Wheels stuck - sledge hammer?

[w3ss]

There's a creaking noise coming from the back tires/suspension when I'm getting out of my 2010 Mazda 3 sport. I decided to go take off the tire and take a look and rotate them while I'm at it. All 4 wheels are stuck with lug nuts off.

How would you guys take them off safely? I was going to get a sledge hammer and gently tap the tires to see if it'll knock them off but Cad Tire had a recall on all their sledge hammers. :bang

[mazdilla]

The creaking noise is obviously a suspension component on the rear, which you'll have to trouble shoot. Have someone else get in and out of your car while you check for the source. As for your stuck wheels, yes a sledge hammer will work, even one from Lowes, HD, or HH; and don't be gentle. A good spray of Quick penetrating oil along the seam between the wheel and the hub is a good start. Make sure the car is well supported on stands, then support a chunk of 2x4 across the bottom arch of the tire (on the outside), and give the 2x4 a good whack!

Remember to butter up the hub face and studs with some Never Seize when you re-install.

GL!

[peterm15]

Happens to my dads ram every time. Hit the tires on a slight outward angle. A good swing with a hammer may even do the trick. Don't bounce off and hit your car though.

[kevcol74]

Top of the wheel with your foot is all you will need. Good hard kick (making sure the car is well supported) and put a lug nut or 2 on a couple threads (so when the wheel comes off, you don't have to chase it down your driveway!)
And NEVER put anti-sieze or the like on your studs!! EVER!! (hub face is fine, just not the studs!)

[TheMAN]

thread one nut on halfway, then give the wheel a good kick... having the nut on there prevents the wheel from flying out and damaging it or yourself :chuckle
if it doesn't come off, get a rubber mallet and beat on it from the inside.... a sledge hammer and a block of wood also works... NEVER use a metal hammer directly on the rim, you will mess it up!

the wheel seizes on the hub itself, not the brake rotors... blame ford for this as none of the real mazdas ever did this.... I always use a glob of antiseize around the edge of the hub

[SonicBoy]

Remember to butter up the hub face and studs with some Never Seize when you re-install.

GL!

Every year in the fall and spring we get these posts about seized wheels to the hub and the same advice. You will get responses about putting anti-seize on the studs which is highly controversal.

Personally I follow the manuals which state never to put anything on the studs as you don't want them to come loose on you causing a potential accident.

I agree that anti-seize should be applied to the area where the hub comes into contact with the wheel only. An application once a year in the fall is normally enough but some also do in the spring at change over.

[SomeGuy]

Hammers won't work...the proper and safe way of getting them off is to support the car on jack stands (properly) and kick the tire from the back side of it, always works.

Also, no anti-seize on the lugs or studs...but on the face of the hub is good at helping them come apart next year.

[peterm15]

Hammers won't work...the proper and safe way of getting them off is to support the car on jack stands (properly) and kick the tire from the back side of it, always works.

Also, no anti-seize on the lugs or studs...but on the face of the hub is good at helping them come apart next year.

ive always used a lrg hammer hitting it the same way you suggested, personally properly supported or not i would never get under a car and kick it.

[zoso]

ive always used a lrg hammer hitting it the same way you suggested, personally properly supported or not i would never get under a car and kick it.

You don't get under and kick it.

What i do is i get it up take off all but one. I stand with my back to the car and then kick the wheel on the side. The shoe should not damage anything and the loose nuts hold it on.

Think of the tire as a clock, I kick it anywhere from 3-5 and 7-9. From what i was told this is the ideal method when changing your tire on the road so you don't stick out or fall into traffic.

[n00bMeiSter]

There's a creaking noise coming from the back tires/suspension when I'm getting out of my 2010 Mazda 3 sport. I decided to go take off the tire and take a look and rotate them while I'm at it. All 4 wheels are stuck with lug nuts off.

How would you guys take them off safely? I was going to get a sledge hammer and gently tap the tires to see if it'll knock them off but Cad Tire had a recall on all their sledge hammers. :bang

Do you use the e-brake when you park? If so it could just be the brakes. I know my car occasionally does that when I get out, I know it's my ebrake because I recognize the sound.

[Coaster]

I find an old wooden baseball bat works best for me. You can lie on the ground with the car jacked up, the top lug nut loosely on and get a really good swing aimed at the tire.

[peterm15]

You don't get under and kick it.

What i do is i get it up take off all but one. I stand with my back to the car and then kick the wheel on the side. The shoe should not damage anything and the loose nuts hold it on.

Think of the tire as a clock, I kick it anywhere from 3-5 and 7-9. From what i was told this is the ideal method when changing your tire on the road so you don't stick out or fall into traffic.

Got it. Makes sense.

I have done that as well but having bad knees I guess I can't get a good enough swing.

[TheMAN]

I find an old wooden baseball bat works best for me. You can lie on the ground with the car jacked up, the top lug nut loosely on and get a really good swing aimed at the tire.

batters up! :chuckle