Removing a tire stuck on a car without harming the rim can be tricky. Here's how to pull it off.
Introduction
Remove a rusted-on wheel with rust penetrant, a hand maul and a block of wood. Prevent rusting with anti-seize lubricant.
You were all psyched up for a quick tire rotation—until you found a rusted-on wheel. Here’s how to “unstick” a wheel and prevent it from sticking again.
You’ll need an 18-in. length of 2×2, a can of spray rust penetrant and a hand maul. You’ll also want to jack up the car, support it with jack stands and remove the lug nuts.
Materials Required
- Anti-seize lubricant
- Rust penetrant
Project step-by-step (3)
Apply penetrating fluid
Spray a generous amount of rust penetrant into each mounting hole. Let it sit for five minutes. Rotate the tire a half turn and reapply the spray.
Knock the wheel free
Place the end of a 2×2 on the outer edge of the wheel and smack the wood with the maul, just enough to create some breaking force and vibration. Rotate the tire a quarter turn and repeat the smack/rotate procedure until the wheel is free.
Prevent future wheel sticking
Clean the rust penetrant and surface rust from the mounting surfaces. Then apply a light coat of anti-seize lubricant.
Anti-seize lubricant
This special lubricant stops rust.
Clean the mounting surface on the brake drum/rotor or hub with a wire brush. Then coat the surface (never the studs) with a light coat of anti-seize lubricant.