Wheels stuck to rotors? Any ideas on how to get them off?

[18TypeR-13922]

So..... nice day today, figured I'd rotate the tires. Loosened the lugs, jacked it up and got it on the jack stands, took the lugs off and all 4 wheels would not budge. Tried a rubber mallet on the tires but nothing. Any ideas how to get them freed? And what to do to prevent this next time?

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[VinRRR]

Give the tire a nice kick! Works for me every time.

 

[RedGiant217]

Likely stuck to the hub.

Hit the wheel with the rubber mallet. Not going to damage the wheel that way. Takes a much harder beating while you drive down the road.

Use a wire brush to take some rust off the hub. Then, put some anti seize on the hub before you put the wheels back on so it doesn't happen again.

 

[JSmoothBui]

Hit the top of the tire. But be careful if you’re swapping stock wheels because you can easily nick the brembos

 

[18TypeR-13922]

Thanks Everyone, will try again tomorrow.

 

[m_kluch]

Lay down on the ground and hit the inside of the tire with a large sledge hammer or the back side of a splitting maul. Swing hard but dont hit the edge of the wheel or youll dent it

 

[Rottboy]

.......... what to do to prevent this next time?

Using Molykote for decades on alloy wheels for all my vehicles. One application can last for years.

 

[shadow]

Give the tire a nice kick! Works for me every time.

I do the same. Just make sure the lug nuts are loose, but still on so the wheel won't come off and hit something or get scratched.

 

[civicmanic]

Take the lug nuts off, turn back on to the tire and kick it as often as it takes with the bottom of your shoe. To prevent it from sticking in the future apply anti seize on the rotor where it meets the back of the wheel.

 

[Hollywoo0220]

In this event, you can attach the straw to a can of Brake Cleaner and spray into the lug bolt(s). That will loosen enough area to wiggle the wheels off.
Ensure to use a wire brush to clean off the visible rust on the hub and back of the wheel that connects there. You can use a silicone spray over those areas or anti seize. Both would keep the seezing.
That is caused from sodium chloride, either in the air or from winters.
You’ll be better the next rotation...

 

[waterudoing]

I do the same. Just make sure the lug nuts are loose, but still on so the wheel won't come off and hit something or get scratched.

Back in my high school shop class, some kid kicked a wheel right off a car and scratched them. It was a teacher's new 3 series. Gago

 

[Volksparts]

I have a heavy duty racing Jack. I have done this with many cars and it works. So my trick is to take off all the lugs in that wheel, or at least loosen all of them if you are paranoid. I then lower the car ever so slowly(again very slow and not all the way to the ground) and then the wheel will pop off the hub. Works every time. Good luck.

 

[fitter_here]

Loosen the lug nuts a few turns, start the car, reverse or forward (not too fast) apply the brakes hard, it will loosen.
Ensure you put anti-seize afterwards
Good luck
Bonne chance

 

[123sillyboy123]

Put one nuts back on .. turn that nuts a few turn.. so it keeps thr wheel not falling..
Use bottom of your foot and Kick the tire side wall a few times .. it will come off. Always work.

 

[18TypeR-13922]

Thank you all for your advice. The brake cleaner and a tap with the mallet did it. There wasn't much rust but I wire brushed it any way. Got some Molykote from a friend so i won't have to worry about it again.

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