Can you change a wheel??

EazyD · 23-02-2014 10:05pm

Yes, I find it shocking that any able-driver wouldn't.

Mrs W · 23-02-2014 10:08pm

Yes, I wasn't sure if I did until I noticed a had a flat tyre when the car was in the driveway so I said I'd try it and could call for help (my dad) if I couldn't do it but it was no bother!

I have roadside assistance with my car insurance anyway but at least now I know I can do it myself:)

Mickey H · 23-02-2014 10:11pm

DoozerT6 wrote: »

Technically yes I can, but I get flat tyres so infrequently, as in every two or three years (touch wood), that I completely forget the process and how to do it properly. So the lovely men from AXA Rescue come out and do it for me. And as I watch them, I think "Jesus, that's so simple, I'm an awful eejit for not doing it myself. I really must remember how it's done for next time".

And when next time comes along, three years later....tumbleweeds in my brain. Out comes the phone......"Hello, AXA?"

I do, however know how to check the oil, water, tyre pressure. I know people who have no idea how to check these.

So that's why my premium is so high.

Personally I believe that if a Breakdown Service is used to change a wheel, the driver should have to pay a call out charge of €50, just like your local garage would do. A flat wheel is NOT a breakdown.

lukesmom · 23-02-2014 10:12pm

ElleEm wrote: »

I feel like such a princess saying this but I don't know how to change a tyre. I have been told how but have never done it. If I was alone and got a puncture, I would probably just phone my da to rescue me.

Same here

Tokyo · 23-02-2014 10:13pm

EazyD wrote: »

Yes, I find it shocking that any able-driver wouldn't.

I would agree, yet 1/5th of the people in the above poll don't. It's been quite a while since my drivers test, but I remember hearing afterwards that there was going to be a practical component added to the test. I assume that changing a wheel didn't fall under this then?

Mickey H · 23-02-2014 10:15pm

mike_ie wrote: »

I would agree, yet 1/5th of the people in the above poll don't. It's been quite a while since my drivers test, but I remember hearing afterwards that there was going to be a practical component added to the test. I assume that changing a wheel didn't fall under this then?

Unfortunately, it didn't. They just ask you to turn on the wipers...or something. Maybe, check the oil.

BS really.

Agricola · 23-02-2014 10:16pm

Mickey H wrote: »

A flat wheel is NOT a breakdown.

Technically, it would be. Wheels generally need to be round to turn, so if the wheel has somehow become flat, it could be every difficult to get it off the rim without cutting tools etc.

somefeen · 23-02-2014 10:19pm

I've done it so many times that unless its been tightened to **** by a pneumatic gun I can usually do it in less than 5 minutes.

Femme_Fatale · 23-02-2014 10:22pm

Have boob, will flash.

Aineoil · 23-02-2014 10:22pm

I know how to change a tyre, but honestly I am not strong enough to undo the nuts on the wheel. My tyres are put on in the garage and they use a machine to tighten them.

Years ago a guy in lovely suit driving a BMW got a flat tyre just outside my house. I live in the country(sticks). He asked if I could phone a number of local garages to help him out. I was very skeptical that they would, but I rang the garages anyway. As I predicted there was no joy from any garage.

So he decided he would change the tyre himself. He asked me where the spare tyre was located.......

The car had alloys on the wheels and he asked me what to do first. My reply was "I think you have to remove the alloys first". He wanted to know how to do that.....

When he knocked on my door I was hoovering with my new Dyson hoover. He wanted to know what the Dyson was.....I should have known at that point this guy had no clue.

The story has a good ending. He waited until my husband came home to changed the tyre for him.

somefeen · 23-02-2014 10:23pm

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Have boob, will flash.

Have nuts, will tighten

23-02-2014 10:25pm

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Have boob, will flash.

does the other one appear after the wheel is swapped!

Shenshen · 23-02-2014 10:27pm

Yes.

I drive the bloody thing, I consider it my responsibility to fix minor problems myself.

