Check your wheels (1 Viewer)

May 23, 2012
373
342
Anglesey
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21,173
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Rapido 666f
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2012
I have a 2 year old Autotrail on a Ducato and last week went for 2 new front tyres, the fitter had to knock the wheels of with a sledge hammer. I would have had no chance of changing the wheel at the roadside. The fitter greased the hub before refitting as this is a common problem. The wheels were obviously not removed when serviced a few weeks ago by a reputable garage. Something I will make sure they check in the future.
 

Anthea M

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Oct 18, 2015
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Do they have to take them off for a service I don't think ours were as we had those ties on the hubcaps.
 
Jan 22, 2013
1,248
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London SE
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24,385
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A class Adria vision I707
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since 1971
I always use some copperslip around the wheel flange to stop corrosion taking place between alloy wheels a steel flange,
you don't have to remove wheels to check brake pads and wheels bearings so not part of a normal service unless asked for,

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Sep 10, 2013
1,186
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Chelmsford Essex
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Getting better
My twin rear wheel Transit wheels needed to be persuaded off using a load of penetrating oil over about a week and the heavy duty attention of a full sledge hammer by my friendly local tyre supplier the first time I tried to remove them.
I now treat them with copper grease each year. But it all shows how difficult roadside tyre action really is and explains the importance of having good roadside recovery support.
 

DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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I have a 2 year old Autotrail on a Ducato and last week went for 2 new front tyres, the fitter had to knock the wheels of with a sledge hammer. I would have had no chance of changing the wheel at the roadside. The fitter greased the hub before refitting as this is a common problem. The wheels were obviously not removed when serviced a few weeks ago by a reputable garage. Something I will make sure they check in the future.
I assume you have alloy wheels? If so this is a common problem. If it happens on the road and you need to change a wheel you can sometimes dislodge them by slackening the wheel studs then lowering the vehicle carefully onto the ground using the jack. This doesn't always work though.:)

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EX51SSS

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Jul 18, 2015
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I have a 2 year old Autotrail on a Ducato and last week went for 2 new front tyres, the fitter had to knock the wheels of with a sledge hammer. I would have had no chance of changing the wheel at the roadside. The fitter greased the hub before refitting as this is a common problem. The wheels were obviously not removed when serviced a few weeks ago by a reputable garage. Something I will make sure they check in the future.
To be fair I don't ever think that I've known wheels to be removed at a service except when requested. However, I totally understand what you are saying and think it's an excellent idea to have them removed, copperslip applied and re fitted. Service and MOT in September and a little extra to add to the small list. Thanks for the thread.
 
R

Robert Clark

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Surely at two years old they should have removed the wheels to check break pads?
Our brakes were checked and adjusted at 1 year old
 

BwB

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Apr 3, 2011
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You must be getting some decent miles done to need new tyres after two years? Or was there a problem with them?

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mjltigger

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Nov 12, 2014
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Surely at two years old they should have removed the wheels to check break pads?
Our brakes were checked and adjusted at 1 year old
Doubt an alloy has to come off for that though especially when you consider it is part of an mot

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Jan 22, 2013
1,248
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London SE
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A class Adria vision I707
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since 1971
Surely at two years old they should have removed the wheels to check break pads?
Our brakes were checked and adjusted at 1 year old

you can check the majority of brake pads/ discs with a mirror and light without removing the wheels, with it jacked up you can easily check wheel bearings/ CV joints and gaiters so it's totally unesassary to remove the wheels,
when you drop it down a quick check of the wheel bolts/ nuts torque is all that's required,
in the old days with cross ply tyres it was recommended to swap wheels around to even out the wear, but not so important IF your steering geometry is correct with radial tyres,
if you want to pay an additional hours labour for no real benefit then so be it,
there are exception of course, some hand brakes shoes are inside the rear brake discs but usually can still be adjusted through the wheel, if you have drums brakes also usually can be adjusted ether through the backplate or wheel, also many drum brakes have inspection holes in the back plate to check for wear,
as I stated with mine I did remove all the wheels to copperslip the hub flange to stop corrosion accurring between the dissimilar metals, I have spent many hours trying to remove customers wheels that have been welded on with corrosion without damaging the inside rim,
for a small tube of copperslip it a no brainer!
 
Oct 13, 2016
1,050
896
Grays - Essex - UK
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Mercedes Hymer B680
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Been moho’ing for a time now
Not sure about ours, Mercedes Hymer B680 as I've not yet had the wheels off, but on my Ford Scorpio and Toyota Alphard I've installed on both of them with 5mm wheel spacers, that way it keeps the hub centre just off the wheels, without putting too much stress on the bearings. Also I will be taking the rear wheels off shortly to install 45 degree tyre valves and then the Bluetooth senders for the tyre pressure sender/readers, oh, btw, I have 4 wheels on the rear axle
 
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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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I've installed on both of them with 5mm wheel spacers,
Have you informed your insurers of the modification.
Wouldn't want you to find out the hard way they won't pay out on a claim because you hadn't told them.
They may not be interested but at least its in your file.

