Attempting to change a flat tire with tight wheel nuts
Whilst on my way to work, I experienced a flat tire. I first noticed the steering become heavy and the steering wheel began to wobble, as did the rest of the car. I pulled over when it was safe to do so, and got out to see what the problem was! I had a flat tire (we Danes call that problem Fladt dæk på din bil) on the passenger side front wheel. It is not my first time of experiencing a flat tire, nor will it probably be the last time I have had to change a car wheel. I have had in excess of four flat tires, in as many months and attribute this to the big pot holes in the roads.
I have to retrieve the jack and wheel brace from the boot, however firstly I must empty all my boxes and brochures I use for my work, only then, can I access what I need to change the flat tire. With the boot empty and the jack and wheel brace in hand, I went to the front of the car and located a small indent in the floor sill, where the jacking point is. I am to take up the slack but not jack up the car until I have loosened the five wheel nuts. I got three loose but two remained tight, and I was unable to do anything about it! A guy stopped and offered his assistance but alas, he could not even move the remaining wheel nuts, I was stuck.
A lorry driver pulled into the lay by and parked in front of me. I asked if he could help and once he had seen the problem he disappeared and came back with a long scaffold bar. He slipped it over the short handle of the wheel brace, and stood on the end. The wheel nuts became loose but not without a fight and a loud screeching noise. With the wheel nuts now free and removed, I lifted the flat tire off and placed it on the grass next to my car. I went straight to the boot and retrieved the spear wheel.
As I placed the inflated tire on the wheel studs, I noticed my front brake pads were so low the metal was scored and the pad was totally finished. I would have to have new pads and discs fitted later in the day. I started to re-fit the tire, five wheel nuts were fitted as tightly as I could, and then I lowered the car to the ground. I tightened the five wheel nuts a little more until I was sure they would be okay. After having replaced everything in my boot, I drove straight to the garage next to my work place.
The garage had to replace the flat tire with a brand new one and fit new pads and discs on both sides. I also asked them to loosen all the wheel nuts and apply some copper grease and tighten them so they can be removed on the road side.
I somehow managed to pull this off, but if you want to be sure you can find a solution to your problem at all times, you should contact auto assistance (or Autohjælp i hele Europa as we say in Denmark) and make a subscription as soon as you can.
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