tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post116182005107770181..comments2023-11-27T02:17:22.859-06:00Comments on The LawDog Files: Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.LawDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162439513080931212006-11-01T21:51:00.000-06:002006-11-01T21:51:00.000-06:00I got the car jacked up, and I got the lugnuts off...<I>I got the car jacked up, and I got the lugnuts off just fine. But that wheel was not coming off - I crushed the fender trying.</I><BR/><BR/>Just a guess, but I would assume that you had alloy wheels on that Chebby.<BR/><BR/>Back in the 80's, I would up using the same "impact therapy" to remove wheels from a number of cars I worked on, Audis, Mercedes, Porsches. In every case, this was due to dissimlar metals corrosion. It is an ionic (if I remember correctly) reaction between the (primarily) aluminum construction of the wheel and the steel of the brake rotor. Best way to beat it is heat, (like, a gently applied propane torch), followed by repainting of the interior of the wheel with a good grade of paint.<BR/><BR/>(Yes, I know that this reply will probably never be seen. I'm okay with that... ^grin^)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162192660208424342006-10-30T01:17:00.000-06:002006-10-30T01:17:00.000-06:00My girlfriend is tall but quite thin and doesn't h...My girlfriend is tall but quite thin and doesn't have a great deal of strength in her arms and upper body and obviously not strong like a male would be. I got her a high quality 12 volt impact wrench that is powered from her vehicle battery. I wired it with ends that attach to a special forklift/winch quick connector that I wired to her car so she doesn't have to deal with clipping leads to the correct polarity terminals in the dark or anything either. I've got a light that hooks up with it too so the whole set-up she can take with her to the tire. It has the correct lug socket on it and I also modified the jack so that it runs the jack up and down with the same impact wrench. Works great for her and it will bust loose lugs she couldn't otherwise manage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162133393580325602006-10-29T08:49:00.000-06:002006-10-29T08:49:00.000-06:00"For those with severely stuck and rusted lug nuts...<I>"For those with severely stuck and rusted lug nuts, when was the last time you tweaked them to break the rust up?"</I><BR/><BR/>I actually put a drop of motor oil in the threads before reapplying the lugnuts, so that the rust problem won't happen again. <BR/><BR/>And every member of my family carries an "X" wrench in their trunk. At $5.99 for the big ones, they're some of the best insurance you can get your loved one for a hasty toss-in Christmas/Birthday/whatever gift. For REALLY bad situations (like the lock lug won't come off or you're in a place where a jack can't be placed), toss in a plug patching kit, a can of fix-a-flat, and a cheap 12-volt compressor with a car-charger cord.Matt Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500429239798601210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162072808116772512006-10-28T17:00:00.000-05:002006-10-28T17:00:00.000-05:00I helped my 7 year old get the spare out of the tr...I helped my 7 year old get the spare out of the trunk, last time I had to change a tire. I then helped her put the full-sized flat tire back into the trunk. She did everything else, including the final tightening of the lugnuts. I did not, repeat DID NOT tighten them for her. We then went to the tire shop and bought a new tire. <BR/><BR/>Was she directed? Sure. Did she really need much? Nope. Will she be directed the next time? Not at all. I mean, hey-- she's now eight. <BR/><BR/><BR/>While on patrol one day, I got a call for a motorist in distress on the interstate. I found him and his family sitting in their newer-model compact station wagon, with the a/c running. It was a hot day. I asked what the problem was. The tire was flat. Were they missing a spare? He didn't think so. Did they have a jack? He thought so; the car was less than a year old. Was the spare flat? He didn't think it was. Then... what was the problem? He didn't know how to change a tire. <BR/><BR/>Didn't... know... how. . . <BR/><BR/>I'm afraid I punked him out right then and there. I was wearing a midnight blue uniform of polyester and and perhaps a little cotton, and a vest, two guns, and boots. It was near the end of a long day's shift. I wasn't about to change this guy's tire. I had him and his entire family troop out to the tire (outside tire, away from traffic even). I then showed him his owner's manual, which had an 8 page section on changing a tire. I then instructed him, in front of his wife, daughter, and boy, how to change a tire. I had his kids place the lugnuts on, and had him check the tightness. To his credit, he didn't balk. I then briefly lectured him and his wife (also a driver) on the importance of being able to take care of yourself. <BR/>Didactic? Yup. But sooooo necessary.Matt Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500429239798601210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162044841547132092006-10-28T09:14:00.000-05:002006-10-28T09:14:00.000-05:00Quoth jeffro: While we're reforming driver's educa...Quoth jeffro: While we're reforming driver's education for a license to include changing a tire, let's also throw in being able to operate a stick shift.