Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: toller on 19 October 2009, 13:08:43

Title: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: toller on 19 October 2009, 13:08:43
First post on here in a long time mainly due to not having any probs with the car in quite a while. 

My wishbones are shot and I attempted to change them over the weekend.  Got the drivers side done alright but on the passenger side i've got the spare wheel on due to me getting a puncture,  the spare has been on a while as I don't use the car very much prefering to go most places by motorbike.

When I came to take the wheel off the bolts came out OK but the wheel is stuck absolutely solid on the hub.  I spent quite while laying on my back booting it,  put the wheel nuts back in loosely and took it up and down the road and whilst parked turned the wheel full lock left and right but it is still solid and i'm at a bit of a loss in how to proceed.

Anyone got any tips and tricks?  I need to get it MOT'd next week so really need to get this other wishbone changed.  I've had some stiff wheels in the past but never anything like this, it really is absolutely solid.

Help!!!
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 October 2009, 14:24:48
Loosen all the bolts (but don't fully remove)... crawl along and hammer the brake on  :)
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Jimbob on 19 October 2009, 14:27:10
Quote
Loosen all the bolts (but don't fully remove)... crawl along and hammer the brake on  :)


works for me (3 loose bolts)  :y
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Andy H on 19 October 2009, 15:26:12
Scary  :o

The wheel bolts are located in the wheel due to the taper on the bolt heads. The brake disk is clamped between the wheel and the hub (with a tiny 8mm securing screw that is only there to help you line the bolt holes up when you swap a wheel)

With the bolts loose you will be trying to shear the wheel bolts. They may have already been terminally weakened  :o

Apply releasing oil to the centre bore of the wheel (where it sits on the hub) every time you pass the car over the next two days. After that you should be able to grasp top & bottom of the wheel and waggle it until it gets bored and slides off  :y
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 October 2009, 15:33:52
Quote
Quote
Loosen all the bolts (but don't fully remove)... crawl along and hammer the brake on  :)


works for me (3 loose bolts)  :y

Me too  :D
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Andy B on 19 October 2009, 16:26:05
Quote
Scary  :o

 ......

But very effective!  :y :y It's worked for me a few times over the years. You're only just moving the car before you hit the brakes.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: albitz on 19 October 2009, 16:29:10
 or try heating up the centre of the wheel with a hot air gun. :-/
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Andy B on 19 October 2009, 16:33:34
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or try heating up the centre of the wheel with a hot air gun. :-/

I think a lump af ally is going to soak up the small amount of heat available from a heat gun - and you wouldn't want to scorch the paint.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 19 October 2009, 16:38:54
A big rubber mallet has done mine, or failing that a big hairy man!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :D :D :D ;) ;)

Hope you get it off though!

I must say the thought of driving the car with loose wheel bolts scares me as well, as I have seen them shear under such loads!! :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 October 2009, 16:46:30
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I must say the thought of driving the car with loose wheel bolts scares me as well, as I have seen them shear under such loads!! :o :o :o :o

We are talking about a couple of mph, you could do it on the driveway.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 19 October 2009, 16:59:10
Take it to Kwik Fit and say that you want that wheel balancing .......

Just say it with a straight face.

 ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 19 October 2009, 17:09:12
Quote
Take it to Kwik Fit and say that you want that wheel balancing .......

Just say it with a straight face.

 ;) ;) ;)

Yeah, right!  They will end up at least buggering up your wheel bearings and goodness knows what else and say it was like it before they touched it!!! :o :o :o :o

I recommend stay well clear of that 'solution'!! ::) ::) ::) :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 20 October 2009, 12:04:46
Yes, slow speed with 'loose nuts'
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: omega6 on 20 October 2009, 12:39:33
Quote
Loosen all the bolts (but don't fully remove)... crawl along and hammer the brake on  :)

large rubber mallet and weetabix for breakfast should be the solution
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: jonnycool on 20 October 2009, 12:51:07
Quote
A big rubber mallet has done mine, or failing that a big hairy man!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :D :D :D ;) ;)

He is!!
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: toller on 20 October 2009, 13:05:54
Thanks for the replies.

When I say i've driven it up and down the road I don't mean at 40mph or anything, it was a crawl and it was a private road.  I'll have a go at slamming the brakes on when I get home.

As for the kwik fit soloution,  I may as well wreck the wheel and god knows what else myself and cutout the middle man.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: dbug on 20 October 2009, 21:35:22
Quote
Yes, slow speed with 'loose nuts'

Yep usually works or batter it with a stout lump of wood whilst turning the wheel!!
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: The Red Baron on 20 October 2009, 23:11:03
as its the spare(steel) thats on, surely a big hammer will do. within reason of course. :D
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: Turk on 21 October 2009, 01:16:40
Once it's loose, replace the wheel and rotate it on the hub. This should break up any corrosion build up and make cleaning the lip the wheel locates onto with emery cloth/sand paper/wire brush etc a lot easier. A quick wipe over with a cloth to remove any loose bits etc (don't forget to wipe the inner lip of the wheel center as well) and a light smear of grease/copperslip should eliminate the risk of it happening again.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: rustym95 on 21 October 2009, 04:47:02
have you tryed hitting the wheel wile in the air spinning it and hitting the rubber from top to bottom, it should shake it lose, thats what i did to a cav with metal rims on, been stud for 4years and had grass growing round the wheels.
Title: Re: Can't get the wheel off
Post by: PxMetro on 21 October 2009, 13:16:54
Quote
Quote
Loosen all the bolts (but don't fully remove)... crawl along and hammer the brake on  :)

large rubber mallet and weetabix for breakfast should be the solution
A large hide hammer works well, but just be careful :y