Can’t get my wheels off

I have a 2011 Texas Edition with 20” BBS wheels. I went to rotate my tires today, and I couldn’t get the lugs off. I sprayed some WD-40 on them and let them sit. I finally got the lugs off of the driver’s side front wheel with a cheater bar on the 4-way tire tool, but the wheel wouldn’t budge. It was like it was welded on there. I put the lugs back on, and tried the passenger’s side front. My 4-way broke at the wrench end on the last bolt as the lugs were almost impossible to remove. I used the tire tool in the factory jack set to finish getting it off, but the wheel wouldn’t budge. Like they were welded on. I didn’t get too aggressive in my efforts to move the wheels because I was concerned that I would mess up my wheels. I’ve had the wheels off about 6 months ago to check the brake pads, and I didn’t have this problem. And I know I didn’t tighten the lugs down like that. (I don’t use air tools. Only hand tools).

I’m not sure what to do at this point besides biting the bullet and taking it to a shop. Any advice?

 

Hit the tires with a sledge.

 

A buddies f150 that was used at a boat ramp had the wheels stuck on, and a sledge wouldnt budge em. Ended up using a small bottle jack and the stock scissor jack between the frame and the tire. Then the sledge worked fine.

 

When my tires wont come off I give them a curb stomp heel kick on the bottom of the tire and usually that pops them off.

 

Yeah bud. You acting like my 15 year old 6'4'' man child lol. I literally did this today. He's like it's not coming off. I was like hold back.

I'd hit that wheel with good front kick at 12-3-9 O' clock...the black rubber part, it should come. It might fall off. If not take a sledge to it. But I am sure it will come off using this trick. Btw I learnt this when I was dumbfounded like Jr. Lol

Also if up it in a rust belt clean the inner rotor with a steel wire. And coat the inner rotor with anti-rust paste.

 

Beating the tires is a good way to eat a sledgehammer sandwich. You really need to hit the rim to get the shock wave to break it loose. Unfortunately that's not good for the rims.

What I would do is to use a bottle jack and 4x4. Jack up one corner slightly and apply jackstands. Remove lugs on that wheel. Cut the 4x4 post the distance between the inside of the two rims on either axle minus the jack height collapsed and 4". Let's say the distance you measured from inside of drivers side rear rim to inside of pass side rear rim is 72" and your bottle jack is 8" collapsed. Add 4" and cut the 4x4 post 60 inches long. Now, one end of the post gets placed against the inside of rim opposite the loosened wheel. You may need to find something to hold it up off the floor like a box, soup can etc. Now take the rest of the 4x4 post and place it on the floor inside the loose wheel so it's 90* from the other 4x4. Place the bottle jack between the two 4x4s and pump. Apply pressure and using a piece of plywood or other lumber protect the top outside of the rim and give it a good smack with a good sized hammer. Caution: the hand holding the buffer block might get a hurtful shock so use gloves and of course eye protection.

Once that wheel is off, clean the corrosion with scotchbrite and use no ox grease before putting the wheels back one. Then use that wheel to hold the 4x4 to push off the opposing one.

 

Oh also before you ask... If you got aluminum wheels you need to torque this wheels to 97lbs

Of you got steelies/steel. 150lbs iirc.

 

Have had the same problem with all my alloy wheels when I have lived in salty parts of the country. 4lb sledge on a wood block against the inside edge of the rim has always worked for me. Wire brush the contact surfaces between hub and rim and coat with whatever bearing grease you have laying around.

Aluminum alloy rims and steel hubs don’t agree with one another once you throw road salt in the mix. I’ve never had trouble getting the lug nuts off, luckily.

 

One wheel at a time, loosen all the lug nuts a few turns and slowly drive a few feet back and forth.

For real stubborn wheels, you may have to slowly turn some corners.

Greg

 

Spice it up with some dirty talk, tell those wheels who daddy is. They should get off easy.

 

I've used the handle of my 2' breaker bar like a tire thumper from the inside many times. Whack it on the tire a few times and spin the wheel as you do it. Pops right off.

 

Always works for me.

 

Wait til I show you Tirerack.com....

 

Spartan kick the tire a few times and it'll pop off. Anti seize, grease, etc. On the mating surfaces. Tundra seems especially bad about galvanic corrosion between the aluminum wheel and steel rotor.

 

ooh here's another decent way.. from youtube.. like there brothers showed.. I think this would work as well.

 

Thanks, y’all! Lots of great info here. I’ll take another stab at it next weekend.

 

If you’re looking for a new 4 way I might suggest this one. Had mine for over ten year with zero issues. To give you some perspective of how much torque it can handle: with my old f150 I’d have to slip a 50” cheater pipe over it and pull down with all 200+ lbs of me. Eventually learned to put a pad on the floor for my ass to land on. Never had an issue with it, though. Not sure if it’s still made in the USA, but it’s very stout and well made. Doesn’t fold but will fit in a 20” wide toolbox.
Ken-Tool 35657 4-Way Lug Wrench, 23 in.

$45 Ken-Tool 35657 4-Way Lug Wrench, 23 in.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GPB3CI

My F150 wheel lugs would be seized solid. If You get a flat, might as well forget about changing it out if you don’t have a cheater bar. Better off just driving on the rim. Here is where I first found out about the issue ~35 miles into the north Maine woods without a soul in sight

 

I saved that on my Amazon wishlist! Thank you!

I keep a 4-way behind my seat, and it was the one that I broke. I picked up a more substantial replacement for from Advanced for around $25. That Ken-Tools 4-way looks to be even better. I’ll order one next payday.

 

PB blaster and a louisville slugger

 

I see a soul right behind you!

 

Haha he was the only one. Didn’t see a single logging truck the whole time. Were up by Caucomgomoc Lake