Wheels won't come off the damn hub

[stevenlung]

I was trying to put my summer wheels on, but the winter rims won't come out after I loose all the lug nuts, the damn thing just stay there no matter what I did to it (kick, hammer, pull, shake, or etc).

Is there a way to take those mother f'er off those f'ing hubs? :flaming

[PlatMS6]

Loosen the lugs a bit (still on but loose).... drive forward then back 5-10 feet, should hear it pop

[stealthman12]

i had the same problem last year, they were rusted on.
With the help from a couple of friends, we ended heating up the part where it was stuck and with the strength of hammers and couple guys pulling, the wheel came off

[Noisy Crow]

Loosen the lugs a bit (still on but loose).... drive forward then back 5-10 feet, should hear it pop

Just don't loosen them too much or you can damage something the threads... 1/32" looser than full contact is enough.

Many years ago I ran into the same problem with Sprint (3cylinders, turbocharged, great fun!). I ended driving over to an empty parking lot and driving in tight hard circles to in order to generate enough force to get the wheels to pop loose.

[mit-gee-mui]

You may find some helpful hints/tips/tricks by clicking the following links:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=15393&highlight=wheels+stuck

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12659&highlight=wheels+stuck
This is also found at the bottom of this page under Similar Threads.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21425&highlight=wheels+seized

:)

My Girlfriend has anti-seize on her and all her wheels come on and off SO smoothly.:hawt I changed her to both winter and summer mode and so far I have had no problems whatsoever (except for the small bruise on my knee from last week:whoa). Maybe it has something to do with a woman's touch.:chuckle

[WeatherB]

When you were kicking, hammering, etc... was your car on safety stands? If not, when you kick, the jack moves so the tire doesn't get the same impact.

[Unoriginalusername]

i had this on my wifes car... i started hamering with a rubber mallet until it cracked in half. Then a real sledge hammer with no luck.

for three of the wheels i had to slightly losen the bolts and drop the jack (in a controlled manner) a few times to break the rust. one was still so rusted that i had to losen them and go for a drive doing a few hard turns to break the rust, then tighten back up and drive home and remove

[Malcolm991]

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago. It took me 45 minutes with stands and a jack hammering the hell out of the inside of the wheel with a sledge hammer. A total pain in the ass and I will use anti seize next winter for sure

[MZR3]

...
for three of the wheels i had to slightly losen the bolts and drop the jack (in a controlled manner) a few times to break the rust. one was still so rusted that i had to losen them and go for a drive doing a few hard turns to break the rust, then tighten back up and drive home and remove

This worked for me too. What I do is loosen the nuts a bit, i.e. when you can turn them with the tire off the groud, jack up the car, loosen the nuts a bit more, 1 to 2 turns so there is a gap the wheel can move out of, then drop the jack slowly until the tire touch the ground, continue to drop slowly until the wheel "pop" loose by the weight of the car. I haven't encountered occasions where I have to drive the car to make the wheel pop yet.

I highly recommend that you apply an anti-seizing compound to all the contact surfaces for ease of remove the wheels in the future.

[x_o_k_x]

first time i hear that.. use rust inhibitor and big hammer or heat it up

[Notorious MS3]

I just sprayed WD 40 in and around the bolts, then used a rubber hammer to gently knock it loose.

[Skarbro]

LOL this topic comes up twice a year without fail - once in the spring and once in the fall.

[Cardinal Fang]

No kidding. Problem was significantly reduced for me when I sprayed the hub with anti-seize before putting the new wheels on.

[Ex-Rolla]

WD40... rubber mallet...

Spray, wait, then tap the tires with the mallet. Bang.... rim falls off.

[bubba1983]

pft give 'er a good kick with your foot, put some muscle into it people...
then clean the crap off the hub, and lube it...

