Wheels stuck on

[Ste]

Trying to change to my winter set and struggling getting the wheels off.

Jacked it up with all nuts removed but its like the wheels are fused onto the axle hub. First one came away with a bit of rocking and bashing but the second one I'm on just refused too budge despite lashings of WD40 and plenty of playing around with it.

Any ideas?

 

[Taz]

try put it back on its wheels, loosen the wheel nuts and drive a yard, 1 wheel at at time

 

[KERMIT1970]

Slacking the wheel bolts a little & drive the car back & forth,should break the seal.if not block of wood & mallet from the inside rim. Also you could try kicking the wheels from side to side sometimes that works. Some copper slip on the new ones

 

[-Tom-]

I did it today whilst swapping onto CSLs (yes I'm probably stupid, ibshouod be patient and stick with old wheels for winter). Anyhow, mine were the same, worse than I've come across. Get someone to hold them so they don't drop and give them a really really good boot at the top!

If no joy ... With the bolts in but loosened just a little roll the car forwards a bit.

 

[Taz]

and ye as Kermit says, use copper slip on the new wheels

 

[Ste]

Cheers all. Tried some of the aforementioned booting the rim etc to no avail. So if I loosten all the bolts on one wheel and just nudge forward a few feet that should loosen it?

 

[-Tom-]

It should do Ste, just make sure you still leave plenty of thread into the hub :-s

 

[Taz]

especially on the front if you have a bit of lock on

 

[Ewazix]

Cheers all. Tried some of the aforementioned booting the rim etc to no avail. So if I loosten all the bolts on one wheel and just nudge forward a few feet that should loosen it?

Yep, makes a hell of a bang when it separates but it will be fine so long as you have put the bolts back in but just slightly loose. Just don't forget to put those bolts in

 

[Ste]

So just very slightly looser than normal then?

 

[-Tom-]

Yes .. So the bolts are still retaining the wheels but allowing say mm or two of play laterally ...

 

[Toe-side]

Or try this with wheel bolts slack...... Kick out with either foot one side at a time ... Car jacked up though!

 

[srhutch]

Or try this with wheel bolts slack...... Kick out with either foot one side at a time ... Car jacked up though!

Not so easy with 18/19" rims. Risk of damage is higher.

 

[igeak691]

I used a blow torch for about a minute, after taking off the center cap. Came off easy after that.

 

[Longtallhowie]

Be careful with the WD40, don't get it on the brakes

 

[Spikey]

Having just done my front brakes I can sympathise with the problem

Well placed hard kick with trainers on worked for me ( after four or five attempts!)

Would probably recommend the loose bolt drive forward method ....limping!

 

[Stratts]

Had a similar issue with mine on Monday, made worse by the fact I was doing the front wishbone bushes and the wheel moved everywhere. It's easier on the back wheels as they should be more solid.

I found the PO had put grease on the hubs, which is crazy. I whacked one of my wheels with a rubber mallet for about five minutes all round the rim and tyre before it came loose. If you have used WD40 (other brands are available), make sure you clean the brake disc with brake cleaner.

Make life easy for yourself in future, give the hub and the inside of the wheel a good clean up and then use copper grease on both surfaces, you'll not have any issues again.

 

[*ALZ*]

Just use a nylon mallet to the inside of the rim, it doesn't damage it. Hit it then rotate the wheel 90 degrees the hit it again. Repeat this until it comes off. this always works.

 

[Toe-side]

Or try this with wheel bolts slack...... Kick out with either foot one side at a time ... Car jacked up though!

Not so easy with 18/19" rims. Risk of damage is higher.

Its actually easier with 18/19" rims as the distance from the fulcrum is greater (for the non flexing component). Greater leverage. Mechanical advatage is increased
Risk of damage is lowered as force is spread across a greater surface area (the foot) and by using rubber soled boots.
Works On VW T5 transporter van with 20" 5 spoke alloys

 

[Bazoz4]

Hi Ste...its only sitting on a quarter inch ledge can't believe how tight they can seize, I jacked mine up, after loosening bolts two rotations and smacked inside of wheel with rubber mallet turning wheel a bit after each crack, clean off hub ledge and brush with copper slip, shouldn't happen again.
Good luck Baz