Alloy wheel removal - MINI Cooper Forum

Ratty · #1 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2003, 04:31 AM

I tried to change my 17" S spokes around today to even the front/back tyre wear. However I got no futher than jacking up my Cooper and undoing the wheel nuts as the bloody offside front would just not budge ! I pulled as hard as I could without the risk of falling off the trolley jack.

I have read of similar problems in other threads, is there a simple method to free up the wheels without risk of damaging the alloy or hub ? I think a visit to my local tyre shop or MIni dealer might be necessary unless someone can suggest anything.

MINIALEX · #2 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2003, 04:50 AM

Pour hot water over ir and be extremely patient, eventually it will come off - good luck

GordonD · #3 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2003, 07:44 PM

I just pounded them from behind with a rubber mallet

sjbartnik · #4 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2003, 10:55 PM

GordonD has the right idea. I used to work in a tire shop and we would leave one lug nut on and loose so the wheel wouldn't fall completely off, then would tap it loose from the other side.

Note that part of the MINI's maintenance schedule (it's in the owner's manual) is to grease the hubs so the wheels don't corrode to the hubs, which has happened in your case.

My S has some factory-applied grease right around the center of the hub and the wheels don't stick. If your grease is gone, time to reapply

MINIALEX · #5 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2003, 03:23 AM

Water - trust me i've done it

Ratty · #6 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2003, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIALEX
Water - trust me i've done it

Thanks for the advice, I will try the hot water first. I suppose I could also use a hot air gun to expand the alloy as well.

Cheers.