<BR/><BR/>Nononononononono! I've seen too many stories of carjackers stymied by a stickshift to WANT them to know how to drive one..<BR/><BR/>PeetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1162002203631804242006-10-27T21:23:00.000-05:002006-10-27T21:23:00.000-05:00While we're reforming driver's education for a lic...While we're reforming driver's education for a license to include changing a tire, let's also throw in being able to operate a stick shift. Too many people can't shift for themselves.Jeffrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873138122305060834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161989682225640812006-10-27T17:54:00.000-05:002006-10-27T17:54:00.000-05:00Jay G-My first car was an 83 Buick Regal! Yes, yes...Jay G-<BR/><BR/>My first car was an 83 Buick <BR/>Regal! Yes, yes they are very heavy....FroneAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03258706041132907480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161972647908559132006-10-27T13:10:00.000-05:002006-10-27T13:10:00.000-05:00Hell, I've not only changed tires in interesting p...Hell, I've not only changed tires in interesting places and/or for interesting people (*g*), I've actually had to pick cars off the ground after the (hastily placed) jack slipped under the car...<BR/><BR/>BTW, a 1985 Buick Regal is one <B>heavy</B> mother...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161962586620707742006-10-27T10:23:00.000-05:002006-10-27T10:23:00.000-05:00dr. stangegun:should we also include a bottle of s...dr. stangegun:<BR/><BR/>should we also include a bottle of scotch to our kits to help stay warm as well? It'll make any situation work better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161958855449836732006-10-27T09:20:00.000-05:002006-10-27T09:20:00.000-05:00Don't know if it is more disappoinring or not. Bu...Don't know if it is more disappoinring or not. But as a female, I have taught more men how to change a tire or tyre. It is not just women who think they do not have to learn... "That's what AAA is fer" Is the most common retort.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161957724217589832006-10-27T09:02:00.000-05:002006-10-27T09:02:00.000-05:00Add the following items to your emergency kits:Hea...Add the following items to your emergency kits:<BR/><BR/>Heavy rubber mallet<BR/>4-way lug wrench<BR/>penetrant spray (the flammable kind)<BR/><BR/>Those of you with wheels rusted to the hubs, beat it a few times with the mallet (also handy for moving sheetmetal after an accident). The 4-way lug wrench lets you put much more pressure on lugs without adding a sideways force. And penetrant spray is self explanatory... the flammable part is because it's real handy if you're stranded and need to stay warm and all that's around is wet wood.<BR/><BR/>For those with severely stuck and rusted lug nuts, when was the last time you tweaked them to break the rust up?Dr. StrangeGunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03349076338197668654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161953480238514612006-10-27T07:51:00.000-05:002006-10-27T07:51:00.000-05:00Just before cell phones became a must have item I ...Just before cell phones became a must have item I was driving home late one night from a friends house and took a wrong turn. While I was crossing an infamous drawbridge, I heard my tire pop. I drove as far I could hoping to reach a not too far away military base to seek assistance. Instead I had to stop a mile from the base and across from a waste treatment facility on one side of the highway and a shady neighborhood on the other. <BR/> I was all might and bravado as I know how to change a tire and walked around the car with my hazard lights on. I can do this! I grabbed the jack, cranked up my 1984 Toyota Corolla, grabbed the tire iron and went to twist. Those nuts were not going to give. I wrenched, I cursed and tried standing on the tire iron to get those nuts to budge. Nothing.. <BR/>Here's what gets my goose. I watched four police cruisers drive past me along with other several cars slowing down, inspecting and then speeding off. <BR/>I gave up an hour and half later, and drove on the rim trying to reach the military base. I instead managed to pull off the road next to a parked SUV. With no sense for my safety I knocked on the car window. I interrupted a soldier engaging with a lady of the night. He was kind enough to help me with the lug nuts and help get the donut on the car.<BR/>To make my long story short. I was willing, somewhat able to change my tire, but I can't fight the might of an pneumatic wrench.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161928625147129122006-10-27T00:57:00.000-05:002006-10-27T00:57:00.000-05:00Good posts all around! The original example was m...Good posts all around! The original example was more than a little surprising, but it goes to show there's always something more to learn. Oh, and I do know how to change a tire. I even know where to set the jack so I don't wrench the body off the frame. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161926673615325002006-10-27T00:24:00.000-05:002006-10-27T00:24:00.000-05:00One would think that tire changing would be somewh...One would think that tire changing would be somewhere in the copchick training program. <BR/><BR/>How appropriate though the flat tire got the best of her and she had to call a male officer for back-up. It's a wonder she hadn't pumped a half a dozen rounds into it by the time he got there. Or filed a discrimination suit against it or something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161917168325309812006-10-26T21:46:00.000-05:002006-10-26T21:46:00.000-05:00Currently, my fourteen year old daughter and I are...Currently, my fourteen year old daughter and I are changing the head gasket on an 83 Accord that she'll be driving in about a year and a half. She's eager to work on it every evening as soon as I get home from work.<BR/>She and her brother changed the brake pads on my Camry (under my supervision) a couple of months ago and it's her turn to change the oil next month. She wants to be an auto mechanic.<BR/>Before I met her, my wife used to work on her mom's station wagon and even changed the starter.Shanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07708633184525957776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161907700847008412006-10-26T19:08:00.000-05:002006-10-26T19:08:00.000-05:00Pardon, I should have written "daddies." (Iyz is ...Pardon, I should have written "daddies." (Iyz is educated). Additionally, I have dear, afflicted girlfriends with PhDs that can't change light bulbs - no kidding.No Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937153685615919457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161907285506709542006-10-26T19:01:00.000-05:002006-10-26T19:01:00.000-05:00According to the overwhelming responses you've rec...According to the overwhelming responses you've received, seems many daddy's assured their little girls learned basic vehicle maintenance. I know my daddy certainly did. By the way, I always keep a can of Fix-A-Flat in my trunk just in case (dressed up, lug is too tight, on a dirt road, etc) until I can get to a tire center or level ground.No Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937153685615919457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161895938473410692006-10-26T15:52:00.000-05:002006-10-26T15:52:00.000-05:00My step daughters have had to instruct some "relly...My step daughters have had to instruct some "relly cool" surfer types on how to change a flat. The wild part is the guy's weren't even embarased.<BR/>TOQDWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161895758044777852006-10-26T15:49:00.000-05:002006-10-26T15:49:00.000-05:00Will she back you up in a tussle? The female deput...Will she back you up in a tussle? The female deputies in my old department would/could not. <BR/>I have changed tires for old men who I felt were beyond having to deal with that stuff, and I still do it for "helpless" women.<BR/>BTW, my two daughters ( and two sons)have the skills to do this and more. It's my responsibility to teach them how.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161894870698846812006-10-26T15:34:00.000-05:002006-10-26T15:34:00.000-05:00Being a driver, I do know how to do the basics, su...Being a driver, I do know how to do the basics, such as change a tire. However, I dislike doing it and will only do my own work in a pinch. Otherwise, I pay someone to do it. To me, it's a worthwhile expense.<BR/><BR/>Motomama (F)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161894290308581082006-10-26T15:24:00.000-05:002006-10-26T15:24:00.000-05:00I second (and third, etc) several other posters. ...I second (and third, etc) several other posters. I had to change a tire on my family's 1970 GMC station wagon (talk about a HEAVY car) and do all the fluids before my dad would let me get a driver's liscense. (This was in the days before cell phones, of course, but the princlple is the same = universal coverage isn't really universal, after all.)<BR/><BR/>And the Marine!Goth actually thanked me once that I'd taught him how to do laundry, iron his shirts and sew. It seems he's now the 'go to' guy for sewing on patches in the baracks. He hasn't bought his own pizza for weeks *G*.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161888596874751962006-10-26T13:49:00.000-05:002006-10-26T13:49:00.000-05:00Its is a common thing these days. But my dad made ...Its is a common thing these days. But my dad made sure (before I actually got to get my license in fact) that I could change a tire, replace the oil, and do the basic "Oh Shit!" repairs on my car. Now if given an option... I will confess to bribery with baked goods and real food (you would be amazed what a group of single men will do for home made venison stew, fresh baked bread, and a hot plate of brownies!) when push comes to shove I can deal. Mom made sure my brother could do his laundry and darn his clothes as well. He can also make a mean red sauce as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161888406868450322006-10-26T13:46:00.000-05:002006-10-26T13:46:00.000-05:00This is another case of someone wanting superior t...This is another case of someone wanting superior treatment not equal treatment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161887244972665192006-10-26T13:27:00.000-05:002006-10-26T13:27:00.000-05:00... 'snot like it's complicated or anything ...Is ...... 'snot like it's <I>complicated</I> or anything ...<BR/><BR/>Is it possible your cow-orker just wanted a day off?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1161883225563202552006-10-26T12:20:00.000-05:002006-10-26T12:20:00.000-05:00click=slickclick=slickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com