[Ex-Rolla]

pft give 'er a good kick with your foot, put some muscle into it people...
then clean the crap off the hub, and lube it...

that'll work as well :)

[ravin13]

yeah, it basically happens whenever I do tires, I either kick it off, or use a bigass pry bar off the lower control arm

[Moses]

Just try to kick it from undrer the car to outside, It always works. Or use a hammer and hit the tire

[tinythetiger]

Happened to tokico last week, we were hammering away and couldn't get it off. He didn't have a mallet either, so we gave up. He said the guys at the shop had to pound at it from the inside. Oddly enough my non OEM steelies come off no problem though I DO need the spacer in the middle (but even with that since it's plastic it won't rust on). So perhaps it's better to buy non OEM and then buy the spacer XD. and if you try to kick it from under, make sure the car's well supported, not on the stupid scissor jack from the back of the car, and use axle stands if possible for extra support. would suck if the car fell on you while you're trying to pound it from the inside.

[Noisy Crow]

and if you try to kick it from under, make sure the car's well supported, not on the stupid scissor jack from the back of the car, and use axle stands if possible for extra support. would suck if the car fell on you while you're trying to pound it from the inside.

If I do this I always put some insurance in place. I have some pieces of 8x8 lumber that I lower the car onto first. Jackstands are too tippy. The odds of the car coming off a jackstand when I am pounding sideways on a tire are low. The odds of me getting badly hurt if it does fall off is about 100%. Oh... the lumber goes lengthwise, not on end!

[flylice13]

having worked with tires before (as some on this board knows), get your car up on jack stands and a few blocks of wood. take 4 bolts out and leave 1 on about half way in. then take a sledge hammer to the inside of the wheel. when you're striking it, strike ONLY the tire as you will bend the rim or crack the rim if you hit it hard enough.

NOTE: before you do this, go to canadian tire and get yourself a tin can of that gold lubrcant for hubs. when applying it, apply it on the hub where the rim touches it and on the studs as well, as this will decrease the chance of the studs rusting and becoming weak.

[Skarbro]

I know that shops use some kind of a bar that they place in between the wheels. They expand the bar and the wheel pops off. I wonder if we can purchase this tool?

[ds2chan]

You may find some helpful hints/tips/tricks by clicking the following links:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=15393&highlight=wheels+stuck

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12659&highlight=wheels+stuck
This is also found at the bottom of this page under Similar Threads.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21425&highlight=wheels+seized

:)

My Girlfriend has anti-seize on her and all her wheels come on and off SO smoothly.:hawt I changed her to both winter and summer mode and so far I have had no problems whatsoever (except for the small bruise on my knee from last week:whoa). Maybe it has something to do with a woman's touch.:chuckle

belinda.. always helpful.. =)

I had the same problem until I used anti-seize for the first time last year before putting on my winters.. all but 1 wheel came off easily last weekend.. the last one took about a minute to get off.. it was stuck but not as bad as before.. I think the jar is like $8-10 at Canadian Tire..

[Tokic_o]

^^^ anti-seize.....as in WD40? or is there something else? I'd like to pick up one for the future. thanks

[matt]

^^^ anti-seize.....as in WD40? or is there something else? I'd like to pick up one for the future. thanks

Yah I bought anti seize at canadian tire last weekend, its a little jar, grey in colour with a silver like cap, $8.99 i believe, ull find it with the lubricants section and cleaner stuff

[ds2chan]

^^^ anti-seize.....as in WD40? or is there something else? I'd like to pick up one for the future. thanks

as matt stated, it's in a little grey bottle and there's a brush attached to the lid/cap.. it's not WD40.. it's a silver paste looking like substance.. just ask the car guy for it.. one of them should know where it is.. could be in the lube section (pls, no jokes.. =P)

[Walrus]

http://www.permatex.com/images/DisplayImage.asp?210|/images/ProductPhotos/80071.jpg

[Cudgel]

^^^ anti-seize.....as in WD40? or is there something else? I'd like to pick up one for the future. thanks

I don't think putting on WD40 onto your wheels to get it off is a good idea. If you do, you better wipe it clean or else your wheels might get loose and fly off after you put the other rim on.

