Posted: 2/26/2009 5:49:10 PM EDT
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I have an '03 4Runner with alloy wheels and I thought hell, why pay them to rotate my tires when I can do it myself. I've done it before, a good kick to the tires broke whatever was holding the lugs to the wheel free.
I've tried three times to jack it up, kick tire, hit back of wheel hard with 5 lb. sledge numerous times (with plywood board as cushion), try to wrestle wheel back and forth to no avail. Take lug nuts off and put penetrating oil in? Use a quasi gear/steering wheel puller? Heat it? If I get it off should I use some sort of anti-seize on it around the contact area? I'm really at wit's end with this, I've done it so many times in the past, a five wheel rotation in about an hour. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
| Hit it harder, and yes use anti seize. I'm a BMW tech and their wheels can get VERY stuck if they have not been removed in a long time. A giant pry bar has been used once or twice. If you have something like that, try to find a place on the suspension to get the pry bar against and pry on the wheel. If you can get someone else to give em a whack while doing this you should get them off. |
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Back in my tire shop days there were very few wheels I couldn't kick off of a vehicle. If I was unsuccessful I would beat it with the "wheel wacker" which was a Klein tools hammer specifically made for that job. It would take up to 1 hour of swinging for the fences at times. It is much easier to pop them off from the back side, which it sounds like you already know. Safety first, but jacking the vehicle up as high as possible so you can lay under there and get a really good swing is the key. |
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Quoted: Thanks guys, I guess beating the shit out of it and leverage is the solution. I may try spraying some penetrating oil or WD40 mindful of discs while on jack stands in the lug/wheel area if I fail AGAIN! Leave it overnight. Just duche it with the WD, or JB and spray some brake cleaner on it later. I've never had that work before, but I haven't had all night, or even all day to let it sit either. |
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Hit the inner edge of the wheel rim with a large deadblow hammer. Rotate the wheel and repeat.
I have never tried this but have had techs tell me they did it. Loosen the lug nuts a turn and drive slowly around the block. The side load on the wheels should break the wheels loose. Do this carefully and at your own risk! |