How the heck to get wheels off?

[Badunit]

Okay, it's a rookie question. I have a flat on a rear tire and for the life of me can't get the danged wheel off the truck (aluminum rims). I've tried backing off the lug nuts and moving the truck back and forth under power but so far no luck. I'm mostly worried about screwing up the rim with this method so I haven't taken it to any extremes yet. What do you recommend?

 

[Midnight]

If you can get it to air up, fill it up ,remove all lug nuts but one. Leave it on just a few threads and hit the back of the tire with a 2x4. This should get it loose. Be sure and use anti-sieze on the hub when reinstalling. Good luck.



Mike.

 

[bighammer]

I'm guessing the center hole is hung up on some rust. Get a big hammer and hammer on backside of the tire as you rotate it. A penetrating oil around the center might help too.

 

[krabman]

I just left on a few lugnuts slightly loose and lowered it down till the trucks weight broke it loose then jacked it back up.

 

[bmoeller]

It most likely isn't rust that is the problem. It is the aluminum oxidizing and reacting with the steel on the hub.



Using the hammer alone CAN work, but not always. I have started to use Pepsi. Sounds crazy, but it works GREAT! The acid in it eats the oxidation. I put it in an old Windex bottle and sprayed it on heavy. Let it sit for about 10 mins, then take the hammer to it. Hasn't failed me yet, and won't hurt the rim.



Tried it after having killed an hour trying to beat 1 semi wheel off with a sledge. After using it, I got the other 7 off in 15-20 min.



Before putting the wheel back on, clean the rim and hub up with a wire wheel, and as suggested before, use plenty of anti-seize.

 

[CIverson]

In the past I jack up the truck take all of the lug nuts off, then take the spare tire and use it as a battering ram to hit the lowest portion of the tire or rim to break it loose.

 

[JHardwick]

A simple propane torch will do the job without any beating. The coefficient of expansion in aluminum is high.

 

[Badunit]

Thanks for the help. Oil, patience, and a big hammer did the trick. Rust/corrosion at the hub was the culprit, I've just never had one be such a bear to get loose before. I will most definitely clean it all up and slather on the anti-sieze before I put it back together.

 

[Hunter1]

I have watched Les Schwab tire guys rotate my tires 3 times now and the aluminum rims always hang up. They just back up and give it a swift kick or two and it falls right off.



Just gotta aim the old foot just right



Hunter1

 

[dmurdock]

Here's the tried and true way (i learned from this board btw). Loosen the lug nuts, jack the truck up, rev it up to 20-30 mph and slam on the breaks. Works like a champ and no chance of missing the target with a hammer/bar/etc...

 

[JHardwick]

I want to hear the explanation you give your insurance company on how your truck got from the garage to the family room :-laf :-laf :-laf