Aluminum rim sticking to hub...any solutions?

[JDgreen227]

This afternoon I had to replace a flat tire on an 8-lug 3/4 ton GMC truck, the vehicle has the OEM alloy 16 inch rims. The rim was basically frozen to the steel rotor and hub, and I had to pound with a snow shovel handle on the inner and outer sidewalls of the tire for several minutes to free the rim from the rotor. In this case, frozen doesn't mean because of ice, but because of corrosion between the alloy and steel. I have had this issue numerous times before while rotating the tires, but at home I had access to a length of 4X4 post...while today's job was a roadside fix and I had only the shovel to use for pounding.

Would anyone know of a solution to keep the two metals from binding together? Thank you.

 

[Lou66]

Oxidation = grease,, Lou

 

[CobyRupert]

... I had to pound with a snow shovel handle.... but at home I had access to a length of 4X4 post...

Would anyone know of a solution to keep the two metals from binding together? Thank you.

....maybe a sledge hammer?

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have not had the issue with aluminum wheels and hubs but I have had brake drums stick pretty badly. When I do brake work I put what I think is just enough antisieze between the drum and axle flange. I don't see why this would not work for the wheels.

 

[Loadstar]

Get some marine grade anti-seize and paint the contact surfaces.

 

[motownbrowne]

Any time you have aluminum against steel, anti-seize is crucial.

 

[techwrtr2]

I have this issue with my car. One way to break it free is to get all lug nuts loose but only just. Then drive it for a very short distance. If it's a front tire, turn the wheels. Just don't try going very far.

Every time I remove my tires, I paint the hub with anti-seize. Works every time.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I Anti Seize mine. If this happens again losen all the lugs 2 turns then drive it 50 feet while cutting the steering wheel hard side to side.

I have also used the strength of the power steering pump and a length of wood against the frame to pop it off. Just make sure you have the lugs quite loose to contain the wheel but loose enough to allow it to pop.

Chris

 

[JDgreen227]

The two last solutions suggest loosening the lug nuts then driving the vehicle...I thought about that, but the front tire was flat and I worried about both damaging the rim and there was a lot of snow on the ground...the drag caused by the flat tire and the limited traction might have made it very hard to move the vehicle. Numerous suggestions have mentioned anti-seize compound and that it exactly the solution I needed to know. Thanks to all !!!

 

[Travelover]

Another vote for anti seize. My Ford Escape wheels would stick so bad that I thought I'd damage the rim pounding them off. Now, they fall off when the lug nuts are taken off.