Wheel alignment pin

[Ukdave2002]

In anticipation of our first trip I’m in the process of putting together a tool kit to be kept in the caravan. Being a restorer of cars my first list covered tools that would have been fit to build a caravan from scratch! So I'm in the process of whittling the list down to something more practical (and lighter) !

One tool that will remain on the list may be unfamiliar to some of you is a “wheel alignment pin” Now if you have ever changed a wheel that has bolts rather than nuts (most Alko axles seem to have bolts) you will appreciate that it can be tricky to hold the wheel in the right place, whilst supporting its weight and trying to get at least one stud in, you really need 3 hands and be at eye level with the wheel.

A wheel alignment pin is simply a long stud that screws in to the hub, meaning that you can quickly and with a lot less effort get the wheel fitted, hanging on the pin, whilst you put the other wheel bolts back, they only cost a couple of quid, a godsend when changing a wheel on you own.

 

[Hutch]

I carry a small Snap on toolbox in the car with spanners and sockets up to 15 mm, pliers etc, and another small box with other items such as spare water pipes connectors fuses, junior hacksaw, soldering iron, solder.
Of course the tool I will need is the one back in a tool box at home.
Edit, I wish I had disc brakes on my caravan.

 

[GaryB]

Yep, got two of those alignment pins now. It's worse with the Alko hubs as the wheel doesn't even centre on the middle of the hub like it does on some cars.

 

[Ukdave2002]

Yep, got two of those alignment pins now. It's worse with the Alko hubs as the wheel doesn't even centre on the middle of the hub like it does on some cars.

Agree, at least on a car the wheel can be centred and supported on the hub.
The pic I used in the original post is not a caravan with disc brakes! I lifted it from the web to illustrate the pin, rather than take a wheel off our van!

 

[GaryB]

Agree, at least on a car the wheel can be centred and supported on the hub.
The pic I used in the original post is not a caravan with disc brakes! I lifted it from the web to illustrate the pin, rather than take a wheel off our van!

I thought you'd upgraded it to the point where it's stop quicker than the car!

 

[Lutz]

I thought you'd upgraded it to the point where it's stop quicker than the car!

Disc brakes don't have any better braking performance than drum brakes in the dry. They do suffer less from brake fade, though.

 

[RogerL]

VW Touaregs get a wheel alignment pin in the tool kit - it does help to get the wheels fitted although my tyre fitter who does the regular rotation for me does just fine without - I must check to see if the thread will fit the caravan hub.

 

[Buckman]

VW Touaregs get a wheel alignment pin in the tool kit - it does help to get the wheels fitted although my tyre fitter who does the regular rotation for me does just fine without - I must check to see if the thread will fit the caravan hub.

A lot easier to call out the breakdown to do the wheel change. Saves a lot of hassle.

 

[Hutch]

A lot easier to call out the breakdown to do the wheel change. Saves a lot of hassle.

I would rather just do it myself , but I am fit enough to do the wheel change.

 

[Ukdave2002]

A lot easier to call out the breakdown to do the wheel change. Saves a lot of hassle.

I may be old school, but I'd be embarrassed to call a breakdown service to change a wheel !

 

[otherclive]

I may be old school, but I'd be embarrassed to call a breakdown service to change a wheel !

But what if you don’t have the physical capability to change a wheel yourself?

 

[Mr Grumpy]

But what if you don’t have the physical capability to change a wheel yourself?

Different kettle of fish altogether!!
Bottom line you do whatever is necessary to get the job sorted 😎

 

[Buckman]

I may be old school, but I'd be embarrassed to call a breakdown service to change a wheel !

I used to be old school even fixing my own cars, but not possible now. Anyway what is embarrassing about using a breakdown servcie even if fit and healthy as you have paid them a premium to do that and it keeps someone employed?

I can understand doing it at home, but is it safe to do so on our streets when it seems some drivers have tunnel vision coupled with a heavy right foot?

 

[GaryB]

The issue (for me) is that the waiting time for some breakdowns can see you stranded (potentially in a high-risk position) for some considerable time. Personally I go the DIY route to save time but as said, we all have different capabilities.

 

[Buckman]

The issue (for me) is that the waiting time for some breakdowns can see you stranded (potentially in a high-risk position) for some considerable time. Personally I go the DIY route to save time but as said, we all have different capabilities.

Although not illegal, it is not recommended to change a wheel on a motorway plus there is a the possibility of a fine.

 

[GaryB]

Although not illegal, it is not recommended to change a wheel on a motorway plus there is a the possibility of a fine.

Agreed, the hard shoulder is one place that scares me to death, I have seen too many HGV's veering into it and cars using it to undertake over the years for it to be anything other than a death-trap!

 

[Beachball]

if i need a wheel changing either on a road or motorway i would call breakdown service not much choice when you have mobility issues

 

[Paullus1959]

In anticipation of our first trip I’m in the process of putting together a tool kit to be kept in the caravan. Being a restorer of cars my first list covered tools that would have been fit to build a caravan from scratch! So I'm in the process of whittling the list down to something more practical (and lighter) !

One tool that will remain on the list may be unfamiliar to some of you is a “wheel alignment pin” Now if you have ever changed a wheel that has bolts rather than nuts (most Alko axles seem to have bolts) you will appreciate that it can be tricky to hold the wheel in the right place, whilst supporting its weight and trying to get at least one stud in, you really need 3 hands and be at eye level with the wheel.

A wheel alignment pin is simply a long stud that screws in to the hub, meaning that you can quickly and with a lot less effort get the wheel fitted, hanging on the pin, whilst you put the other wheel bolts back, they only cost a couple of quid, a godsend when changing a wheel on you own.


View attachment 5246

Thanks for posting this. I recently replaced the front brake pads on my KIA Sorento which has 19" alloy wheels. The worst part of the job was trying to refit the wheels while kneeling on the ground because they are so incredibly heavy.
Where did you buy yours from?