Forum Discussion

slacker_cruster's avatar
slacker_cruster
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013

Why did my alloy wheel stick...how do I get it off?

I have a 2011 F350 with a lightweight Northstar on it. I was taking off the left rear alloy wheel and it wont come off. It seems stuck on the thread studs. I tried banging it with a rubber mallet, but no go. The right wheel came off fine.

What causes the wheels to stick like this? It is removed once a year for snow tires, so it is not like it has never been off. I did have a wheel stick like this before, but it came off after some pulling.

Any idea how to get the wheel off? When I get it off should I try to get the holes opened up on the wheel to avoid sticking in the future?

Thanks!
Truck Campers
  • slacker_cruster's avatar
    slacker_cruster
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2013
    Looks like a common problem. Will try the wood block and sledge tomorrow. I guess you have to travel with one too, if you ever get a flat.

    Why do they design problem childs?

    The old wheels may have been ugly, but they didn't need a forum to take them off.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2013
    "leave the lug nuts one turn loose and drive around a bit to break it loose" I tried that with our F150 and it didn't help. I ended up wrecking the rim to get it off.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2013
    oh... I read it wrong thinking it had something to do with photography, looked it up and see it's properties. (never mind.)
  • GMT830's avatar
    GMT830
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2013
    d3500ram wrote:
    Apply a thin coat of "Never-Seez" type of stuff to the mating surfaces when re-installing to help prevent future problems.


    I use Fluid Film. Awesome stuff
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2013
    ... Or leave the lug nuts one turn loose and drive around a bit to break it loose.

    Would 'prolly work, but I would not want to risk the chance of bungling the stud theads... and there is always the chance that something will come up, get distracted and ya' might not get to completing the chore... I would not want to open up the chance of having a wheel come off with this practice should one forger and then start driving the next day thinking all is good. Be SUPER diligent with this type of practice.

    JMHO.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2013
    Apply a thin coat of "Never-Seez" type of stuff to the mating surfaces when re-installing to help prevent future problems.
  • GMT830's avatar
    GMT830
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2013
    Corrosion between the alloy and steel/iron.

    You can use a bigger hammer on the tires, 8lb sledge. Or leave the lug nuts one turn loose and drive around a bit to break it loose.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2013
    My daughter's Mini was like that. What I read is that you loosen the nuts and slowly lower the vehicle to break the wheel loose. It worked for the Mini
  • JoeChiOhki's avatar
    JoeChiOhki
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2013
    It's just rust build up on the hub itself, stick a good wooden block on the back of the edge of the rim and give a couple of good thumps with a 5lb sledge and it should break free after a bit.

    I wouldn't alter the holes, that's just asking for problems later on.

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