front wheels stuck on.

[zipidachimp]

bought a '95 escort lx last november. runs great. BUT! can't get front wheels off. are they stuck or what?

[zipidachimp]

by the way, hello guys, I'm new here.
I bought my car with 171,000 kms for $3500.can$. 5 spd.
185/60/14 on front, 175/65/14 on rear. I need to replace 2 and rotate the other 2 but can't get the front wheels off. They look like they are held on by a centre nut which is peened over to the hub shaft.

If that is true, which I doubt, how do you change a flat in the boonies?

[mightymoose_22]

You don't need to mess with the center nut, that is only holding in the driveshaft and is not holding the wheel at all. All you need to be concerned with are the 4-5 lugnuts, and there should be nothing more to it than loosening them. If they are hard to get off they may just be overtightened (someone used an impact wrench and overdid it). Just get a big breaker bar and give it a yank. No secret here... comes off just like the back tires.

[zipidachimp]

thanks. with all nuts off, the wheels are truly stuck. guess I'll get me a bar. then go to a bar! lol

[mightymoose_22]

That's odd... I wonder if maybe one of the bolts is bent and is holding the wheel on? Does it even wiggle?
A big prybar between the wheel and the hub should get it moving.... strange that they are both stuck though. There really is nothing else there to hold the wheel on though.
I know it sounds dumb, but are you sure the front end is completely off the ground?

[zipidachimp]

I'm really not new to car repair. the wheels should have fallen off the studs when the jack went up. I don't want to damage anything on the front end using a prybar, so I think I'll take it to a shop. I need 2 new tires anyway. by the way, the stock tire is a 175/65/14.
this car came with 2 185/60/14's on the front. they have a smaller diameter than stock. should I buy new /60's or go back to the /65's?
thanks for the help.

[mightymoose_22]

Ok.. sorry to run the stupid stuff by you, but ya never know...

Ya got me stumped... I've never had wheels get stuck before. Maybe spray some kind of penetrating fluid back between the wheel and the hub and see if it frees anything up? I am under the impression that the wheels don't even budge... not even a wiggle. If it is wiggling but not coming off, the studs might be bent.

I think I have 175/65/14 on my car.

[slagathor]

zipidachimp,

I'm probably too late to help, but I had a similar thing happen on my 97 escort. The wheel was stuck on my car and I had to take it to get the tire replaced. When I got there, the mechanic just took a sledge hammer and tapped the wheel a bit. He said that the wheels will sometimes rust onto the car making them stick. Later I had to change the other front tire and the wheel stuck again. I just kicked it a few times (probably not the safest solution) and the wheel came right off. Hope this helps someone in the future.

Originally Posted by zipidachimp

bought a '95 escort lx last november. runs great. BUT! can't get front wheels off. are they stuck or what?

[zipidachimp]

thanks everyone for your help.
will try a rubber mallet or go to a shop. this is a great forum to get quick help.

[danmdevries]

Damn... someone got to it before me. Yeah, I have come across that problem many many times, simply take a swing at the tire with a sledge or at the rim with a rubber mallet, wheel should pop right off. Prying won't work, there's really nowhere to get enough force on the wheel. As with electronics, whack it, and if it doesn't work, get the BFH an whack it harder!

[amature]

Hey what about taking the car for a run with no log nuts. That'll get the tires off.

[zipidachimp]

free beer for the most creative answer!! must be present to win!!!

[MethodMan420]

Well like we always say around here beat it to fit paint it to match.

If it don't come off use a bigger hammer. That seems to fix most problems.

i had this problem with one of my cars I simply made a trip around the block got the brakes and wheels really hot and then the wheel came off easily. Just be sure not to touch the rotor... ; )

[homefree]

Yup i had the same trouble with mine 95 lx and what i did was kick the sides of the tire about 50 times it came off. for some reason they seem to get stuck on the center part of the rim.

[dxrflyboy]

A little penetrating oil on the hub area and a BFH (Big [FORD] Hammer) works every time! Leave a lug nut on loosely so the wheel doesn't go flying! Put a little anti-seize lubricant around the hub when you put the wheel back on to keep it from seizing on again.

185/60R14s are a little small for the Escort. 195/60R14 would be the right size 60 series for the car. 175/65R14 or 185/65R14 (preferred) are the standard tires.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DRIVING IT WITH THE LUG NUTS OFF TO GET IT LOOSE!!!!!