Best is to use anti-seize from Canadian Tire...like the picture "Walrus" just posted. Use a rubber mallet or with a good kick and it should do the trick.

[Dante]

I saw allan at simply tire have this problem, he just kicked with the back of his foot while he was facing a wall.

[ravin13]

I know that shops use some kind of a bar that they place in between the wheels. They expand the bar and the wheel pops off. I wonder if we can purchase this tool?

well, all we use is a 36"+ prybar and put one end on the control arm and just give a good shove, the wheel will fall right off. and if you use anti-seize, sand off the hub and the inside of the wheel where it mates with the hub.

[tinythetiger]

I don't think putting on WD40 onto your wheels to get it off is a good idea. If you do, you better wipe it clean or else your wheels might get loose and fly off after you put the other rim on.

Best is to use anti-seize from Canadian Tire...like the picture "Walrus" just posted. Use a rubber mallet or with a good kick and it should do the trick.

lol well that wouldnt happen unless possibly if you put wd40 on the actual studs where the nuts screw on.

[mazda lover]

I know that shops use some kind of a bar that they place in between the wheels. They expand the bar and the wheel pops off. I wonder if we can purchase this tool?


in between the wheels and what else?
I just put a good layer of bearing or chassie grease on the back of the rim and the area that the rim is in contact with...do the same with the summer rims

[Flagrum_3]

I'm really baffled by all these problems...seized wheels? I had my wheels switched yesterday at Simply Tire, as soon as the lugs where loose the wheels hung loose, no sticking, no prying, no kicking, no cursing :chuckle

When I placed my steelies on back in November, I just cleaned the hubs quick with emery cloth, put a very slight dab of anti-seize on the flats and done....thats it folks.

It may also help that after approximately 100 klicks, I slightly cracked loose each nut, one at a time and retorqued them.



_3



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[tinythetiger]

lol I guess nobody had the foresight that you had! Also depends if you have oem steelies, because the centre part of the wheel fits REALLY tightly to the hub and is just begging to be rusted on. I guess some ppl will know what to do for next time from this thread (very helpful btw)!

[Flagrum_3]

lol I guess nobody had the foresight that you had! Also depends if you have oem steelies, because the centre part of the wheel fits REALLY tightly to the hub and is just begging to be rusted on. I guess some ppl will know what to do for next time from this thread (very helpful btw)!

Its not foresight! there have been threads on this topic every year since I've been on here:chuckle ...and I have concentric hubs....nize and tight.


_3


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[IMHIP2]

Going to get some anti seize right now. FN steelies.

[theurgy]

Had that problem with a friend's tires the other day... ninja kick stylez saved the day (that and ashitload of WD-40)

[MZ3_GS]

For the wheels you'll probably want to use the copper anti seize, it has little copper bits in the paste which because of Oxidation properties of copper, it'll prevent the iron in your wheel and hub from rusting.

And if your wheel does get stuck, take a 2x4 and give it a good wack from the inside.

[Flagrum_3]

For the wheels you'll probably want to use the copper anti seize, it has little copper bits in the paste which because of Oxidation properties of copper, it'll prevent the iron in your wheel and hub from rusting.

And if your wheel does get stuck, take a 2x4 and give it a good wack from the inside.

+1, that's what I used!! Its also what we use on the buses at TTC and those things are torqued on at 550 ft/lbs...great stuff.


_3


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[Soyabean]

I kick the living crap out of it until it loosens up lol. I'm going to try headbutting it next time

[T-bone]

Hi All I am a noobie here and do not have a Mazda BUT i have just spent an hour or so trying to get a flat off of a 05 Mazda 3 for a friend. WTF?

Reading on my iphone I tried everything suggested hammered and hammered and hammered!

I weigh 175 and can put up 270 on a bench. I hit this tire from the back until my arms were jelly and nothing. We drove around doing tight circles NO lugs. Nothing jacked and dropped - Nothing.

I have had many a car and changed many a tire this is by far the most troubling car quirk I have ever run into.

