i just got the R90's to replace my current Hartge Union Jack, but i ran into a problem with the rear wheel, eventhough i removed all the wheel bolts (4 of them), i couldn't take the wheel out, i tried some kicking and knocking it but it wouldn't come loose. Any suggestions of what to do?

PS. I haven't use it for like 3 days and it's raining theseday, is it possible that rust caused it?

thank you very much

 

This is common in damp climates. Rust and corrosion hold the wheel on. You need to safely kick or bang the tire from the back side. Be carful not to kick the car off your jack stand.

 

If you search you can find many instances of this.
Freaked me out the first time. The hubcentric rings 'freeze' onto the wheel. I used a rubber mallet to bang on the inside of the tires repeatedly until they let go. Fortunately I had seen something on here about it so I didn't panic. Just keep hitting it, repeatedly. Then hit it some more. DOUBLE check that your car is firmly on the jack stands. My rears were on MUCH more firmly than the fronts.

Before installing the new wheel, clean up the ring on the car (there's likely a bit of rust on it) and lightly grease the inside ring of the wheel.

 

usually this is caused by rust...it acts as glue and literally sticks the wheel to the hub. It happens on other car makes and models, too, but seems prevalent on MINIs for some reason. I've seen guys at the tire shop use a thick rubber mallet to remove stuck wheels... pound on them from the inside and this usually does the trick. Or put a length of 2x4 between the tire and the rubber mallet to help avoid damage to your rims (that's why it''s also best to whack it from the inside.)

good luck,

-boognish

 

Hi SiPower

This is Gee (NobbyS)..we met via the other site! You may have to pull the wheel much harder! Sometimes the wheel hub can harden up and tighten itself. Alternatively you can bring her to my Cockpit! My shop is in Kingkaew road..far from you? Free of charge off course!

Oh! Got my JCW the other day...love it. But just had the windows tinted so have not had a chance to drive it much.

Please email me so I can send you my phone number etc.We have to meet soon..should ask K Mai as well...!!

Cheers

 

Support the car down low. sit facing the wheel; lean back & kick the rim/tire with the bottom of your feet L side R side L side R.... off it comes.

 

thanks guys, but actually i tried the kicking till my foot hurts, and still it wouldn't come off. Sorry i didn't a search before asking, it's just that i was panicking big time Still i don't know what to do because i tried all the things you guys mentioned including kicking from the inside. Should i take it out to get it running for a while, will it remove the rust?

 

Hi Beau

This is Gee (NobbyS).we met on the other site..remember? Anyway just want to let you know that if you try all available techniques and still unable to take them off, please come to my Cockpit (located on Kingkaew road..not too far from you I hope!) My guys could do it for you,no prob...FOC na!!)

Oh! got my MCS JCW the other day...love it so much:smile: ...have not had much chance to drive her though! Just had the windows tinted.

We definitely should meet up soon. Should ask Mai to come along too.

Cheers

ps. PM me your phone number so I can call you about the location of my Cockpit.(if needed!! no string attach!! )

 

I used a rubber mallet and hit the inside of the wheel until it started coming loose. FYI, it took several very hard hits.

Prior to that, I had tried the method of leaving the lugs on finger tight, driving around and slamming the brakes...didn't work.

 

If all else fails, install what you can and throw the rest in the back, go to a tire store and explain your problem. The embarrassment will be temporary and you'll leave wearing your new shoes.

 

yep yep i'll go the shop near my house and let them handle the problem tomorrow, my feet hurt now haha

 

pm sent!

 

If anyone hasn't posted this yet (too lazy to read), loosen the lugs, then hand tighten them without a wrench, start your engine, do a slow circle in a parking lot or a 3 point turn and it should break it off the rusted hub.

dont kick your car. could damage your alignment or even knock
the weights off the wheels. gently tap with a mallet if it's not too
stubborn.

 

If I were doing it again, I'd do the lug-loosen slow driving.
But I hadn't heard of that method -- I suppose I risked alignment and wheel-weights when I loosened them with a sledge hammer and a 2x4 wood block.

I avoided hitting the wheel rim with the sledge by placing the 4" side of the wood block plumb (squarely and evenly touching) the inside of the rim.
I ended up swinging and hitting 3-5 times with just about all I had to get them off.
This was last June or so on my 2005 September build -- only 10 months after it was built.

I used a light coat of Permatex Anti-seize to prevent binding next time.

 

I loosened the lug bolts about 2-3 turns drove forward a few feet and hit the brakes hard. That broke the wheel loose enough to remove the wheel after I jacked it back up.

 

When I was installing my swaybar, I tried this method but even with using the e-brake to lock up the rear wheels, I couldn't get one off. I had to resort to the mallet.

 

Mine was stucked too. I just use a hammer, slightly hit the tire from inside until the wheel is loosen, again is hitting on the tire , not the rim. Only about two, three hits made the job done.

 

I have had this same issue on a number of cars.


For the MINI, I have been coating the mating surfaces where the wheels contact the hubs with a thin coat of anti-sieze compound. It seems to stay on and not wash and so far I have not noticed any ill effects.

 

too bad i didn't come in and check on this thread before heading out to the suspension shop(i'm not sure if this technique will work for me since it's "really" stuck). Thanks anyways. I ended up going to the suspension shop this morning, how they handled it was that they just use a mallet (hitting very very hard for like 10+ times :smile: from the inside) and then it came off.

Thanks for all the advice