Problem Getting Wheels Off

Hornetman · 21-04-2006, 21:00

Dear All,

Just by shear chance I've never had to take the road wheels off my 2003 VRs Estate.

I now find that after removing all the wheel bolts I can't get one of the rear wheels to come off!

It’s on so tight the bolts might as well still be there!

I missing something obvious? Or is this some form of corrosion problem?

I’ve never owned a car with alloy wheels before so I wondered if this common and how the hell I get the wheel off?

Thanks

Hornetman

**VRStu** · 21-04-2006, 21:07

It's a well known corrosion issue. You'll need to use a strong boot to get it off and then smear some copper or silicone type grease on the hubs before replacing.

Lummox · 21-04-2006, 21:08

Steel brake disc + Alloy wheel = corrosion.

Remove all the wheel bolts. With the car well supported on axle stands lever the wheels off with a prybar between the rear of the rim and the suspension/hub.

yashicamat · 21-04-2006, 22:04

Another technique I've been told (and used) is to have all 5 wheel nuts in, undone a few turns so there's some slack, the lower the car's weight back onto the wheel (and drive it forwards a few yards, and back a few). Worked for me the first time . . . . since then I've got an industrial sized tin of copper slip, although even a tiny amount of the stuff seems to go on for loads of tasks (brakes, engine bits etc. etc).

Lummox · 21-04-2006, 22:06

I wouldnt advise doing that though, the weight and stress on the threads of the wheel bolts wont do them any favours.

devonutopia · 21-04-2006, 22:26

I've not had this issue in some time as I swap wheels more often than I really need to.

But I did find a good kick on the tyre at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock (in turn) freed it up in the end. (Done best with it well up on axle stands as Ross says, and sat on your a55 so maximum kick power can be accurately applied

)

bryand · 21-04-2006, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by yashicamat

. . . since then I've got an industrial sized tin of copper slip, although even a tiny amount of the stuff seems to go on for loads of tasks (brakes, engine bits etc. etc).

I'm still using a tube of Copa-Slip I got to do the back brakes on my AlfaSud in 1980. Anybody know if this stuff goes off after 26 years?

Hornetman · 21-04-2006, 23:07

Thanks Guys,

I guessed it might well be a steel v alloy issue! Copper grease I have plenty of so that part will be easy.

The getting it off I think will be a mighty fight! Hey Ho!

Dr Zoidberg · 21-04-2006, 23:25

My octavia wheels were pretty securely attached and that was only 18000 miles and 7 months since the tyres were changed.

A good kicking and levering them with the tyre iron popped them off and a good spray of copper grease went on the hub before they went back on.

ric04vrs · 22-04-2006, 00:59

i did post a tip about this in the fabia tips thread a bit ago , advising that its a good idea to copper slip the wheel hubs at the earliest possible time to save the aggrevation that you've now encountered , apparently skoda never ? take the wheels off during a service , cant remember who posted that though . giving it a good boot should do the trick , just leave one wheel bolt in loose to catch the wheel when it flys off , wire brush the hub ,clean the corrosion from inside the rim and apply a smear of the aforementioned copper slip

calderscot · 22-04-2006, 11:01

I have seen this problem with alloy wheels before. You can try jack up car, supported by axle stand and use a wooden block against the rear outer wheel rim, give a hard tap with a hammer. Turn the wheel 180 deg. and tap again.
You may have to strike quite hard depending on how long the wheel has been stuck on. Smear the hub mating surfaces lightly with Copper-Slip
When fitting the wheel back on.
Winter road salt plays havoc with alloy wheels

octav.ed · 22-04-2006, 11:03

i had 2 whack mine with rubber mallet, again 3 an 9 oclock did the trick. dont understand y skoda dont put copper grease on in the factory?

Lummox · 22-04-2006, 16:08

Its best not to hit the wheel tyre, even with a rubber mallet.

Best idea is to lever the wheel, comes off alot easier..

If you want it to look tidier than copper slip which can look terrible IMHO get a couple of tubes of 'plastilube' from your local VAG dealer. It works very well on hubs and brakes.

31-05-2006, 12:03

if there real tight i sometimes spray a bit of wd40 or similar on join between hub and alloy, leave for about 15 mins then chap with rubber hammer normally gets them off.

mind not to spray any oil on the BRAKES!!

meames · 31-05-2006, 12:13

Is this normal then for a car only 6 months old - one of mine is stuck fast (I got one off with a good kick) and we are going to get it on the jacks at the weekend.