Mint Aero · 23-02-2014 10:30pm

I've done a Fetac level 5 course in tyre changing where I got my degree in tyre changing. Hoping to go back in September to get my Fetac level 6 tyre changing degree where I'll be a fully qualified tyre changer then I hope to start up my own business in tyre changing woop x

somefeen · 23-02-2014 10:33pm

Mint Aero wrote: »

I've done a Fetac level 5 course in tyre changing where I got my degree in tyre changing. Hoping to go back in September to get my Fetac level 6 tyre changing degree where I'll be a fully qualified tyre changer then I hope to start up my own business in tyre changing woop x

A bit like Kwik Fit then

23-02-2014 10:38pm

Mint Aero wrote: »

I've done a Fetac level 5 course in tyre changing where I got my degree in tyre changing. Hoping to go back in September to get my Fetac level 6 tyre changing degree where I'll be a fully qualified tyre changer then I hope to start up my own business in tyre changing woop x

The FETEC level 6 is the one where you have the change an alloy wheel that has been in place for at least two years and was fitted without greasing the hub and a pneumatic hammer set to "Truck Wheel" mode was used to tighten the nuts.

Plus for a bonus marks, the spanner supplied is made of cheap steel that splits when the first nut is attempted!

Mickey H · 23-02-2014 10:40pm

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Have boob, will flash.

I'll be there in 5 minutes. Will you check if you're got a spare in the boot.

Aineoil · 23-02-2014 10:42pm

Mickey H wrote: »

I'll be there in 5 minutes. Will you check if you're got a spare in the boot.

Women don't have spare boobs:D

SamAK · 23-02-2014 10:42pm

mike_ie wrote: »

The first car contained two girls heading up to Sligo for their RAG week, who had no idea how to use anything they had just pulled out of the boot, so they asked if I could help, which I was happy to.

Do you think it'd be rude to instruct them how to do it properly, rather than just changing the wheel for them? Let them actually do the work while guiding them through the process?

What's the bloody point of them not learning for themselves? What if it happens again and there's no knight in shining armor to come and rescue them? Seems like a golden opportunity to learn a new skill. It ain't rocket science. And just being female is no excuse not to learn.

anncoates · 23-02-2014 10:42pm

Yes.

Stavros Murphy · 23-02-2014 10:47pm

I can change one no bother, I can change the damn engine if the mood takes me. On the whole though, there's never a spare, or a jack, or a brace, as someone has taken them to "do somthing else" with. I ring a mate who has a mobile tyre business and try not to look too uninvolved as I drink a coffee and smoke a fag. It goes "on the bill" - dog and barking and all that jazz..

Tokyo · 23-02-2014 10:51pm

SamAK wrote: »

Do you think it'd be rude to instruct them how to do it properly, rather than just changing the wheel for them? Let them actually do the work while guiding them through the process?

What's the bloody point of them not learning for themselves? What if it happens again and there's no knight in shining armor to come and rescue them? Seems like a golden opportunity to learn a new skill. It ain't rocket science. And just being female is no excuse not to learn.

I agree with the sentiment, certainly. One of my close friends, her dad takes her and her sister aside once a year and gets them to each change a wheel in the driveway.

However, in this case - at the side of the main road, in the dark, trucks and cars flying by, not so much. Plus I had my own wheel to change afterwards...

kerry4sam · 23-02-2014 10:59pm

Yes my Loving Dad taught me how to change a wheel. I can only do it with some serious elbow-grease & some time. Don't think that you could say I can change a wheel like a boss, but with a lickle time & some serious elbow grease I can

Thanks,
kerry4sam

SamAK · 23-02-2014 11:01pm

mike_ie wrote: »

However, in this case - at the side of the main road, in the dark, trucks and cars flying by, not so much. Plus I had my own wheel to change afterwards...

Fair point, I didn't think about it being dark

nullzero · 23-02-2014 11:03pm

shopaholic01 wrote: »

Wouldn't have a clue, but I have 24 breakdown assistance on my insurance. Or I'd just flash some boob.

There's no such thing as a free lunch eh?

Stained Class · 23-02-2014 11:05pm

Aineoil wrote: »

I know how to change a tyre, but honestly I am not strong enough to undo the nuts on the wheel. My tyres are put on in the garage and they use a machine to tighten them.

