|
|
|
11-16-2013, 01:41 PM | #1 |
First Lieutenant
138
Rep 353
Posts |
Simple DIY trick to remove stuck wheels
I dont' know what it is about BMWs, but the hub carrier on the axel tends to rust right at the wheel and firmly seems to "weld" the wheel to the axel when you are trying to take it off, especially if you haven't done it in a while. My X5 did this and now my 135i. I'm sure the NE salt on the road does not help.
I was trying to take off my rear wheels today to put on winter wheels and after removing the bolts, they were still firmly stuck on. Tugging, kicking, hitting with a rubber mallet, nothing worked. Since I have a big hydraulic jack, I tried to lower the car back on the ground with no bolts to see if the weight would help and presto, the wheel tips inward and off the top. You have to be very careful with the speed. Too slow and it will not come off, but too fast and you might have a big problem with the car supported by a wheel on the floor. But if your wheel is stuck and you can't get it off, this trick will make it happen. |
11-16-2013, 02:07 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1023
Rep 1,967
Posts |
I do something similar, but I put two wheel bolts in loosely (finger tight and then back off a couple turns) and lower the jack. Bolts are loose enough for the wheel to move, but no risk of wheel falling off hub.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-16-2013, 10:12 PM | #4 |
bimmerphile, technogeek
998
Rep 3,784
Posts
Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SoCal
|
A generous coating of anti-seize on the hub might help for future wheel removals.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-17-2013, 01:21 PM | #5 |
Captain
345
Rep 751
Posts |
A few quick taps on the tire with a rubber mallet work wonders.
|
Appreciate
1
|
11-17-2013, 03:50 PM | #6 |
European Editor
10532
Rep 22,992
Posts |
What I do is loosen all the wheel bolts and back them out about three full turns(or so). Then I move the car back and fourth(drive say 20 feet) and then jack up the car. This usually is enough to break the wheels free from the hubs. Sometimes I have to do it again and apply/lock the brakes up in my garage.
I have tried using anti seize on the back of the wheel to the rotor and also on the hub of the rotor. Nothing seems to help. My wheels are almost always "welded" onto the hubs.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2013, 01:11 AM | #8 |
Colonel
171
Rep 2,682
Posts |
I've also used this method with a couple bolts still in finger tight so the wheel doesn't pop right off.
I had aftermarket rims on mine with aluminium hubcentric spacers and I was on the ground literally kicking at the inside of the tyre and it wouldn't budge at all. This was the only thing that worked. Just make sure you don't lower the jack too quickly or too low as I'm sure it's not great to putting the full weight of the car only one or two lug bolts that aren't fully seated.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2013, 09:12 AM | #9 |
Colonel
381
Rep 2,926
Posts
Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NJ
|
Usually a few bangs with the rubber mallet does it for me too
__________________
Current: M2CS
Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi |
Appreciate
1
|
11-20-2013, 09:20 AM | #10 |
First Lieutenant
138
Rep 353
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2013, 09:31 AM | #11 |
Colonel
381
Rep 2,926
Posts
Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NJ
|
I lift.
__________________
Current: M2CS
Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi |
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2013, 02:07 PM | #12 |
Dr. J
26
Rep 175
Posts |
I actually use some all purpose grease on the hub of the axle and a little bit on the center part of the rim I'm putting on. Never had an issue with the wheel sticking to the car when I switch out my rims.
__________________
MG M3 6MT
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-21-2014, 08:05 PM | #13 |
Proud AARP member in good standing
28
Rep 635
Posts |
Hard to believe a $40k+ car can weld the rims to the hub. Last fall my CPO had 3 out of 4 rims rusted to the hubs. No matter what I tried the rims wouldn't budge. I finally took the car up to a tire dealer where they kick the crap to get the tires off. 3.5 months later, I'm trying to get the winters off and 3-4 came off with WD40, loosening and lowering the car down to the ground. One is just stuck. So off to the tire dealer in the AM to manhandle the tire off. And to top things off, I found a nail in the left rear run flat that needs to be removed. Hopefully it's not too deep and the tire can be saved.
Never had this problem with any car I owned. I can't believe this is normal.
__________________
2012 135i DCT, Lemans Blue/black leather, PPK1, PE, Stoptech Sport rotors and Sport pads, unhealthy crackles and burbles and an aging demonic driver. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-22-2014, 06:43 PM | #14 | |
Car Geek
3615
Rep 3,587
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-22-2014, 07:13 PM | #15 | |
Proud AARP member in good standing
28
Rep 635
Posts |
Quote:
My recently departed RX 8 looked almost factory new compared to the 135. Not a bit of rust around the hubs.
__________________
2012 135i DCT, Lemans Blue/black leather, PPK1, PE, Stoptech Sport rotors and Sport pads, unhealthy crackles and burbles and an aging demonic driver. Last edited by Overpar56; 03-22-2014 at 07:19 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 04:51 AM | #16 |
Private
3
Rep 52
Posts |
jkoral's method (above) saved me when the rubber mallet & kicking the rim failed to do loosen one of the wheels. After cleaning up the hub surface I applied nickel anti-seize. I don't know if this is better or worse than copper or zinc based anti seize in this application, given the potential for electrolysis(?)
In any case, that was 4 months ago. I've had the rims off a couple of times since with no fuss |
Appreciate
0
|
04-01-2014, 04:33 PM | #18 |
Enlisted Member
2
Rep 45
Posts |
Never lower jack without any bolts on the wheels! That's going to end in tears.
Use anti-seize and/or hit the tire at position 9,3,12,6. Suggest painting inner hub and ring with anti-rust primer too. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-01-2014, 11:44 PM | #19 |
AutoXer
34
Rep 683
Posts |
That's been working for me so far, but I do add some every 3rd or 4th wheel change.
__________________
2009 135i, Alpine White, 6MT, M-Sport, iDrive, iPod/USB, Heated Seats, Premium Sound, BMW Assist
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-09-2014, 07:48 PM | #20 | |
Private
9
Rep 75
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|