Stuck, can't remove driver front tire

[MN_Pat]

Read old threads and don't understand what's happening. So far I've done swearing and beating with a 2# hammer. About to go back out for more swearing and beating. May try the loosen the lug nuts a turn or so then drive the car a few feet.

Here's the piece I don't understand. All the other threads show root cause as corrosion. My tires were rotated on Friday, some grinding noise I noticed on Saturday, and can't get the wheel off on Sunday. If it's only been 48 hours since the tires were off, this can't be corrosion bonding. Drive home is 10 miles, then parked. That's why I came here. Thoughts?

 

[ArthurKotb]

If you just had that wheel off 48 hours ago I too agree that it couldn't be corrosion. On the other hand, if you eliminate all other possibilities then it would have to be corrosion, or binding somehow. Being in Minnesota and having all that salt to deal with I'd put money on corrosion.

Was it hard to remove the tires for the rotation and did you see signs of corrosion when you took them off, put them back on? Have you removed the tire on the opposite side to see the extent of corrosion?

I used to have a corrosion problem on my boat trailer's wheels that caused them to corrode to the rotor hubs I cleaned them up and put a thin layer of waterproof grease on them and never had a problem since then.

I wouldn't beat them. That's going to ruin them. I would try WD-40 or other penetrating oil at the base of each lug and on the back side if you can get a spray oil in that area. Let that sit overnight. You may have to visit a tire store to let them do it or just get some advice.

 

[JustTroItIn]

Loosen the lug nuts a bit and take a short trip on a bumpy road. I would be seriously suspect your tires were actually rotated, or at least that one, if you can't get the wheel off.

 

[gomiami]

Huh. I had a rear tire that did that once. Had it off to do a rotation and a week later (but only 10 or so miles) it was frozen on the hub again.

Never thought to figure out why and just assumed that's life in the rust belt with dissimilar metals. Once I got it off again, I did notice the inside of the wheel where it meets the hub was rather nasty with a ton of oxidation, so I gently used a piece of wet (red) scotch brite to knock off some of the build-up.

The grinding noise would concern me more than the stuck tire.

 

[spartacus]

Hit the tire from the rear while rotating.The wheels are hub centric. There is a little lip in the center of the hub, the center of the wheel sits on it. Next time put some anti seize on it.

 

[premise]

Loosen the lugs nuts 2 turns and "drop" the offending corner (release floor jack) from a couple of inches height.

 

[Charles Bronson]

Raise vehicle. Loosen lugs half way or so. Stand up, turn around, and donkey kick the crap out of the tire sidewall.

 

[gomiami]

Raise vehicle. Loosen lugs half way or so. Stand up, turn around, and donkey kick the crap out of the tire sidewall.

lol, never thought of doing that.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Once you do get this tire off, use a wire wheel or steel brush and knock off all of the corrosion on both surfaces. Put a light coating of grease or similar goo before reinstalling the tire. This is good practice any time you're removing the tire.

 

[MN_Pat]

I did get it off with the loosen lug nuts technique. First was .5-1 turn and back and forth in the driveway. No joy. Then 1-1.5 turns and a little spin in our cul de sac. Worked like a champ:thumb:

Odd part, when I got the wheel off there didn't really appear to be corrosion. Still seems odd on why it happened but moving forward now.

 

[fourwd1]

Raise vehicle. Loosen lugs half way or so. Stand up, turn around, and donkey kick the crap out of the tire sidewall.

That method has always worked for me

 

[johnnygraphic]

I did get it off with the loosen lug nuts technique. First was .5-1 turn and back and forth in the driveway. No joy. Then 1-1.5 turns and a little spin in our cul de sac. Worked like a champ:thumb:

Odd part, when I got the wheel off there didn't really appear to be corrosion. Still seems odd on why it happened but moving forward now.

Glad it worked out for you! Hopefully it was just this one-off experience.

 

[axxman]

Had the same thing on mine 10 years ago in a Target parking lot. ended up putting 2-3 bolts on loose starting up the car, put it in drive, one foot on the brake and one on the gas, (i know) and let the brake go then jammed on the brake, did the same thing in reverse I head a loud cracking sound, jacked it up and changed the tire. I would recommend a little bit of copper slip. but you are near the brakes so very little.

on a side note, a crowed had gathered around while I was doing this, they had never seen someone change a tire before, they kept asking if they should call someone. there is probably a videon on youtube somewhere, they all had their phones out.

good luck,