I like rotating my own wheels but am finding it very difficult to remove them. I have been told that I can just hit the inside of the tire to knock it off the hub, however, I am concerned this could damage the undercarriage and affect alignment. Does any have any thoughts or suggests?

 

I just kick it at the top of the tire to loosen the years of rust.

 

Do not be concerned about damaging things. The suspension spends its life bouncing off bumps and potholes. Its much stouter than your foot. Really.

Just take off the lugs, give a swift kick to the bottom edge of the tire, and it will pop off and into your hand (or down your shins if you aren't careful -- ouch).

You won't hurt it. I promise.

 

You won't hurt anything - wail on it. My rear tires took several minutes of pounding with a rubber mallet.
Once you finally get them off, apply a *thin* coat of grease on the edge of the hub where it contacts the wheel - that will make it easy the next time.

 

had a guy with a Toy' truck across the street ask for help when he couldn't get a factory wheel off the truck....also a "hub centric" set up.

Sit ur bu t t on the ground and kick the heck out of it at 6 then 12 then 9 then 3 and repeat until it comes free. Took some SERIOUS kicks b4 it came off. I've fought with MINI wheels nearly as hard. If this goes on for long shoot some PB-Blaster in the lug holes CAREFULLY ... you don't want it to get to brake components!!!!!

Ask the autopart store for 'anti-seize' ... a fancy grease that is heat tolerant ... you don't want melted grease finding its way to your brake components.

Look for the rusted spots on the hidden surfaces b4 you put things back together and clean off the rust with a wire brush or fine sand paper and apply the AS ... next time should be MUCH easier.

p.s. do this kicking with the car FIRMLY ON A JACK STAND and the wheels chocked .... most certainly not just a 'factory' jack.

 

Thanks for the help and the extra ideas!