Wheels stuck.. any ideas?

StreetKill831

StreetKill831

New member
Alright so I have began the process of removing the front differential from my 2000 Ltd to swap into my '98, but ran into a problem. I can't get the damn wheels off the front. I've tried everything I can possibly think of besides hooking my tow strap to them and using the '98 to give it a yank.. really don't want to do that seeing as how it will probably pull the t4r off the jacks I'm using in the front. I have even tried putting a bottle jack in between the frame and wheel but that didn't seem to get me anywhere. I have been soaking them in PB Blaster but it doesn't seem to have loosened anything up.

Any ideas?
 
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are you talking about pulling the tires off? Are all the lug nuts removed? take a soft hammer and beat on the tire to see if it frees it up
 
I'm talking about taking the tire/wheels off yes and of course all the lug-nuts are off. I have tried using a hammer, sledge hammer, long 4x4, kicking it(in both directions), the bottle jack in between wheel and frame.. I can't think of any other way. These things are stuck on there.. :sadwave:
 
That would probably work.. only problem is the vehicle doesn't run at this point. I guess I could try rolling it but I doubt that I'm going to get it moving enough to break it loose especially with how stuck these things are, I mean a bottle jack between frame and wheel?? Did nothing..
 
bummer...but think of it like a strong magnet or a suction cup...if you pull against it, it takes a lot of force to remove...but if you apply the force laterally (in parallel to the plane), it is easier to remove...

You might try bouncing the vehicle instead of rolling it...

By the way, I'm assuming these wheel are aluminum...if so, it is a problem of dissimilar metals bonding over time due to corrosion.

I've heard of some people recommending heat in situations like this...but there is a risk...

Good luck.
 
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If you're still having problems try a penetrating oil, I like BREAK AWAY by CYCLO. Spray around lug bolts generously and let it sit overnight.
 
Still having trouble. They have been soaking in PB Parts Blaster for 2 days. Still not coming off. Tomorrow I may try connecting my come-along to the wheel and then to my '98 at giving it a go. We'll see..
 
Put some of the lug nuts back on but not tight (maybe backed off 1 or 2 rev.) Drop the truck back on the ground and start bouncing it with some side to side motion to try and work the joint. Beat on the upper sidewalls, with the truck still on the ground, with the sledge but protect the tire with a 2x4 laid flat.
 
No luck.. I even tried using my come along by attaching a strap to the wheel and to the come along and then the come-along to my '98. All it did was pull the 2000 sideways..
 
call local tire shops?

I'm presuming you must be back east where rust eats everything in it's path.

Perhaps make a call to a local tire shop? I'm guessing someone there has run into this before.

But I like the gear puller idea also. Use the jaws on the wheel and insert some wood at the hub to protect it.
 
CO_FlyFisher said:
Wow, that's crazy!!!
Click to expand...
I second that.

You might have some luck if you take a heavy duty ratchet strap, or your come-along, and loop it through the bottom of the drivers side and passenger side wheels so as you tighten up the strap it pulls the two wheels together. Imagine trying to toe the tires in with force. This will keep your truck stable on the jack stands and may apply enough inward force to the bottoms of the wheels to pop those suckers loose. Just try not to lay under your truck when doing this.

If you don’t care about the wheels / rotors, you can take a prybar and hammer it between the wheel and the rotor turning while you do this. This may break the bond.

If all else fails, get a torch and heat the sucker till it comes loose.
 
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OP, post some pics... the same thing happened to me but with my steel wheels... though I think your fix will be a little different.
 
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