Jay Levitt

So I finally moved into my new place, which means my stuff finally came out of storage, which means I can finally put summer tires on, now that it's July, which is especially good because one of my winter tires was leaking.

I did the first tire, no problem. I started on the second tire, and SNNNNAP! That little plastic pseudo-lug-bolt that Audi gives you to make tire-changing easier snapped off. Most of it's in my hand, and a quarter-inch of it is in the.. erm.. the disc on the end of the axle that a wheel is mounted on, whatever you call it.

I'm going to have the dealer drill it out for me, of course. But changing that one and the next two without the tool made me realize what a pain it really is to line up the wheel without it. Does anyone make a stronger version? Nobody's ever heard of such a tool - even the two Audi dealers I called didn't know it existed.

Any ideas?

Taner Halicioglu

I, too, have no idea what you're talking about

I just use a breaker bar, impact wrench, and torque wrench to change tires

-T

Warren Wang

Obviously you need to use a seriously small amount of glue. If not, you'll just complicate matters.

I don't bother with that peg anymore. I snapped one in my A4, but now I'm pretty good at lining it up. If you want a super nice replacement, you can get one from Ultimate Garage. Or you can make one yourself from a trip to the hardware store.

Warren<ul><li><a href="http://www.ultimategarage.com/whlhgr.html">Wheel hanger</a></li></ul>

Bubba-San®

Seriously, just line up the rotor and hub, set the tire on the hub as close as possible to lined up. Use your toe to hold in the bottom of the tire. Rotate slowly until it lines up. Use a socket extender with the lug bolt to insert the first one and you are good to go.

I have done it many times - never used the tool.

Dank

That you screw into one of the bolt holes and use to align the wheel. You slide the wheel over that post and it holds the wheel in place until you get the first bolt in.

wmv

Its called a Baily bar, dealer can order an extra or geta steel bolt with correct length and thread

zerinS4

I learn something new every day.

steved

<center><img src="http://www.ultimategarage.com/WheelHgr1.JPG"></center><p>I'll drop the price on the tool to $15.00 for any list members for today and tomorrow (regular price is $24.95). This is the guide tool Audi should have provided in the tool kit, not the plastic one. SD<ul><li><a href="http://www.ultimategarage.com/whlhgr.html">http://www.ultimategarage.com/whlhgr.html</a</li></ul>

JRS4

I have to keep it for when my car is a collectible, though. ;-)

Get a threaded bolt of the correct size. It will be much more robust. I would grind off the threads where the wheel slides over it so you don't chew up the bolt hole. A shoulder screw with the head cut off would be even better.

DrewT

I just put a sharp knife in there cut into the plastic alittle and unscrewed it. Worked like a charm