I failed even following what was suggested. This must be s design flaw. :bang

[bubba1983]

clearly your not doing it right at all......i honestly dont understand the trouble everybody is having taking off a simple tire......to each their own i guess

[BeEvil]

Hi All I am a noobie here and do not have a Mazda BUT i have just spent an hour or so trying to get a flat off of a 05 Mazda 3 for a friend. WTF?

Reading on my iphone I tried everything suggested hammered and hammered and hammered!

I weigh 175 and can put up 270 on a bench. I hit this tire from the back until my arms were jelly and nothing. We drove around doing tight circles NO lugs. Nothing jacked and dropped - Nothing.

I have had many a car and changed many a tire this is by far the most troubling car quirk I have ever run into.

I failed even following what was suggested. This must be s design flaw. :bang

This happens on my wife's 2007 GT. I just kick the tire until it starts to come loose. If the wheels haven't been off in awhile you will have a harder time.

BeEvil

[goldmember]

Hi All I am a noobie here and do not have a Mazda BUT i have just spent an hour or so trying to get a flat off of a 05 Mazda 3 for a friend. WTF?

Reading on my iphone I tried everything suggested hammered and hammered and hammered!

I weigh 175 and can put up 270 on a bench. I hit this tire from the back until my arms were jelly and nothing. We drove around doing tight circles NO lugs. Nothing jacked and dropped - Nothing.

I have had many a car and changed many a tire this is by far the most troubling car quirk I have ever run into.

I failed even following what was suggested. This must be s design flaw. :bang

Pick up some PB Blaster at CT. It's like WD-40 only better. Might help to loosen things up without kicking the crap out of your tires.

[Soyabean]

You should be happy the wheel didnt loosen considering u drove it with no lugs. I can just imagine you doing hard circles and the wheel comes flying off.

[stevenma188]

Oh man, I recently took off my stock rims to put on aftermarket rims. I did it one at a time, using the included tools for changing to a spare. I realized that if I actually did get a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, I would be in serious problem. There is no way you can take the lugs off using that short dinky wrench that the car comes with. My 2 buddies and I all tried with no success. I ended up buying a large tire iron from CT, which worked beautifully.

3 of my wheels came off no problem, but the 4th one took some fiddling. It was stuck on, but all we did was got my buddy to pull on the tire while kneeling on the ground. I guess close to 220Lbs of pressure got the wheel off.

[bubba1983]

Oh man, I recently took off my stock rims to put on aftermarket rims. I did it one at a time, using the included tools for changing to a spare. I realized that if I actually did get a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, I would be in serious problem. There is no way you can take the lugs off using that short dinky wrench that the car comes with. .

your lugs were overtorqued, thats obvious....the max 80 some odd lbs torque spec that they should be torqued too is more than easy to get off with the supplied tire iron from the trunk, as long as you know how to use your weight to your advantage, there should be no problem

[stevenma188]

hm I figured that they were overtorqued, but that would still totally suck if I was actually stranded somewhere with a flat.

[bubba1983]

if theres a will, theres a way for anything! lil common sence goes along way!

[Rob23]

when i was puttin my summers back on, my steel rims wouldn't come off on the front. i kicked it, i hit the rims with one of those rubber mallets. finally i got fed up, i popped up the front on both sides unscrewed the bolts just enought and spun the tires and slammed on the brakes. did it for both front wheels and it worked good. but i don't recomend it because if you don't do it right you can do some damage. and if you do it make sure to leave the bolts on loosley so the wheel doesn't fly off.

[Mty Mous]

Am I the only one that uses anti-seize grease on both mating surfaces (back of wheel and hub) whenever I have the wheel off?

Torque'n the lug nuts to 85lbs-ft is also a very good habbit to get into.
If I'm going to a shop to get something done where the wheel has to come off for whatever reason, I usually take my torque wrench with me .... just incase they don't have one. I also make sure to request that they torque the wheel to 85lbs-ft without assuming they'll naturally do that.