could even use a "box end wrench." Of course you could use an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, etc. but the chances of mangling the trim cover go way up if you do.
Something that grips like the closed "Box" end of the wrench or socket. About $10 each on Amazon Prime. Lowe's was about $10 for the socket. I don't think Harbor Freight sells those sizes individually.
You "might" be able to jack that wheel up a little and see if the bead touches the rim and you can air it without dealing with the lugs. I give you 99% probability of success with a wrench, 9% with the jack.
Please post a pic of the fasteners if they don't look like I described. Thanks for helping your friends. Wish we could find somebody close who could come and help.
The common covers are from Dicor (yep, same as the Rubber Roof People). Six of the eight "nuts" are fake. Two are stainless trim caps snapped over common steel nuts. You can see the little crimp marks on those two. Is that what you are seeing? Our C has those, and didn't happen to come with the little T-handled "wrench." When I saw the "wrench" I learned it wouldn't get them adequately tight. Nor would it get them OFF if they had rusted in place. If the nuts are simply Hex, if the "wrench" is simply "Hex" (and by that I mean no oddball pattern so a unique nut pattern takes a unique wrench pattern), then they're stuck. I bought a 1-1/8" Deep Socket, 1/2" drive size, at Lowe's. Then I use my mechanic's ratchet. I like the Lowe's sockets because the portion that holds the nut is a little deeper than other brands. Because it's the front wheel, you don't need a socket extension. Could even use a "box end wrench." Of course you could use an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, etc. but the chances of mangling the trim cover go way up if you do.
Something that grips like the closed "Box" end of the wrench or socket. About $10 each on Amazon Prime. Lowe's was about $10 for the socket. I don't think Harbor Freight sells those sizes individually.
You "might" be able to jack that wheel up a little and see if the bead touches the rim and you can air it without dealing with the lugs. I give you 99% probability of success with a wrench, 9% with the jack.
Please post a pic of the fasteners if they don't look like I described. Thanks for helping your friends. Wish we could find somebody close who could come and help.
