MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: f1fan on December 01, 2012, 02:50:33 pm

Title: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: f1fan on December 01, 2012, 02:50:33 pm
I'm trying to swap my wheels over from my 17" summer Monzas to my 17" winter Monzas.

I've started at the left rear and immediately failed as I can't get alloy off.  I've obviously undone all 5 bolts, the car is jacked up so the tyre is clear of the road but it won't budge a bit.  As much as I pull it, jig it around it doesnt come off, it just rocks the whole car around.  I'm scared to hit it man handle it too much as I'm scared I'll knock the car off the jack!

Any ideas how to get the wheel off?  Am I doing something really stupid?

Thanks guys
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: edd666999 on December 01, 2012, 02:52:35 pm
Hit it with rubber hammer.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: EddieA on December 01, 2012, 02:53:31 pm
place one bolt back in losely, and then gently lower the car down on the jack. make sure you dont just drop the jack down though. this always seems to work for me qwhen they get stuck on
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: skard on December 01, 2012, 02:54:01 pm
You been booting the very edge of the tyre with your heel or a rubber mallet, trying to rock it off?
Put another wheel or something that'll absorb a potential fall from the jack, under the sill further up.

You're best persisting now, than at a roadside in the dark with no tools whilst needing to change to the spare!

When you get it off, put a bit copperslip on the hub face to prevent it happening next time!
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: bacillus on December 01, 2012, 02:54:19 pm
If you don't want to give the wheel a bash, reinstall all 5 bolts but leave them loose. Remove the jack and the weight of the car should dislodge the stuck rim.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: f1fan on December 01, 2012, 03:01:45 pm
I'll go and give those all a try now! Ta
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: Greeners on December 01, 2012, 03:15:58 pm
I usually use a large towel to cover the wheel, then with my back to the wheel use the sole of my shoe to persuade it off from the top edge.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: mad_pete on December 01, 2012, 04:09:42 pm
I'd put the 5 bolts on loose and lower and rock the car as required.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: 182_blue on December 01, 2012, 04:23:00 pm
A big sledge hammer does it for me on the inside edge, protect the wheel though or use a rubber headed one like mine.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: f1fan on December 01, 2012, 06:57:41 pm
Had to resort to gently hitting the wheel with a rubber mallet until it came unstuck.  Fortunately the other three came off pretty easy.  Got my Hankook Icebears on now... Bring on the snow  :grin:
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: rdfcpete on December 01, 2012, 07:29:43 pm
Do this, but tie the chain to the wheel concerned. Job done  :happy2:









































Obviously don't really do that.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: bigmig95 on December 01, 2012, 08:32:48 pm
Tried all of the methods suggested except the sledge hammer without success and one of my colleagues at work suggested boil the kettle, let it cool a little and pour on the alloy around the centre.  Did two kettle fulls and it came off straight away.
Title: Re: Help! I can't get my wheels off, they're stuck on!
Post by: f1fan on December 02, 2012, 05:38:50 pm
Tried all of the methods suggested except the sledge hammer without success and one of my colleagues at work suggested boil the kettle, let it cool a little and pour on the alloy around the centre.  Did two kettle fulls and it came off straight away.

That's a good idea, bit like opening a stuck marmite jar lid!