Wheel stuck!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Wheel stuck!
I was doing some work on the Vette and needed to remove the front stock aluminum wheels for better access. I have never tried to take em off before and the first one came off just fine but the second one wouldn't budge! Tried pulling, pounding, tapping, and lots of other stuff but it wouldn't move at all! Almost seems like its rusted on. I thought about spraying WD40 between the back of the wheel and the hub. Any thoughts on what to do to get it off would be appreciated. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
I was doing some work on the Vette and needed to remove the front stock aluminum wheels for better access. I have never tried to take em off before and the first one came off just fine but the second one wouldn't budge! Tried pulling, pounding, tapping, and lots of other stuff but it wouldn't move at all! Almost seems like its rusted on. I thought about spraying WD40 between the back of the wheel and the hub. Any thoughts on what to do to get it off would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,737
Likes: 2,376
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Wheels can stick to the hubs, due to dissimilar metal corrosion layer that occurs between the two. Have had it happen once and never again.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
You can gently lower the car....very slowwwly. The wheel will pop loose. When you reinstall, use some anti-seize lubricant on the back of the wheel...it will come off like butter next time.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Wheels can stick to the hubs, due to dissimilar metal corrosion layer that occurs between the two. Have had it happen once and never again.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Had that happen on the BMW. Beat the **** out of the wheel (tire) with a rubber hammer and they eventually popped loose. As said above, I lubed the hub contact area and had no issues after.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Mine Hill New Jersey
Wheels can stick to the hubs, due to dissimilar metal corrosion layer that occurs between the two. Have had it happen once and never again.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
My recommendation is in two parts:
(1) Spray some penetrating fluid between the wheel to hub interface if possible without getting contaminants on the brakes.
(2) With a padded block of wood held firmly against the edge of one side of the wheel, give it a sharp rap with a small sledge hammer (a framing hammer is too light, but recommend against a 16 pound sledge for control reasons).
(3) Or with good boots on, put a towel over the wheel, and kick the living crap out of one side of the wheel.
In cases 2 and 3 above, using the wheel as a fulcrum will generally allow the wheel to pop off.
After that, I have since coated my hubs (after cleaning them up with a wire brush) with a light film of heavy grease. No more problem.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
This happened on my '06 GTO as well. Royal PITA - ended up taking a rubber mallet to the wheels and whaling on them until the wheels popped off the corrosion. Major suckage. I put antisieze on the hubs to keep it from happening again - and traded it in on my '08 C6 a month later.
Technically it worked, since I'll never have to worry about the GTO's wheels sticking to the hubs again...
Technically it worked, since I'll never have to worry about the GTO's wheels sticking to the hubs again...