Lummox · 31-05-2006, 12:55

Yeah its normal.

As said its a chemical reaction.

cheezemonkhai · 31-05-2006, 13:01

Why don't they put a small plastic or rubber spacer thing a few mm thick in there and then that would surely stop any of this problem?

Lummox · 31-05-2006, 13:03

Rubber and/or plastic would compress i guess and not at a given constant rate. Metal to metal contact is the only way to assure the wheel is on properly i would summise. However a little copper slip wouldnt hurt.

cheezemonkhai · 31-05-2006, 15:56

well yeah but if the plastic is only 1/2mm thick it would compress flat when the wheel is done up, kind of like a clingfilm skin over the wheel.

Change it when you get tyres changed if possible, problem solved.

Am I missing something important here such as the wheel being out of balance after this?

kentzer · 01-06-2006, 09:45

Same problem with the Golf I had before the Octy. It was only 8,000 miles out of the factory and it had the same problem (I was planning to upgrade the wheels, so tried to take the standards off to fit the new ones, and couldn't).

VW don't take the wheels off in a service either, as they were stuck fast when I got a puncture about 500 miles after a service. Had to call out VW Assistance

to change the tyre for me (I was on my way to a client site & had to look smart

). The VWA guy couldn't believe that they didn't have to remove the rear wheels on a main service.

Cheers

Ben

cheezemonkhai · 01-06-2006, 14:34

On my service they remove all 4 and rotate them (unless you ask them not to)

21-04-2006, 21:00	#1
Hornetman Briskodian Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Problem Getting Wheels Off Dear All, Just by shear chance I've never had to take the road wheels off my 2003 VRs Estate. I now find that after removing all the wheel bolts I can't get one of the rear wheels to come off! It’s on so tight the bolts might as well still be there! I missing something obvious? Or is this some form of corrosion problem? I’ve never owned a car with alloy wheels before so I wondered if this common and how the hell I get the wheel off? Thanks Hornetman

21-04-2006, 21:07	#2
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,856 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off It's a well known corrosion issue. You'll need to use a strong boot to get it off and then smear some copper or silicone type grease on the hubs before replacing. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

21-04-2006, 21:08	#3
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Steel brake disc + Alloy wheel = corrosion. Remove all the wheel bolts. With the car well supported on axle stands lever the wheels off with a prybar between the rear of the rim and the suspension/hub. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

21-04-2006, 22:04	#4
yashicamat 114whp per ton Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire Posts: 2,670 Members Car: Nissan Primera GT Thanks: 37 Thanked 34 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Another technique I've been told (and used) is to have all 5 wheel nuts in, undone a few turns so there's some slack, the lower the car's weight back onto the wheel (and drive it forwards a few yards, and back a few). Worked for me the first time . . . . since then I've got an industrial sized tin of copper slip, although even a tiny amount of the stuff seems to go on for loads of tasks (brakes, engine bits etc. etc). __________________ Rob Nissan Primera GT in Silver '56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten 2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

21-04-2006, 22:06	#5
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off I wouldnt advise doing that though, the weight and stress on the threads of the wheel bolts wont do them any favours. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

21-04-2006, 22:26	#6
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,103 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 352 Times in 295 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off I've not had this issue in some time as I swap wheels more often than I really need to. But I did find a good kick on the tyre at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock (in turn) freed it up in the end. (Done best with it well up on axle stands as Ross says, and sat on your a55 so maximum kick power can be accurately applied ) __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

21-04-2006, 23:07	#8
Hornetman Briskodian Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Thanks Guys, I guessed it might well be a steel v alloy issue! Copper grease I have plenty of so that part will be easy. The getting it off I think will be a mighty fight! Hey Ho!

