Tools for a WDH
05-09-2017, 10:21 AM
#11
Senior Member
I just bought a 3/4" x 3' breaker bar when I had to replace the steering box on my TJ. I don't trust the 250 ftlb spec on the discount torque wrench I bought so wanted to make sure it was tight.
Honestly, for the amount of time you'll need to do it, it might be best to just have an RV shop or someone do it and pay them the $50 or whatever they'd charge for the 10 minutes it would take, BUT I'd also want a large breaker bar or something to check tightness the odd time.
Honestly, for the amount of time you'll need to do it, it might be best to just have an RV shop or someone do it and pay them the $50 or whatever they'd charge for the 10 minutes it would take, BUT I'd also want a large breaker bar or something to check tightness the odd time.
05-09-2017, 04:39 PM
#12
DIY with a bathroom scale
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but I ran into a similar situation on a axle I was building. It called for 600 ft.lb's. Solution was to use a 3/4'' breaker bar (1/2'' should work), a length of pipe, and bathroom scale. At the time I weighed 220lbs, so I set up breaker on the fitting, measured out 6ft on the pipe, stood on the scale, and pressed down on 6ft mark until I had removed 100lbs off indicated scale weight. Force on pipe measurement will be from center of socket to mark on pipe.
I just did the same thing with a hitch. Remove the hitch, rotate 90 degrees, and re-insert into receiver to hold it. Use the method above to get your torque. 250 ft.lbs would be 2.5', 450 ft.lb would be 4.5', you get the idea!
Chan
I just did the same thing with a hitch. Remove the hitch, rotate 90 degrees, and re-insert into receiver to hold it. Use the method above to get your torque. 250 ft.lbs would be 2.5', 450 ft.lb would be 4.5', you get the idea!
Chan
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ngrigoriev (05-11-2017)
05-11-2017, 01:02 PM
#13
Junior Member
Resurrecting the old thread. I have bought a WD hitch with the 2 5/16" ball already mounted on it. I have the 2" ball of the appropriate size. Now...the problem with replacing it. Clearly, I do not have the tools for that, never had to deal with 1-7/8" nuts and the torque in order of 450 ft-lb 
I think I could use some help. What would be my best bet? A local garage or a random nearby RV dealer?
When doing this, is it safe to keep the hitch installed on the truck or it absolutely needs to be removed?
Thanks!
I think I could use some help. What would be my best bet? A local garage or a random nearby RV dealer?When doing this, is it safe to keep the hitch installed on the truck or it absolutely needs to be removed?
Thanks!
Handed the guy who did the work 20 bucks on the way out.
05-11-2017, 01:20 PM
#14
Senior Member
And, in fact, it may give the torque accurate enough without the torque wrench. Most of the people I talked about were recommending to "just torque it with the pipe wrench, never seen the ***** to fall off the hitch mount". Why I am not surprised....never seen a garage yet where the guys would use a torque wrench on the wheels. Many of them believe that "one size fits all" and use the same pneumatic tool on the trucks and Toyota Echos 
05-11-2017, 02:33 PM
#15
Get a 4' cheater pipe and slide it over your breaker bar's handle. Apply 100 lbs of force to the cheater pipe at it's end and you are at 400 ft lbs of torque or close enough!
