Wheel stuck

[mikemock]

I recently replace my tires had observed in interesting phenomenon that distrubs me. The guys replaceing the my tires removed all the lug nuts and had a a very hard time removing the wheel. The wheel seem to be bonded to the axel. The had to use a mallet to get it off. They had explaind that they had a different car that took them several hours to remove the wheel.

I am concerned that one day I will get a flat tire and won't be able to remove the wheel. I think this can even be dangerous if I get a flat in the rain or in winter when the ground may be slippery, or if I cant find perfectly level ground to jack up my truck.

Has anyone else had this problem, and what is the best way to prevent it.
Can the tire be lubricated, and with what kind of lubricant?

[n2oiroc]

spread anti sieze compound on the hub of the truck where the wheel touches.

[cookiemech]

. . . and before you do that, put a small wire wheel on an electric drill and clean up the mating surfaces on both wheel and hub.

I now have a six-pound dead-blow hammer so that we can always get the wheels off my friend's Tundra (with alloy wheels). That's why I have steel wheels on mine.

[mikemock]

I guess I will have to remove the wheels now and clean them up.

I was hoping that there is some sort of lube that can be applied that will be safe for the metals involved (alloy wheels and steel axle/brakes).

I can't imagine that hammering on the tire with a large mallet is good for the alignment?

[ICON]

It happens w/alloys and steel rims since the hub isn't coated to prevent it from corroding, it bonds itself to the rim. Worse w/alloys due to dissimilar metals corroding faster than like metals when in contact with each other. Best solution is to wire brush the corrosion off the hub and rim then apply anti-seize to hub and lugs then reinstall. Makes taking everything apart much easier. I also anti-seize just about every bolt i remove for easy removal next time. I wouldn't worry about the alignment as much as a bent rim from the hammer, but when i do come across stuck rims usually a good kick to one side of the tire pops it loose.

[Yellbird]

I use a product called Wheel Mate which is 0.030 of an inch and goes between the hub and the wheel. Put one on each wheel and the wheels comes off with just a tap, problem solved. Got mine from AutoBarn.

Originally Posted by mikemock

I recently replace my tires had observed in interesting phenomenon that distrubs me. The guys replaceing the my tires removed all the lug nuts and had a a very hard time removing the wheel. The wheel seem to be bonded to the axel. The had to use a mallet to get it off. They had explaind that they had a different car that took them several hours to remove the wheel.

I am concerned that one day I will get a flat tire and won't be able to remove the wheel. I think this can even be dangerous if I get a flat in the rain or in winter when the ground may be slippery, or if I cant find perfectly level ground to jack up my truck.

Has anyone else had this problem, and what is the best way to prevent it.
Can the tire be lubricated, and with what kind of lubricant?