Rock Wedged Between Dual Tires

[Rokrover]

Someone mentioned this hazard earlier in the forum but I dismissed it as an unlikely occurrence. Well, sure enough we suffered such an ignominious mishap on our latest excursion into the boonies.

A convergence of enabling circumstances wedged the most fiendish rock inside our rear dually: 1) we were fording a stream maybe 15” deep; 2) hence the rock was submerged and invisible; 3) it was wet and lubricated with slime; 4) the rock was an ideal wedge shape; and 5) I unwittingly forced the rock level level with the outer tread by driving several wheel rotations before a telltale thump-thump-thump alerted me to stop and check for something amiss.

Inspection revealed the problem at once, as shown in the pictures. My first hopeful attempt at removal with a pry bar proved useless. I should have done the math to figure out there was at least 300 pounds pressure clamping the rock on either side.

Of course my wife suggested I remove the outer tire but I was procrastinating as we were on a narrow dirt road with little room to pull over and comfortably work. At least I tried one more time with the pry bar after driving the inner tire up on a ramp to suspend the outer tire but no, it was time to bust out the factory jack.

The leaf spring shackle was the most accessible jacking point but then the jack maxed out as the spring relaxed before both tires lifted! Finally I loosened the 8 lug nuts regardless only to realize the rim was jammed on the studs after the rock forced it sideways!! The photo shows the angle I had to pound the rim out from before the offending article could be dislodged by hand.

The sidewalls still look OK so I hope there is no hidden tire damage. In retrospect, I should have anticipated my companion Mr. Murphy would be on hand to ensure the repair would not proceed smoothly.

[chin_k]

Wow, how did that managed to wedged in there?

Do you have a compressor on board? Will it be more practical to bleed out the air, pull the rock out, and reinflate the tire?

[Blue~Go]

Well that'll teach you to dismiss it (Don't we all give in to that temptation from time to time.)

I have seen it happen to a buddy once, and heard of it happening to another friend. And all three of us boondock quite a bit. (I think we managed to pry the buddy's one out, but it's been years and I forget.) So while possible not TOO common.

I was wondering the same about whether it would be possible to deflate one tire then re-inflate, as an alternative.

[68camaro]

Forest Firefighters have a method for getting these out, it has to do with laying out tow strap, wrapping around rock and backing over it, see vide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U8GAn0XtdM

[chin_k]

I remember seeing that video a long while ago, but I would not do this to my rig unless I am really desperate for time. Maybe it is fine with a work truck that my boss owns, or if the tires are 10 yrs old, but I would be more careful with mine. You never know how sharp the rock is. Sandstone, yes, go ahead. I heard someone once have a pair of nail clippers that got between tires, and I would think that will not be the right method to get it out.