cannot remove front wheel

[ds8819]

I cannot get the front wheel off.... removed all the wheel nnuts, but it just won't budge. Removed the centre cap thinking there may be a castellated nut there, but there isn't.

am I missing something??? I am wondering if it may be held on by something else?

Anyone?

[briwy]

Is it an alloy, if so then it could well be stuck tight due to the electrical reaction between steel and alloy. (once it's off clean the surfaces and get a smear of copper grease on them. That will stop it sticking again.)

Put the wheel nuts back finger tight and lower it gently with the jack and wobble it, this will sometimes break the "seal" and let you get the wheel off.

Failing that get it up on axle stands and make sure it's really solid and then it's a matter of thumping from behind with a lump hammer and a block of wood turning the wheel occasionally.

[mikeWalsall]

Mine are steel wheels and they where rusted onto the spigot / hubs ..





I sprayed some penetrating oil down the bolt holes and managed to a get few clouts on the edge off the wheels with a heavy rawhide mallet and that broke them away from the hubs ..

Before refitting them I brushed some anti seize grease around the face of the wheels and hubs ..

[g8dhe]

Wow, that was some spray of penetrating oil!!

[Bob]

Wow, that was some spray of penetrating oil!!

[Simon Jones]

Put a couple of the nuts back on loosely (to stop wheel flying off) and then give it a few carefully aimed whacks from behind using a rubber mallet, or a lump hammer with a piece of wood to protect the rim and tyre. Rotate the wheel so you are giving it a thump all the way round. Obviously, ensure the van is properly supported on axle stands as the jack is not really stable enough for this type of thing.

You'd be wise to remove all 4 wheels and clean up any rust around the spigot before using copper grease. You never know when you may need to change a wheel at the road side so check them while you can. I had my alloy wheels re-powder coated and they were a pig to get off. Ended up using a Dremel to reduce the thickness of the paint where they located over the spigot.

[Diplomat]

My experience with having this happen in the past is one of several reasons why I prefer steel wheels to alloys.

Ironically, aluminium has always been the metal I have preferred working with and making things out of. Wouldn't use it for cooking any more, though!


Frank

[Simon Jones]

ds8819, that's the second wheel you've had difficulties in removing http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 06#p607906