Years ago a guy in lovely suit driving a BMW got a flat tyre just outside my house. I live in the country(sticks). He asked if I could phone a number of local garages to help him out. I was very skeptical that they would, but I rang the garages anyway. As I predicted there was no joy from any garage.

So he decided he would change the tyre himself. He asked me where the spare tyre was located.......

The car had alloys on the wheels and he asked me what to do first. My reply was "I think you have to remove the alloys first". He wanted to know how to do that.....

When he knocked on my door I was hoovering with my new Dyson hoover. He wanted to know what the Dyson was.....I should have known at that point this guy had no clue.

The story has a good ending. He waited until my husband came home to changed the tyre for him.

That's no prob.

Carry a good lump hammer & use it on the wheel-brace if the nuts are tight.

They'll always loosen with a bit of friendly persuasion.

Mars Bar · 23-02-2014 11:06pm

People around South Roscommon and North Galway probably know what road I'm talking about when I say the Bog Road after the Agricultural College in Mountbellew. It's probably the longest, most miserable and remote road in the west of Ireland. It's horrible. I don't know if there's even phone signal out there.

My dad hit a pothole last week out there so had to change his tyre. Thankfully he was able to do so.

We got talking and we were saying what if it was me? I'd be stranded and in a real spot of bother as I don't know how to change a tyre. So that's definitely on my to-do-very-soon list. I need to get one of the things for undoing the nuts on the wheel with your foot. I wouldn't be strong enough by hand.

I can't believe we don't get taught how to do so as part of our driving lessons.

Arthur Beesley · 23-02-2014 11:08pm

Yes. One time I had difficulty getting the jack out of the storage compartment in my last car, other than that not a problem.

whupdedo · 23-02-2014 11:09pm

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Have boob, will flash.

And what happens when you hit middle age and your boobs are tied around your waist, what will you flash then? Money maybe !!!

Mollyd90 · 23-02-2014 11:10pm

yes I'm able.

my boss was trying to help a woman at work change her wheel and wasn't able to loosen the nuts because he was turning it them wrong way. then he started jumping on the wrench making them tighter all 18 or 19 stone of him. god love him he hasn't a clue about diy or the like. they ended up having to call a local callout service.

Mr Cumulonimbus · 23-02-2014 11:12pm

Mr Bean's car ended up needing more than wheel change.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb7qioDBPWM

vamos! · 23-02-2014 11:13pm

Technically, yes. I have changed a few wheels but I couldn't change one recently on my new car. I couln't even find the spare (under the car... who would have looked there!) A friendly man stopped to help. I was so thankful but really embarrassed that I was so helpless.

Kerrigooney · 23-02-2014 11:13pm

Changed 3 last week and still failed the bastard NCT.

Tokyo · 23-02-2014 11:16pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

People around South Roscommon and North Galway probably know what road I'm talking about when I say the Bog Road after the Agricultural College in Mountbellew. It's probably the longest, most miserable and remote road in the west of Ireland. It's horrible. I don't know if there's even phone signal out there.

Think I know it - it heads east out of Mountbellew. 10 miles of nothing, basically...

bnt · 23-02-2014 11:28pm

Done a few, not a problem. Unless the wheels haven't been rotated according to the schedule in the manual, and the rim has seized to the hub, and you have to call the AA guy out with his big soft hammer to bludgeon the wheel loose ...

Capt'n Midnight · 24-02-2014 12:56am

bnt wrote: »

Done a few, not a problem. Unless the wheels haven't been rotated according to the schedule in the manual,

why would you do that unless you wanted to have to fork out for four new tires at the same time ?

bnt · 24-02-2014 1:36am

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

why would you do that unless you wanted to have to fork out for four new tires at the same time ?

