Got Rims - Cant Get Old Rims Off? Anyone Have This Problem

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 07:20 PM

so i picked up my rims today. i went to take off the old rims and after taking the lugs out, i could not pull the rim off. it was stuck to the car. what am i missing?>

**EVIL-AUDI** · 07-26-2004 07:22 PM

Does you car stay outside at night? Not garaged. It may be like old brakes. A little bit of rust gets in there and they get stuck a bit. Try maybe hitting them with a rubber mallet from behind. That should knock them free

**bong2611** · 07-26-2004 07:24 PM

man never heard of that problem before. Not sure what to tell you. Sorry.

**SEXICÄN** · 07-26-2004 07:26 PM

i bet ou left one lug in and didn't realize it was still in there

**dukez** · 07-26-2004 07:27 PM

Originally posted by xburbx
so i picked up my rims today. i went to take off the old rims and after taking the lugs out, i could not pull the rim off. it was stuck to the car. what am i missing?>

Jack the car up first.

**HotSauce** · 07-26-2004 07:29 PM

Tap around the tire with a rubber mallet, rotating the tire, so you hit it in all directions, then, hit it a few times from behind and presto, no more wheel!!

**EVIL-AUDI** · 07-26-2004 07:29 PM

Originally posted by dukez
Jack the car up first.

I knew it was coming

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 07:29 PM

evil you are probably right. i noticed the lugs were rusted. now i just have to find a rubber mallet.

**xaudia4driverx** · 07-26-2004 07:36 PM

No No No Just drive around until they fall off. Duh

**audispeed** · 07-26-2004 07:38 PM

had the same problem with my swings after winter. if at first you dont succeed, pull harder

. Anyone know if it would be a bad idea to use a little grease on the hub when putting rims back on for the winter or even in general?

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 08:06 PM

good thinking. i drove around and they fell off. thanks guys, couldnt have done it with out you

**DarkkstaR** · 07-26-2004 08:25 PM

Kick the side of the tire straight on. it will fall off, don't scratch your wheel.

**EnvyJK** · 07-26-2004 08:26 PM

easy, just give a few solid kicks on the tires. This happened to me before, it's just rust

**SFexBOY** · 07-26-2004 08:28 PM

Originally posted by xburbx
good thinking. i drove around and they fell off. thanks guys, couldnt have done it with out you

i hope you put the lugs back on when you did this

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 08:35 PM

nah, no lugs. i just let the tires fall off and i skid about 400 yds. then i made sure i pulled the ebrake so i would roll backwards. im gonna grab a mallet and take it to the tires tommorow. if the rubber mallet doesnt work, ill just kick it like you guys said.

**AFOUR_PLAY** · 07-26-2004 08:56 PM

Rubber mallet will work, as HotSauce said above.

Same thing happen to me when changing pads.

**bong2611** · 07-26-2004 09:05 PM

by the way, what wheels did you get?

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 09:13 PM

i picked up moda r3's with wheels for 200 bucks. not sure how i will feel about the wheels until they are on. i figure worst case scenario, i can turn around and sell them. they were on the guys s4, but i didnt see them on it.

**DarkkstaR** · 07-26-2004 09:21 PM

Seriously, just a good kick straight on perpendicular to the sides of the tire will drop it right off...what happens is the alloy of the wheels and the hubs react to each other and rust solid to each other.

When you put on your new wheels use some never seize.

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 09:30 PM

so i should kick the treads of the tire head on or i should stand facing the broad side of the rim and kick it.

**HotSauce** · 07-26-2004 09:46 PM

Just kick the tire, any pressure should break it loose.

"When all else fails, use a bigger hammer"

**AFOUR_PLAY** · 07-26-2004 10:03 PM

Just kick it already!

**xaudia4driverx** · 07-26-2004 10:09 PM

whats wrong with my idea ? lol If kicking doesnt work go ask a tire shop if you have a ride to get there. I bet they have something to get the job done for you.

**audlman** · 07-26-2004 10:17 PM

eat your spinach! lol

**xburbx** · 07-26-2004 10:18 PM

alright, ill give it the boot

**[]D[][]V[][]D** · 07-27-2004 01:35 AM

give it the boot! give it the boot!

**EVIL-AUDI** · 07-27-2004 05:08 AM

well?

**MKGIY** · 07-27-2004 05:32 AM

SO, did the boot work or what?

Mike

**buck** · 07-27-2004 05:38 AM

If the kicking/booting/hammering doesn't work (like it didn't in my case), just loosen your lugs and drive up/down your street for a minute until you feel a little vibration and voila - your wheels are now ready to be changed!

seriously!

**G-low** · 07-27-2004 02:55 PM

was changing my buddies rims on his 325 and those things were a pain he had beat the crap out of the tire to get the damn things off its suprizing how strong rust it

as for the driving with loose lugs idea that doesnt sound too safe

**chrisrunner** · 07-27-2004 02:59 PM

usually a good kick at the top of the wheel gets mine off..theres this stuff called anti seize lubricant...a silver bottle..put it on the bolts and it keeps everything rust free.
chris.

**bong2611** · 07-28-2004 01:25 AM

well did you get the wheel off?

**buck** · 07-28-2004 06:36 AM

Originally posted by G-low as for the driving with loose lugs idea that doesnt sound too safe [/B]

maybe not safe to take on the highway - but perfectly fine if you're only doing <5mph in front of your house. You only need to loosen them until you can see a paper thickness gap between the lug and bearing surface on rim. I'd hate to damage my rim by hitting it with a hammer. BTW - ever try to hit an inflated tire with a rubber mallot? .... BOOOIIIINNNNGGGGGG

Not only do I put an anti-seize compound on my lug threads, I also put a little on the bearing surface between the rim and the brake rotor. Hopefully when I'm ready to put the winters on - I won't have this problem.

**AUDIction** · 07-28-2004 07:17 AM

As Chrisrunner said give it a few good kicks and it will come right off!

**turboawd** · 07-28-2004 07:40 AM

Originally posted by buck
maybe not safe to take on the highway - but perfectly fine if you're only doing <5mph in front of your house. You only need to loosen them until you can see a paper thickness gap between the lug and bearing surface on rim. I'd hate to damage my rim by hitting it with a hammer. BTW - ever try to hit an inflated tire with a rubber mallot? .... BOOOIIIINNNNGGGGGG

Not only do I put an anti-seize compound on my lug threads, I also put a little on the bearing surface between the rim and the brake rotor. Hopefully when I'm ready to put the winters on - I won't have this problem.

i know its ok to put anti-seize on the bearing surface, is it safe to put it on the lug threads (in case they might loosen easier during driving)?

**markc** · 07-28-2004 07:45 AM

Enough already!!!! Did he get the wheels off????

I usually put a thin film of copper grease between the wheel and brake rotor, never had a problem getting the wheels off.

**aborchew** · 07-28-2004 10:11 AM

Same thing happened to me, the wheels get oxidized and stuck, I didn't even use a mallet. I was a bit rushed (with a flat) last time I have to remove mine and I just kicked it with my heal from behind. Came right off.

**Doo** · 07-28-2004 10:49 AM

one way is to leave a lug on loosely while car is jacked and kick it so that when it comes off it doesn't fly off

another way is to leave a lug or 2 on loosely then drop the car back on the floor...now rock the car sideways....it should loosen the wheels from the rust from the weight of the car....this way u don't have to kick ur wheels....