Tool for mounting and removing wheel lug bolts from vehicle wheel hubs

Abstract

A vehicle wheel hub lug bolt removal and installation tool and process for installing and removing wheel hub lugs is described. The tool and process are utilized to install and remove lug bolts to and from a wheel hub having a thickness dimension and spaced axially from a brake linkage on a vehicle. The tool may include a ram cylinder having a cylinder body and a piston rod movable along an operational axis. A wheel lug pad is releasably mounted to the piston and moves therewith along the operational axis. A rigid elongated tubular frame including an abutment surface at one end and a ram cylinder mounting surface releasably mount the ram cylinder with the piston rod positioned such that the operational axis intersects the abutment surface. The abutment surface includes a thickness dimension along the operational axis that is sufficient to permit insertion of the abutment surface between a wheel hub and brake assembly of a vehicle. A wheel hub receiving recess is formed by the frame between the abutment surface and wheel lug pad.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.