Tools to keep close at hand...

Post by **Atticus** » February 27th, 2007, 10:37 pm

Okay after wrastlin' with the trailer hub on Sunday I would recommend everyone who plans on maybe changing out a spindle or hub with a castle nut in it keep a pair of toothless (non-marring) arc joint pliers (at least 9 inches) handy. That castle nut isn't going anywhere fast and mine was 1.75" outside - bigger than your average adjustable wrench you might have in a truck toolbox.

Also a pair of good needle nosed pliers (not your fishing pliers

) for cotter pins, locking washers and such.

And a rubber mallet for tapping on/off dust caps or seals.

I had a piece of old 4X4 which worked out great as a base for my hydraulic jack as well. I have loaded all of this stuff for permanent truck toolbox duty from now on.

Anyone else got recommendations... ???

Post by **RodBow** » February 27th, 2007, 10:53 pm

Sumatra Boy, IMHO you've got the most of what to have - and that's experience!
No greater tool.

Post by **wevans** » February 28th, 2007, 7:20 am

A pair of 12" pliers will do all of it "except jack it up" in a pinch

and if you don't have a jack, lowering the front "with the trailer jack" and placing something under the rear,the raising the front with the jack will lift the tire off the ground

this I know to be truth

grim reeler · Post by **grim reeler** » February 28th, 2007, 2:03 pm

A good long, heavy punch is always nice to have for removing races or even a bearing if you manage to spinning it or destroy it on the hub

. Much better than leaving screw driver gouges on the inside of the wheel.

A good leatherman multitool is always nice to have. I also like to keep a cheap set of metric and standard sockets in the toolbox.