You're kidding, right? Rotating tyres reduces uneven wear. So what if you have to buy four at once, if they all last longer overall? If the manufacturer says do it, then do it. If you don't believe me, see Wikipedia, or (even better) read this.

cofy · 24-02-2014 2:21am

Yes. When I bought my first car, my father tooks the keys and would not give them to me until I rotated the wheels. He said I had no business driving a car if I did not know how to deal with a puncture. It slightly backfired on him as the car was parked infront of the family business and the customers called him some choice names for not changing a wheel for his daughter:D:D.

Sir Arthur Daley · 24-02-2014 3:21am

I can change a wheel but my butler does it for me now.

le la rat · 24-02-2014 4:09am

Yep because my Dad invented the wheel

24-02-2014 9:58am

mike_ie wrote: »

Might sounds like a stupid question, but, do you know how to change a wheel on your car?

Yup. I do the whole winter tyres thing. So twice a year I have to change 12 wheels. Not paying someone to do it for me - waste of money - so I just go out twice a year and do my car and the girlfriends cars. Any excuse to get greasey and down a couple of beers while I work.

24-02-2014 8:40pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Yup. I do the whole winter tyres thing. So twice a year I have to change 12 wheels. Not paying someone to do it for me - waste of money - so I just go out twice a year and do my car and the girlfriends cars. Any excuse to get greasey and down a couple of beers while I work.

3 cars?? 2 girlfriends!!
or two six wheeled cars. :pac:

24-02-2014 8:41pm

bnt wrote: »

You're kidding, right? Rotating tyres reduces uneven wear. So what if you have to buy four at once, if they all last longer overall? If the manufacturer says do it, then do it. If you don't believe me, see Wikipedia, or (even better) read this.

Only if the ones that are currently on the back are properly balanced, a lot of people skimp on getting the rear wheels balanced.

BrokenArrows · 24-02-2014 8:50pm

I know how to do it but I was never shown how. The first time I needed to change a car tire I just put 2+2 together and got it done.

The problem is alot of people add 2+2 and get 50. Lol.

SamAK · 24-02-2014 8:52pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

I know how to do it but I was never shown how. The first time I needed to change a car tire I just put 2+2 together and got it done.

The problem is alot of people add 2+2 and get 50. Lol.

Or people jack the car up without cracking the nuts first. Car rocks, car falls of jack, possible crushed foot.

Much LOL.

Mint Sauce · 24-02-2014 9:10pm

Yes I can.

Any car related queries, I go to one of my uncles for. My car once failed the NCT on the CV Boots, went to my uncle to get it checked out, who promptly told me to take the wheel off my self before he took a look, and then again left me to put the wheel back on.

Was the first time I had ever done it, and thankfully have only to do once since.

Have done the odd repair since and prior, inluding a quick fix when my gear linkage broke, losing half the gears when sitting in traffic, and a broken wiper linkage in lashing rain, was enough on both occasions to get the car home and to my mechanic.

Good to know some of the basics, giving you a better understanding of how thething works.

veryangryman · 24-02-2014 9:43pm

I've seen it done and I get the procedure BUT.....

I'm a clumsy guy by nature and my biggest fear is that car could collapse if the Jack slipped or something.

It's the same irrational fear that stopped me learning to drive till I was 23 but I rather leaving risky stuff on my 4 figure machine to the professionals.

Mars Bar · 24-02-2014 9:43pm

mike_ie wrote: »

Think I know it - it heads east out of Mountbellew. 10 miles of nothing, basically...

It'll bring ya to Ballyforan and Dysart from Mountbellow. 10 miles of nothing sums it up alright. Beware of the potholes if you're on that road for what ever reason!

oldyouth · 24-02-2014 9:51pm

Proud moment for me back in the day. Myself & Mrs Oldyouth were invited to the launch of a car (some Renault, I think) in the Burlington hotel. Loads of free gargle and food etc. Part of the evening was a competition where they had a car in the centre and you had to change the front wheel with the back wheel and tighten both up to the correct torque against the clock.

Mrs Oldyouth was the only lady to give it a go and won the thing.

Jurga78 · 24-02-2014 10:04pm

phasers wrote: »

yes, it was the first thing my Dad taught me when I started driving.

mine too, I was 17 yo girl and had to change all 4 wheels 3 times for a lesson with Dad

Can you change a wheel??

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