Alloy Wheel Removal

[Geraint34]

Hi all,

I have an Avensis T3X (March 05 reg). I recently tried to remove my 16 inch alloy wheels so that I could rotate the front tyres. However, after removing all the wheel nuts (including the locking wheel nut), I tried to pull the wheel off and failed. Now, I am a pretty strong guy, but if I had pulled the wheel any harder the car would have come off the jack!

I was wondering if anyone else have had this problem? I have been to my local Toyota garage and they said that they have difficulty also, and that it is caused by corrosion between the alloy and the steel hub. They said that they have to hit the wheel off with a rubber mallet! I am dreading the day I have a puncture, as I will be one of those people who call the RAC out just to change a wheel, which is embarrasing!

Geraint

[dark andrew]

The best way to prevent this from happening again is to regularly change the wheels around (I normally do this every 6 months/6000 miles or so) and the only time I've had a wheel stick is when I've been lazy and not done this. Hope that helps.

[Geraint34]

Thanks for the advice. The last time the wheels were taken off were about 7 months ago. I do average about 20k a year, so I will certainly be rotating the wheels more often. Meanwhile, I guess it's a mallet job for me on the weekend then.

[AJO]

"I am dreading the day I have a puncture, as I will be one of those people who call the RAC out just to change a wheel, which is embarrasing!"

Don't feel embarrised, a couple of years ago i had a puncture on the M4 coming home from a car show ar Silverstone, pulled on to the hard shoulder got out the sissor jack jacked the car up took the wheel off, an artic lorry passed and blew the car off the jack. From that day til this i call them out, they have the safety equipment and also that is why you pay for your membership

Keep it between the white lines and drive safe

[chis]

Hi all,

I have an Avensis T3X (March 05 reg). I recently tried to remove my 16 inch alloy wheels so that I could rotate the front tyres. However, after removing all the wheel nuts (including the locking wheel nut), I tried to pull the wheel off and failed. Now, I am a pretty strong guy, but if I had pulled the wheel any harder the car would have come off the jack!

I was wondering if anyone else have had this problem? I have been to my local Toyota garage and they said that they have difficulty also, and that it is caused by corrosion between the alloy and the steel hub. They said that they have to hit the wheel off with a rubber mallet! I am dreading the day I have a puncture, as I will be one of those people who call the RAC out just to change a wheel, which is embarrasing!

Geraint

Hello

I had the same problem and was advised to put a smear of copperslip grease on the mating surface.

Take care not to get any on the brake disc /pad,worked a treat

[duncanda]

To help get the alloys off, loosen the wheels nuts, but don't remove them completely, and lower the jack until the tyre contacts the ground and the pressure of this should break the metal to metal bond. Once you get the alloy off, lightly smear copper grease on the mating surface of the alloys. Copper grease has a high melting point and so won't melt when the brakes get hot. For obvious reasons don't get it on the brake surfaces.

[cfc1]

Use a wire brush on the steel hub and on the inside of the bore hole on the wheel. It will also be worthwhile investing in one of the small trolley jacks from your local car accessory shop, these are more stable and you will be able to give the wheel a good whack to get it off.

This isn't only a problem with Toyota alloys, it happens with all alloys on all cars, a little general maintanence it all it takes to prevent it happening, it is a good idea at this time of year to remove the wheels and get some copperslip on the hubs, as the salt that is soon to be spread on our roads is the main cause of the problem.

[Geraint34]

Thanks for all your suggestions. This is the first car I have owned that has alloys fitted, so I have obviously not come accross this problem before. However, once I have managed to get the wheels off, I will endevour to put a smear of grease on the suggested areas.