Autocruise Augusta rear Wheel removal.

[NRC]

Wondering if anyone can assist with this issue.
The Rear Wheels can be easily unbolted from Rear hubs, no problem.
Problem is getting the Wheel/Tyre away from the Wheel Arch.
The Wheel arch is too wide to allow the Wheel/tyre to get passed it.
In the past the Wheel Arches may have been removed and re fixed.
The sealent now looks set hard.
Worried that Arches will be damaged if are attempted to be removed again.
Is anyone aware that the Arch return lip can be narrowed a little?
Would appreciate any kind advice

 

[gus-lopez]

I think you need to jack it up not under the axle but under the chassis. That way the axle with wheels on hangs loose. When you unbolt the wheel you can usually tip it outwards at the bottom so allowing the top to pass between the hub & the bodywork. .Need to be strong though putting it back at that angle. Why they do it God only knows.

you might have to jack it right up using axle on baoth side & then place axle stands under the chassis to get the clearance

 

[icantremember]

Wondering if anyone can assist with this issue.
The Rear Wheels can be easily unbolted from Rear hubs, no problem.
Problem is getting the Wheel/Tyre away from the Wheel Arch.
The Wheel arch is too wide to allow the Wheel/tyre to get passed it.
In the past the Wheel Arches may have been removed and re fixed.
The sealent now looks set hard.
Worried that Arches will be damaged if are attempted to be removed again.
Is anyone aware that the Arch return lip can be narrowed a little?
Would appreciate any kind advice

No problem!

Problem!

 

[bigwood]

Not the same motorhome but the tyre fitter that changed the tyres on the drive struggled with the back on our Rienza. I lent him some wooden blocks I keep in the locker. His jack wouldn’t lift the body high enough for the wheels to clear the wheel arches with his air jack. He also borrowed my trolley jack to put under the axle as a safety measure.
Talking to him afterwards he did say he had struggled before with motorhomes but wasn’t allowed to carry jacking blocks for safety reasons. He couldn’t have a high lift jack because he wasnt a HGV tyre fitter.
I wouldnt want to tackle a rear wheel change at the roadside.
The issued Ford scissor jack feels like it’s struggling to lift the front, I tried it. Rather than carry a heavy trolley jack I make sure I have breakdown cover.

 

[peterc10]

No problem!
View attachment 385784
View attachment 385785

Problem!
View attachment 385786

That was the most expensive nail you have ever acquired Brian

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[Taran_Las]

I used two jacks. One to lift the axle and one to lift the body thereby allowing wheel removal.

 

[busby]

I always drive the wheel i am changing onto a block first. This saves a bit of jacking..Some of these wheel arches are stupid..BUSBY.

 

[icantremember]

That was the most expensive nail you have ever acquired Brian

Some ba$tard gave me the nail for free but as the tyre wasn't repairable, the remainder of the journey to Devon was nerve wracking all the time expecting to pick-up another puncture with no spare.?

 

[NRC]

Dear all.
Thanks for all replies.
Appreciate your help with this.
My real worry is how I would cope with a puncture situation on a cold wet day at the roadside.
Sure Diamond Dave (of L.V.S. Telford) posted something a while back about this issue somewhere.
Will give it another go at home now on drive.
If I jack up under Chassis until Tyre off ground and then jack between the Axle and Chassis may give me a little more room perhaps?
Will give it a go anyway.
Thanks all again, very much appreciated.

 

[bigwood]

From my experience of working at the roadside with all the right safety gear and equipment I wouldn’t want to tackle a wheel change at the roadside any more. As I said I now rely on the breakdown services doing it for me.
For the cost of a years membership and maybe waiting for them to arrive is better than risking trying to change the wheel yourself on a busy road, as you said, in the rain or in the dark. The thought of the jack slipping is frightening. The weight of a car will hurt you never mind the weight of a motorhome.

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[NRC]

Dear all,

Thanks for all replies.
We have breakdown cover would of course be reluctant to attempt change of Rear Tyre especially roadside.
My worry was how these rear Wheels can be manoeuvred off hub and around the Wheel Arch.
I have tried twice at home on the drive under no pressure and could not do it.
My Wife told me to leave alone as the professionals (emergency breakdown service) will know how to do it.
"The Tyre will be flat anyway, and they will have to get us back on the road".
Surely it should not be that difficult to remove a Rear Wheel.
What the Wife said suddenly made me think, let the air out of the Tyre, then see if with a flexible Tyre Wall it can be eased out from the Wheel Arch.
Jacked up Motorhome again (evenly), 2 Trolley Jacks, placed Axle Stand under Chassis Axle Bracket.
Have to admit it worked with care.
A bit of a faf but it can be done.
Would have to deflate the Spare first get it in place, then inflate.
I'm on Lockdown and bored, it was something to do this morning.

 

[icantremember]

Dear all,

Thanks for all replies.
We have breakdown cover would of course be reluctant to attempt change of Rear Tyre especially roadside.
My worry was how these rear Wheels can be manoeuvred off hub and around the Wheel Arch.
I have tried twice at home on the drive under no pressure and could not do it.
My Wife told me to leave alone as the professionals (emergency breakdown service) will know how to do it.
"The Tyre will be flat anyway, and they will have to get us back on the road".
Surely it should not be that difficult to remove a Rear Wheel.
What the Wife said suddenly made me think, let the air out of the Tyre, then see if with a flexible Tyre Wall it can be eased out from the Wheel Arch.
Jacked up Motorhome again (evenly), 2 Trolley Jacks, placed Axle Stand under Chassis Axle Bracket.
Have to admit it worked with care.
A bit of a faf but it can be done.
Would have to deflate the Spare first get it in place, then inflate.
I'm on Lockdown and bored, it was something to do this morning.

I'm glad you finally managed the job, but still surprised as we had the rear wheels off our Augusta many times without any problem over the 6+ years of ownership.

 

[Campervan_man]

I have seen a few { 3 or 4 } Autocruise Motorhomes with floor level water ingress / damp. The side skirts are held on by hidden long screws. The rain gets behind the side skirts and tracks along the screws in to the wall of the van at floor level causing damp to lower walls and floor.
If I owned an Autocruise I would take off the side skirts, remove the screws and refit using sealant. I would then run a bead of sealant on top of the skirts to stop rain water getting behind the skirts.
If you open the side door lockers and press firmly on the inner boards they may feel spongy / soft compared to the inner wall board higher up.