[auto] Rim stuck on hub day after shop rotated tires

[cbelt3]

michaelb wrote:
so costco didn't charge you anything for not doing anything and lying to you? You can certainly complain to them about that.

He paid for that service as part of his membership. It's akin to having a warranty and the service provider not providing the repair. You paid for the warranty, it wasn't honored.

mr big has the best solution (albeit nerve-wracking).

I've used the big hammer solution on steel wheels, and once even used a 4 foot prybar (!) to pull a wheel loose on an idiot chrysler minivan (blech).

I have two words...

Jack

Stand

I know that doesn't help when you're changing a flat in the boonies.

[testcase]

There can be a LOT of friction holding a wheel on a truck hub after the lug nuts have been removed. I've seen mechanics "talk" to such a wheel with a 4lb ball peen hammer or the back of a flat head axe to "convince" the hub to release the wheel. You don't have to beat the crap out of the wheel. Firm but light taps should set up enough vibration to overcome the friction. Once you get the wheel started moving, it should come off easily. Costco folks are probably aware of such techniques. When re-installing said wheel, you'll probably be amazed at just how far the lug nuts pull said wheel onto the hub. Good luck!

[DP]

Newt!

therm-why were you trying to change a tire the day after the service?

[mrlynn]

davester wrote:
Last time I had this situation, the only thing that got the tires off was to get a long 4x4 and smack the wheels hard from the opposite side of the car. I would advise using a jackstand or something else solid rather than a jack if you do this. . .

That generally works, in my experience.

/Mr Lynn

[thermarest]

Thanks all. I just wanted a few opinions before calling. I talked to a manager, who seemed genuinely puzzled. A tire shop guy called me back shortly and said they did get the wheels off but that it had been difficult, that rims were on tight and that my rear hubs are quite rusty. He wasn't that surprised it had stuck again. So, perhaps the answer to my question is yes, indeed the wheel can be stuck on the rim right after having been removed. I'm not totally convinced either way.

[Carm]

Im not convinced either. It takes time for the rim to stick. I have had to deal with two of them. One at a college and one at home. Swift donkey kicks (dont know the term for the type of kick) and the rims popped off. Pretty embarrasing for a guy to have to call another guy to help get his rim off the car. The guy at the college was feeling pretty sheepish.

[Dennis S]

Have you considered the tire guy lied to you? I don't see how it stuck in one day. I'd bet money it was stuck and he said to hell with it.

[vitus]

If the hubs are rusty, especially if they are rusty to the extent there is surface flaking, then I side with the tire shop. It is possible for the wheel to become mechanically stuck to the hub. If this is the case, this would happen immediately upon tightening the lug nuts.

[M A V I C]

PB Blaster. Hopefully they're not nice wheels... if they aren't, smack them between the lugs.

[srf1957]

Which assumes the person rotating the tires didn't clean them before trying to balance them. May I suggest you try Les Schwab next time.