why do wheels get so darn stuck on rotors?

it is beyond annoying...

i haven't had this problem with ANY other vehicle i've ever owned.

but when i need to take a wheel off, i ***HAVE*** to bang it like 30 times with a 3 lb sledge and it leaves lots of marks on the rim. my rims look awful.

anyway, i was wondering if there is something i'm doing wrong or it's just the way it is.

it's really inconvenient because it requires carrying a 3 lb hammer along in the vehicle at all times as part of the emergency package along with a jack and tire iron...

 

Corrosion is causing them to stick.

Why in the world would you hit the rim though? Just sit down and kick the tire, alternating sides. or take the sledge to the tire.

 

Mine come off with no problem whatsoever. I don't know what could be going on with yours. Good luck figuring it out.

 

Jeremy would go straight for the chainsaw.

 

mine practically falls off as im taking the lugs off....sounds like a personal problem to me

 

When you have the wheels off, spread some anti-seize on the hub and around the studs. Aluminum wheels against a steel hub. Dissimilar metals in contact (assuming you have aluminum wheels) corrode fast. It sucks getting a flat and not being able to get the rim off the truck. I also do this to the rear behind the drum a little to help to be able to remove the drums. Here in the Northeast, it's a problem.

 

i am not a troll.

i tried hitting the tire but the effect of doing so is much weaker as the tire absorbs much of the impact and there is little left to be transferred to the wheel body that meets the rotor. trust me, i tried it many times.

i think it must be corrosion then.

i have also been variably successful in the past levering it off with an angled 36" pry bar

and yes, the rim is aluminum

 

anyway, i am sad that there are so many a55holes in this thread, most in fact, with a few exceptions

consider these possibilities:

1. you live in a different area with less humidity, meaning less corrosion

2. your wheels are different than mine (mine are aluminum)

i'm not sure where the mechanic community ranks in regard to a55holism but i can see most of you as tattoo artists.

the wheels get stuck to the rotor beyond belief, alright? this is the 5th vehicle i've owned and i never had this problem before. the sledge against the rim was the ONLY thing that worked, i tried a 36" pry bar before and i use the sledge only when that fails

 

Leaving the lugs on loose (about 2 turns away from the wheel) and driving around in circles can sometimes bust them loose as well.

 

i have not had this on my taco. but other cars’trucks i have takin tire off i have used a big rubber mallet on the back side(in side) of the wheels usually about 2 or 3 hits and they come loose.

 

try slowly putting weight back on the tire by lowering the jack once the lug nuts are all off. then unweight it again, face away from the tire, and give it a nice hard horse kick with your heel. mine have been stuck pretty good before, and that little trick seemed to work out pretty well. to prevent it in the future, just rub a very thin layer of grease on the part of the rim that contacts the rotor next time you have the wheels off.

 

First off, don't hit the rim with the sledge, hit the tire. The marks on the rim could have easily been avoided by hitting the tire instead. Also, when you put the wheels on, put some anti-sieze on the back of the rim and/or the hub. I have the TRD Sport wheels and they've never siezed onto the hubs.

 

rubber mallet?

or place a piece of thick rubber, like a piece of tire, on the spot of the rim you are about to hit with the sledge??

 

The anti-seize on the hub suggested earlier is your best bet. Before applying it, however, take some light grit sand paper and gently remove any rust on the hub/wheel mating surfaces.

 

Depending on how often you service your vehicle and the weather conditions it probably can be prevented. Take a wire brush before re-installing the wheel and brush all the rust/buildup off the entire mating service of the hub (not the rotor ) also be sure to brush the hub flange (the circular lip the wheel sits on). After that brush the backside of the rim as well, making sure to get the part that attaches to the hub flange as well. I do notice that Toyota trucks get dirty pretty quick, even with proper cleaning at each tire rotation so don't feel bad. Kicking the tire is the best way you can free up wheel, no need to damage your wheel. If it's so terrible and you feel comfortable.. have a buddy ready to catch the tire from the front side and lay down and kick the shit out of the tire from the back side.. That usually is the final trick on BMW's that have offset rims and are never taken off until the next tire change. Hope this helps.. Also anti seize is a big no no.. if you feel you have to use that crap, be sure and spray the entire service with parts/brake cleaner once i is off. That is not something you want to have in between your hub and wheel. And yes we are cruel, but eventually someone will cave and give you some valuable information

 

He already beats on his wheels with a sledge, don't give him anymore ideas!

 

This happens with hub centric wheels.As said, use some anti-seize or equivalent.

Don't hit the tire. You can break or weaken a ply in the sidewall.

Get a large dead blow hammer or rubber mallet and hit the inside of the rim. Rotate 90* or so between hits.

 

I use white lithium grease on the back of the rims, no more problems of rims sticking.