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MikeD

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I don't think many service/garages would remove a wheel unless there was a need to replace/repair something behind it.

But I would not be impressed with any mechanic who used a sledge hammer to remove any wheel on one of our vehicles.

Usually a heavy rubber hammer does the job.
 

pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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I don't think many service/garages would remove a wheel unless there was a need to replace/repair something behind it.

But I would not be impressed with any mechanic who used a sledge hammer to remove any wheel on one of our vehicles.

Usually a heavy rubber hammer does the job.
Or at the very least, a block of wood between wheel and sledge hammer.

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The Nomad

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Aug 24, 2016
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Plus one for Copperslip.

Every car/van I've ever had has had the wheel removed by me immediately and copperslip applied to the mating faces.
I've seen the results of corrosion "welding" many times, and copperslip ensures you don't get the problem.

It's really good stuff.
 
Nov 2, 2008
461
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PVC, S&L Iveco
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45 years
I don't think many service/garages would remove a wheel unless there was a need to replace/repair something behind it.

But I would not be impressed with any mechanic who used a sledge hammer to remove any wheel on one of our vehicles.

Usually a heavy rubber hammer does the job.
If they will come off with a rubber hammer they are not really stuck, just a little resistant, have seen some that needed an oxy gun.
 
Nov 3, 2013
3,165
9,293
Portugal
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28,868
MH
Fiat Ducato Auto Wildax
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C/van since '73 .M/h.2009
Hi.
I would be worried if the cable ties were still in place,that the wheel nuts had not been checked,however,they may have been and the mechanic re tied them.
Check mine every outing,and if on a long jaunt,weekly,just a thought.
Tea Bag

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Jun 9, 2016
228
306
L'Isle Jourdain, 86150 France
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43,512
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C Class I think
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Just bought an Eriba FT 580
Wheels are off twice a year - summer tyres > winter tyres > etc. I guess that's not so common on here but in this neck of the woods no winter tyres = no insurance.
 

peter

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Nov 23, 2007
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Not sure about ours, Mercedes Hymer B680 as I've not yet had the wheels off, but on my Ford Scorpio and Toyota Alphard I've installed on both of them with 5mm wheel spacers, that way it keeps the hub centre just off the wheels, without putting too much stress on the bearings. Also I will be taking the rear wheels off shortly to install 45 degree tyre valves and then the Bluetooth senders for the tyre pressure sender/readers, oh, btw, I have 4 wheels on the rear axle
That's not a good idea. (fitting wheel spacers) That hub centre is what is supposed to take the weight of the vehicle, not the studs and wheel nuts'
 

Ivory55

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May 23, 2012
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Am just trying to take the wheels off , they are alloy and they don't move. Having read this is it brute force or take to the garage to get them to loosen them first ? I have a jack and axel stand under it at the moment, plus slipped wheel back on while on here.

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Enword

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May 20, 2014
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I assume you have alloy wheels? If so this is a common problem. If it happens on the road and you need to change a wheel you can sometimes dislodge them by slackening the wheel studs then lowering the vehicle carefully onto the ground using the jack. This doesn't always work though.:)
As above good tip, you can also put a piece of 2x2 on the inside edge of the tyre when you let the jack down, which help's force the bottom of the wheel outwards.
 

Silver-Fox

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I normally use a large hammer and a piece of 2x2 up against the tyre/wheel so I'm not hitting the wheel directly.
Also make sure you rotate the wheel often in-between strikes so as not to stress the wheel.

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Oct 13, 2016
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896
Grays - Essex - UK
Funster No
45,568
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Mercedes Hymer B680
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Been moho’ing for a time now
Am just trying to take the wheels off , they are alloy and they don't move. Having read this is it brute force or take to the garage to get them to loosen them first ? I have a jack and axel stand under it at the moment, plus slipped wheel back on while on here.

Sorry , but I don't quite understand what you're saying Your last sentence states "that slipped the wheel back on while on here", so surely that means you've got the wheel off
 

Ivory55

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May 23, 2012
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Sorry I wrote that badly. I should of said I have put the wheel studs back in/on so it was safe and secure. Cheers
 

mikebeaches

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Feb 22, 2010
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I assume you have alloy wheels? If so this is a common problem. If it happens on the road and you need to change a wheel you can sometimes dislodge them by slackening the wheel studs then lowering the vehicle carefully onto the ground using the jack. This doesn't always work though.:)
A good suggestion from DBK.

If still no success, using this method, ensure nuts in place but slightly loose. Drive the van along at circa 10 or 15 mph max and hit the brakes hard. Might need one or two goes, but sometimes does the trick.

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