21-04-2006, 23:25	#9
Dr Zoidberg Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,756 Members Car: Octavia II 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 30 Thanked 195 Times in 146 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off My octavia wheels were pretty securely attached and that was only 18000 miles and 7 months since the tyres were changed. A good kicking and levering them with the tyre iron popped them off and a good spray of copper grease went on the hub before they went back on. __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

22-04-2006, 00:59	#10
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,169 Members Car: silver Fabia VRS Thanks: 31 Thanked 188 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off i did post a tip about this in the fabia tips thread a bit ago , advising that its a good idea to copper slip the wheel hubs at the earliest possible time to save the aggrevation that you've now encountered , apparently skoda never ? take the wheels off during a service , cant remember who posted that though . giving it a good boot should do the trick , just leave one wheel bolt in loose to catch the wheel when it flys off , wire brush the hub ,clean the corrosion from inside the rim and apply a smear of the aforementioned copper slip __________________ not so bored now

22-04-2006, 11:01	#11
calderscot Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 34 Members Car: Skoda Superb Classic Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off I have seen this problem with alloy wheels before. You can try jack up car, supported by axle stand and use a wooden block against the rear outer wheel rim, give a hard tap with a hammer. Turn the wheel 180 deg. and tap again. You may have to strike quite hard depending on how long the wheel has been stuck on. Smear the hub mating surfaces lightly with Copper-Slip When fitting the wheel back on. Winter road salt plays havoc with alloy wheels

22-04-2006, 11:03	#12
octav.ed Briskodian Join Date: May 2005 Location: belfast Posts: 3,845 Members Car: skoda octavia tdi 130 bhp [170] Thanks: 98 Thanked 64 Times in 56 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off i had 2 whack mine with rubber mallet, again 3 an 9 oclock did the trick. dont understand y skoda dont put copper grease on in the factory? __________________ when i die, bury me upside down so the world can kiss my a.s.s "I spent all my money on cars, booze and women - the rest I just wasted" - George Best. I was so poor growing up...If I wasn't born a boy..I'd have nothing to play with. -Rodney Dangerfield

22-04-2006, 16:08	#13
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Its best not to hit the wheel tyre, even with a rubber mallet. Best idea is to lever the wheel, comes off alot easier.. If you want it to look tidier than copper slip which can look terrible IMHO get a couple of tubes of 'plastilube' from your local VAG dealer. It works very well on hubs and brakes. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details. Last edited by Lummox; 27-10-2006 at 10:12.

31-05-2006, 12:03	#14
redline Guest Posts: n/a Members Car:	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off if there real tight i sometimes spray a bit of wd40 or similar on join between hub and alloy, leave for about 15 mins then chap with rubber hammer normally gets them off. mind not to spray any oil on the BRAKES!!

31-05-2006, 12:13	#15
meames Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Doncaster Posts: 127 Members Car: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Is this normal then for a car only 6 months old - one of mine is stuck fast (I got one off with a good kick) and we are going to get it on the jacks at the weekend.

31-05-2006, 12:55	#16
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Yeah its normal. As said its a chemical reaction. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

31-05-2006, 13:01	#17
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Why don't they put a small plastic or rubber spacer thing a few mm thick in there and then that would surely stop any of this problem? __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

31-05-2006, 13:03	#18
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Rubber and/or plastic would compress i guess and not at a given constant rate. Metal to metal contact is the only way to assure the wheel is on properly i would summise. However a little copper slip wouldnt hurt. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

31-05-2006, 15:56	#19
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off well yeah but if the plastic is only 1/2mm thick it would compress flat when the wheel is done up, kind of like a clingfilm skin over the wheel. Change it when you get tyres changed if possible, problem solved. Am I missing something important here such as the wheel being out of balance after this? __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment. Last edited by cheezemonkhai; 31-05-2006 at 16:00.

01-06-2006, 09:45	#20
kentzer Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 63 Members Car: Octavia vRS Estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off Same problem with the Golf I had before the Octy. It was only 8,000 miles out of the factory and it had the same problem (I was planning to upgrade the wheels, so tried to take the standards off to fit the new ones, and couldn't). VW don't take the wheels off in a service either, as they were stuck fast when I got a puncture about 500 miles after a service. Had to call out VW Assistance to change the tyre for me (I was on my way to a client site & had to look smart ). The VWA guy couldn't believe that they didn't have to remove the rear wheels on a main service. Cheers Ben __________________ VW Touran Sport 140TDi (with Octavia Boot Net) Renault Clio Expression dCi Just waiting for Skoda to produce a Touran clone

01-06-2006, 14:34	#21
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Problem Getting Wheels Off On my service they remove all 4 and rotate them (unless you ask them not to) __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

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