Can't get the tire off!

OK, so I've skinned my knuckles, banged my head a few times, and have run out of patience. So I'm turning to you guys, the experts.

Here's the story: I was out hiking, 6 miles down a forest service road from the main highway, and I got a flat tire. When I tried to put the spare on, it seemed to be very tight around the center hub, basically a metal cap. I had to force the lug nuts on several times until they were tight....very tight.

Took the truck to the shop the next day to have a new tire put on (irreparable: sidewall damage) and they couldn't get the spare back off to put on the new tire. With no other choices, I brought the truck home, jacked it up, tried getting it off myself and ended up chiseling off the center cap to see if that would help. It didn't. (And yes, I did take off the lug nuts first)

I've tried pushing, pulling, prying, praying and cursing to no avail.

My only other idea is to get a wheel puller and try to work it off that way but I'm not sure if that's the way to go. Not wanting to spend a fortune on one, either.

By the way, I live in the sticks and I'm an hour away from any town/city so it's not like there's a AutoZone right around the corner.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to get back out hiking.

98 Tacoma

BD

 

try putting lug nuts back on,leaving them a thread or two loose,drive back and forth in driveway and see if it come frree of center hub

 

Wow, good luck, I have never had anything like that happen.
I like the loosnut suggestion, he should know.

 

Or jack it up and leave one lug nut on a couple threads and smack it with a dead blow a few times.

 

Good idea. Tried it but it's just stuck on there way too hard. I even drove on the shoulder of the road, over rocks, etc. but no luck. Any other ideas?

 

That's a great way to break off wheel studs. I would go the dead blow hammer route.

 

Subd to see the out come.

Very strange. Never heard of that happening before.

 

It sounds like the it was the wrong rim...I would try heat...if not, start cutting the rim and get a pry bar or chisel/wedge behind it.

Howard

 

I think you're right about being the wrong size rim since it required so much force to get it all the way on. By the way, I'm not sure what is meant by a "dead blow hammer".

 

Dead blow is a hammer, usually plastic, with beads or sand inside to deaden the blow.

 

Tough to answer but check here for specifics:

Dead Blow Hammer info

Good luck to the OP, I'm guessing it's torch time.

Or drill & tap a pair of holes 180deg apart like the rear brake drums are designed for removal.

 

Not sure I understand how hitting the lug nut would loosen the rim...

Anyway, the closest thing I have is a rubber mallet.

 

No need for a dead blow since the rim is scrap...I believe destructive removal is in order.

Howard

 

you might try like the one guy said put the lugs on it loose, then take a floor jack and jack the other wheel off the ground with the jack sideways so it can roll, then heat the hell out of it, then grab the side of truck and start rocking it back and forth hard

 

Put a couple of lugs loosely on the rim then start the truck and put in gear. Now hit the throttle, crank the steering wheel and slam on the brakes. It might take a few attempts.

 

I might try lifting the wheel, pulling the lug nuts and using a bottle jack from the other side, maybe braced against a tree, rockery, or even the opposing wheel.

 

Hit the wheel not the lugs. Put a nut on so if/when the wheel comes off from the hitting it won't fly across the room.

 

Sledgehammer & leather gloves

 

I'd suggest against using the opposing wheel.
You had to break the center cap off? If you can get the wheel off without damaging it, it would probably fit without the extra metal from the cap.

What I would do:
Jack that wheel up and put jack stands under two points that will support that corner (you're gonna be under it and 2 are better than 1). Remove all lug nuts. Drain air from tire. Put board across back of wheel. Give it a few smacks with mallet or sledge hammer. Rotate wheel 90*. Repeat.
Once the wheel is off, remove all material remaining from center cap. Check if it will go back on without having to use force (if the wheel and tire are in damaged from any previous attempts).

 

Do the loose nut thing it works just shift forward reverse several times.