Anyone have a trick for removing the wheels off a 2002 F150? The aluminum rims have corroded to the hub. I managed to get 3 out of 4 of them off after more banging and dropping than I would have liked to do. The passenger front will not budge. I've tried wedging a 4x4 between the frame and rim and turning the wheel. Whacking with every size of rubber mallet, standing a 4x4 against the rim and hitting with a sledge hammer and prying against the caliper and it still won't come off. Truck has 42,000 miles on it and the wheels have never been off. Seems that Ford forgot to coat the back and hub hole of the rims with anything to prevent dissimiliar metal corrosion.

 

Try spraying some sort of penetrating oil (i.e. WD-40) and letting it soak for a little before trying to remove the wheel. It is important to remember tahat after you remove the wheel to clean off oil residue and overspray (related to the penetrating oil) off of any and all brake components and the lugnut seating surface on the rim. To prevent any future stuck wheels, a light coat of neverseize on matting surfaces should prevent any type pf future corrosion.

 

Try putting it on jack stands and getting under it with a sledge hammer. Put a peice of wood between the tire and sledge and whack it.

 

Had already tried sledge hammer, bottle jacks and using the power steering to push it off. Took it to the dealer and it took them 20 minutes with an air hammer to bust it loose. Guess I'll be coating the rims and hub with anti-sieze from now on.

Chuck P

 

Wow. Way too much hard work.

Next time this happens the trick is to loosen the lugs just a bit and then drive the truck easily around the block. The cornering forces will break the wheels free.

 

Not with hub centric wheels

 

No. It will work with them too. I've done it with no problems or damage.

 

am i the only one wondering why the wheels have never been off of a 02 with 42,000 miles on it...dont you get them rotated every 5,000 miles

 

Why? It's a 2wd tow vehicle, I let the rears wear out first and then replace them with decent tires. The alignment is good, so there's no point in swapping them side to side in the front. The first time I take the fronts off of a vehicle are generally for a brake job.