Crazy Night Changing One Wheel

Last night around 3 pm a call came in from Joas saying that he had a flat tire and the wrench broke. Willy, Carter, and I took off with tools in tow. When we got there (about 30-45 mins away), we found that they had removed all but one. We started to work on it and got nowhere. We eventually broke the 3/4 inch wrench with the 1 1/2 socket. The usual wrench used by most people in most sets is a 3/8 inch - this is 3/4... BIG...and now broke.


We went back for a couple more wrenches and some PB Blaster penetrating fluid. We got there (again) and started working. The last thing we tried was to use the truck to turn the wrench by putting a pipe on the wrench and driving forward to turn the nut. It didn't work. First, it rounded the nut pretty good. Then, it broke the second wrench. Since we were down to the last wrench, it was time to get serious. We headed back to get the torch (propane and oxygen) to cut the nut and lug off (we needed one good wrench to put the new wheel on and the good lug nuts).

By this time it was about 6:30pm and it was looking like rain before it got dark (out here - dark is DARK). We managed to cut the nut and lug off and put the new wheel on before it started raining.

Before they left for their trip, I suggested that they buy new tires in the front. It was decided not to buy new tires before they left. Once again, we got our money's worth out of the tires. Here is the one that didn't go flat:


I was very thankful to have city power so I could take a shower when we got to the house around 8 pm.