What is the trick to getting the blasted tire off?

[Master Yoder]

I drove over a nail and one of my back tires is flat.

I am driving a 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD.

Loosened the lug nuts up, jacked it up, took the nuts off and the tire won't budge. I kicked it, beat it with a hammer, sprayed it with WD40, lowered it down without the lug nuts with hopes the weight would loosen it up all to no avail.

So what the crap is the trick in getting the tire off? I was told by someone that the 4Runners commonly have this problem because the dimensions are so tight.

I have always been happy with Toyota engineering until today, at least this this specific problem really disappoints me. So what would you do if you are stuck out on the high way and you need a 20 pound sledge hammer to get the freaking tire off? Lucky for me it went flat over night in my drive way.

 

[Elton H]

bigger hammer it will come off

 

[Master Yoder]

bigger hammer it will come off

Bigger as in mini maul or 8 pound sledge? Is it common for this to happen? Is there anything I can do to prevent it? What I worry about is getting a flat while I am out somewhere and I can't replace it with the spare.

 

[BC4Runner]

I have always been happy with Toyota engineering until today, at least this this specific problem really disappoints me. So what would you do if you are stuck out on the high way and you need a 20 pound sledge hammer to get the freaking tire off? Lucky for me it went flat over night in my drive way.

This really isn't a Toyota engineering issue, most cards today with aluminum wheels have this happen because of the interaction of the two differing metals. A little anti-cease between the wheel and the hub will eliminate this problem in the future.

 

[techno]

I have always been happy with Toyota engineering until today, at least this this specific problem really disappoints me.

Just wait until you have to remove the rear shocks or the #6 spark plug.... you'll love toyota engineers even more!! :yesyes:

My wheels are a bit sticky sometimes but after a severe kicking they usually come loose. Sounds like you have tried everything though.
The only suggestion I have is to put the nuts back on but do not tighten them down, leave them backed off about one turn. Then drive up and down the driveway a few times in a slight s- pattern and hope that the vehicles weight shifting can break the seal. Obviously use this method with extreme caution and common sense.

Could be a good time to check the other wheels too, so your not stuck when out on the road next time.

Good luck

 

[Ulfr]

Just wait until you have to remove the rear shocks or the #6 spark plug.... you'll love toyota engineers even more!! :yesyes:

My wheels are a bit sticky sometimes but after a severe kicking they usually come loose. Sounds like you have tried everything though.
The only suggestion I have is to put the nuts back on but do not tighten them down, leave them backed off about one turn. Then drive up and down the driveway a few times in a slight s- pattern and hope that the vehicles weight shifting can break the seal. Obviously use this method with extreme caution and common sense.

Could be a good time to check the other wheels too, so your not stuck when out on the road next time.

Good luck

X2

We use that method often to lose the wheels on the truckers and bus 'round here... It really does wonders...

 

[TechWrench]

Just wait until you have to remove the rear shocks or the #6 spark plug.... you'll love toyota engineers even more!! :yesyes:

My wheels are a bit sticky sometimes but after a severe kicking they usually come loose. Sounds like you have tried everything though.
The only suggestion I have is to put the nuts back on but do not tighten them down, leave them backed off about one turn. Then drive up and down the driveway a few times in a slight s- pattern and hope that the vehicles weight shifting can break the seal. Obviously use this method with extreme caution and common sense.

Could be a good time to check the other wheels too, so your not stuck when out on the road next time.

Good luck

Most of the time I use a large rubber mallet against the tire (not the wheel), while slowly turning the wheel, so you are not hitting in the same spot. After a while, it usually breaks free. I then make sure I clean both the center hole in the wheel and the hub of any rust or corrosion and coat with never-size when I put it back together. If that fails, I use a variation of the above mentioned method. I loosen the lug nuts a turn or two and with the wheel still on the ground, I rock the vehicle from side to side and it will break free.

 

[Master Yoder]

Thanks guys. I used a combination of rocking, driving with slight left and right turns, that loosened it up enough so a few kicks got it off.

I will get some anti-seize and put on it before I place the fixed tire back on. I'm doing the other hubs too since it is time to rotate them anyways.

 

[MikesToy]

Thanks guys. I used a combination of rocking, driving with slight left and right turns, that loosened it up enough so a few kicks got it off.

I will get some anti-seize and put on it before I place the fixed tire back on. I'm doing the other hubs too since it is time to rotate them anyways.

Hope you didn't bend any of those studs (or whatever you call it). Those are costly to replace.