I plan on putting my 15 pugs (w/ Nokian Hakkapaliittas (yay)) on sometime soon but I am pretty sure the stock steel wheels have rusted on and might take some work to get off. Is there an easy way to get stubborn wheels off besides the BFH and some powerful swings?

If not, whats the easiest way to get 'em off with a BFH? I imagine you wouldn't want to be directly hitting the wheel so maybe use a peice of wood to pound on? What do you guys do????

BF dead blowH

 

If that doesnt work, then I get the BFH

I have an air tool called a pin scaler. Basically high speed jackhammer effect with lots of steel pins that stick out. It's for cleaning paint and rust off of metal. I give the wheel a hit with that round the studs while pulling on the back and most of them pop off. I have had to break down to the BFH before though.

So basically I should just pound the livin' bejesus out of em' with like an 8 pound sledge?

Sometimes heat from a propane torch right round the center helps. Not too much mind you, you don't want to burn the grease in the bearings. But yeah, just bang them harder than you think you should and they will come off.

unbolt the wheels while its on the ground, lift it up with a hydraulic jack and drop it fast, they should break loose, just watch your feet and hands;) sure beats ruining the wheel

unbolt the wheels while its on the ground, lift it up with a hydraulic jack and drop it fast, they should break loose, just watch your feet and hands;) sure beats ruining the wheel

 

And that won't hurt the studs or anything??

never has for me, i`ve done it on several cars including subarus.

never has for me, i`ve done it on several cars including subarus.

 

Penetrating oil and a few whacks with a 4x4.

Apply the oil in the bolt holes and around the wheel center.

 

Just did that last night (works every time with minimal fuss). Silicon grease on the hub/wheel surface prevents it from seizing as bad in the future.

at work, we use a sledge hammer while the car is up in the air. Normally we hit the tires so not to damage the rims but sometimes, we've got to take desperate measures;)

One good whack on the bottom of the INNER sidewall takes them off 'painlessly' every time.

Take the lugs off and go wheeling!!!

 

I am just kidding, of course.

Loosen the lug nuts to just a little tighter than finger tight, then drive around in a circle in both directions. DON'T drive the car more than a couple hundred feet like this!

When I put the wheels on, I use a liberal coat of anti-seize on the face of the hub, and also on the threads of the studs.

 

As far as getting the wheels off, I use a combination of a small 5-lb mini-sledge and a 36" prybar. Works for me.

When I put the wheels on, I use a liberal coat of anti-seize on the face of the hub, and also on the threads of the studs.

 

 

 

I would urge extreme caution against putting any lubricant on the threads of your wheel studs. You really don't want your lug nuts coming loose. Just not a good idea.

loose'n lugs go in circles works every time

I would urge extreme caution against putting any lubricant on the threads of your wheel studs. You really don't want your lug nuts coming loose. Just not a good idea.

 

Anti-seize isn't much of a lubricant. I've been using it for several years, and I've never had problems with lug nuts coming loose.

 

The only time I've had lug nuts coming loose was the last time I took my car in for new tires. I didn't check and re-torque the lug nuts afterwards, like I normally do. It only took a couple of days on the gravel roads before the lug nuts had started to loosen off. Needless to say, I got myself a discount on my next tire purchase from there.

Hmm, driving around in circles didn't seem to work. I think I'll just take it to a local auto place and have them pound the bejesus out of them, they seem pretty good on there. Also, by the wear of my tires I am pretty sure they haven't been rotated for the whole life of them so I imagine those rear wheels haven't been off in years.