Topic: Wheels seized to the hubs. How to remove?

[eddie_82]

Anyone have any tips on removing wheels that are seized to the hubs?

I havent're moved the wheels from my beater in over 2 years, and now that I try, well, they won't break loose from the hubs. I've gone at them with a load of WD40 and a big hammer and they still won't budge.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[mrthompson]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago with my wife's car.  I didn't have anything on hand to budge the wheel.  So I put the lug nuts back on, lowered the jack, and took the car to *sigh* Walmart.  Charged me $5 to knock the stuck wheel off and mount the new wheel.

If you have a 2x4 (or other lumber) on hand, try the following:  leave one lug nut partially threaded on one of the studs, and holding on to one end of the 2x4, give the wheel a smack from the back side.

[Railton]

Mrthompson's got the right idea although I've also had sucess with lowering the tire to the ground with the nuts backed off a bit. Usually works just fine.
Railton
(Back from the land where a black Chicken head in your soup is lucky?)

[mrthompson]

You didn't eat a beating cobra's heart like Anthony Bordain of the TV show "A Cook's Tour" did you?  Supposed to make you strong. Uh, sure. That was during one of his visits to Vietnam.    

That's a good idea, Railton.

[articsteve]

You need to use a long handled sledge hammer.

[ericthejet]

My trick is to back all the lug nuts off just a wee bit and lower the car to the ground so that there is no weight on the jack.  I then rock the car from right to left to stress the hub.  It usually works just fine.  You can also try turning the steering wheel but I think this is more risky.  Myopin.

[safristi]

Eatin' a Cobra's heart..you just HAD a V8 ..!!!! a long handled sledge hammer is a MUST..Yummy..what a load of TRIPE..howd ya STOMACH the Zoological Sushi..bet their marinades would release a seized Caterpillar Track.....

[ktm525]

My method is as follows: With the wheel in the air (jack) add a second jack stand, log, etc under the frame rail, this is in case the car falls off of the jack. 2) I sit on my ass facing the tire and kick one side of the tire with my heel, it helps to wear sturdy boots. It has worked for me every time. The key is to kick with a fast quick motion rather than pushing on the tire with your foot (increased chance of car coming off jack). BE careful! Never put your feet under the car etc. Actually the method of dropping the wheel back to the ground san lug nuts sounds like a safer option.

[barrie1]

One of the things I always do when the wheel is off is put anti-seize on the threads and a bit on the backing of each wheel as well. I always torque the wheels by hand except to run the wheelnuts up in the beginning. I'll nip them up with the airgun. The anti-sieze and the torque are the 2 most important parts to this.

[brian]

Good advice Barrie.  As I replaced parts on my suspension and brakes, I quickly decided that anti-sieze applied to metal on metal wherever I could safely put it was decidedly a GOOD thing.

[ck2y]

Folks, I've been trying to find some anti-seize without luck.  I went to my local CanTire but couldn't find it.  Is it on the shelf in the auto section, or do I need to ask for it in the part section?

Thanks

[mrthompson]

I've seen Permatex brand anti-seize sold at Crappy Tire in the automotive section.  An auto parts store would be an alternate source.

[brian]

Should be pretty common.  In Canadian Tire it should be in a grey jar sold with the gasket sealers, auto adhesives, threadlocker and other stuff sold by Permatex.  $9 I think.

You could also buy this crayon of similar stuff made for smearing on spark plug threads and use that too.  Same section.