Help! Can't get Wheel/Tire off Truck

[Sledrock]

I removed lug nuts and wheel is Stuck, Big Time. I kicked on both sides of tires, rotated and kicked some more. Is it safe to pry between wheel and caliper (through holes in rim)?

Any ideas or other ways to get this #$%$#@@ off?

Thanks in Advance

[fredjacksonsan]

Dam, that's pretty bad. How long since you had the wheel off? I'd put some penetrating oil between the wheel and the disk, wait a bit, then you should be able to break it loose.

[Sledrock]

I had tires put on it about 6 months ago. I did spray penetrating oil around lug bolts (nuts are off) and around center hub and kicked some more - still stuck. I wonder if putting a butane torch flame around the the hub would help?

I had a simialer problem with my Prism a couple years ago when I had a flat. After much kicking, grunting and cussing, it finally came off. So far, none of that has worked with the Dodge.

[fredjacksonsan]

I'd reach in the backside, make sure to get the penetrating oil in between the hub and the wheel, and let it sit awhile. Is it just one wheel or all of them?

What year is the truck? Are these stock steel wheels, or an alloy/aftermarket?

I've heard (and found) that plain Coca-Cola works great for freeing rusted parts, the carbonation and acids work pretty well, so that's worth a try.

If you decide to pry, make sure you aren't hitting anything breakable, or you'll have extra repair$.

[Sledrock]

Thanks Fred, good idea, I'll try spraying from behind around hub.

Truck is jacked-up and on stands. Right wheel came off fairly easy. I was gonna put new brakes pads on and get the rotors turned.

It's a 1996 Ram 1500 2wd.

"Momma said there'd be days like this...."

[fredjacksonsan]

If it's the left side AND you need the rotors turned badly, it might be on there due to some heat from the rotor. If the Coke/etc don't work, a little heat may be the key.

[BleedDodge]

I did this on my mom's van a few days ago. The wheel wouldn't come off so I just put the lugs back on finger tight, and then drove 2 miles. Put the van back on the jack, spun the lugs off, and the wheel almost fell off itself.

[fredjacksonsan]

That's a good idea if everything else fails....

[Sledrock]

Gettin' there....

I got the wheel off, finally. After much more prying, kicking, cussing, I gave it one big pry and the damn thing popped off and almost knocked me off the stool I was sitting on. I was happy though: After all that grunt-work, it was like the Red Sea parted for me :-)

I've got the calipers off, the old pads off (man, were they thin), but NOW I can't get the Rotors off!!! It's like they're welded on! What gives?
If they're like Clint's 98 Dodge, (mine's a '96) they should just slide off - right? Help!!

[Austin8214]

your wheelbearing may be stuck on the spindle tap on it with a deadblow and see if that helps.

[Sledrock]

Thanks Austin! I'll check that. Maybe that's it....

I looked at new Rotors online. And I noticed they come with either just the rotor, or, with rotor And hub.

Question? Is the rotor supposed to slide off over the hub? My rotor/hub is so rusty and corroded, they look like One Piece.

If I remove the castle-nut holding the wheel bearing in place, will the hub (with frozen rotor) slide off in one piece, where I can then try to separate them?

This brake job is turning into a nightmare!

[Austin8214]

Originally Posted by Sledrock

Question? Is the rotor supposed to slide off over the hub? My rotor/hub is so rusty and corroded, they look like One Piece.

I am not sure if they are one piece or not the ones I did on my Father-in-laws 2wd was one piece but on my 97 4X4 they were seperate.

If I remove the castle-nut holding the wheel bearing in place, will the hub (with frozen rotor) slide off in one piece, where I can then try to separate them?

Yes if you remove the castlelated nut on the spindle the whole thing will slide right off.

This brake job is turning into a nightmare!

Hope this helps, also make sure to repack the wheelbearings if you have to remove them.

[Sledrock]

I finally "Got 'R' Done". Rotors and hubs Are One Piece. I guess what confused this old, fat boy was that a feller on here named Clint said his rotors slid right off after removing the calipers (on his '98). His article was so thorough, I couldn't believe he'd leave off removing castle-nut. Maybe he thought that was a 'given' or maybe his rotor really was separate from the hub.....

Anyway, thanks for everyones' help! I did repack inner/outer bearings and install new grease seals.
I Definately will be buying a cheap bearing packer before doing my Prism :-)

And I kinda like the feel of having a brake pedal :-)

[fredjacksonsan]

[Austin8214]

glad to hear it turned out ok for ya.