Can’t remove a flat tire from my 2019 Tundra - Frustration!!!

Morning all,

New member and appreciate any coaching for my issue.

Was greeted with a completely flat tire on the front right of my 2019 tundra last night. I've changed my share of tires, but was met with frustration because I cant get the --- tire to come off the axle. What is going on?

I check to make sure I removed all the lug nuts just to make sure I didn't miss something that obvious:

Did I miss another step on the rim to release the tire from the axle?
Is the tire seized on the axle because it was leaning at an angle for 24 hours?
Is the tire frozen on to the axle. It is winter here in Michigan so maybe that it?

Thanks Jeff

 

It's not an uncommon issue. I rotate my tires and they usually stick. I give the top part of tire a good kick (use good judgement of course) or you can grab a dead blow hammer. I sometimes have to kick the tire several times to let them to pop off.

 

How often did you rotate your tires prior to this? The center of the rim is usually a snug fit on the hub and corrosion occurs at that interface making it even more difficult to remove. My advice is a block of oak and a sledge walloped at multiple places around the perimeter of the rim or if the truck is adequately secured thump from the inside.

 

I rotate every 5k miles.

 

Very common.

 

Easiest method - sit on the floor facing the outside of the wheel and kick the bottom of the tire.

If wheel does not come free, Use a 6-8' section of 3/4" pipe or 2 x 4 and lodge one end against the frame near the inside of the wheel and lever outward against the tire. Careful not to place the end against any brake components.

 

Take a piece of 4x4 lumber and slide it along the ground into the inside of the tire to knock it off the hub.

 

I rotate my tires fairly often and still happens to the three vehicles we own. I try to get as much of the corrosion off with a wire brush and I wipe a little WD40 on the touch surfaces before reinstalling the tire.

Unfortunately it requires some force. Whichever method you chose above OP will work just be EXTRA careful with the brake components and wheel damage!

Ask me how I know…

 

That was directed to the OP. You got in before Ol' Fatfingers could type. With every rotation done at home a little scotchbrite pad hits the interface topped with a light smear of No Ox grease. My old 2009 F150 company truck required some serious sledge work at the first rotation.

 

If none of the above works put 3 lugs back on hand tight then back them off 2 turns. hit the gas then the brake immediately to free it from the hub. air up the flat tire before you attempt this.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Have aftermarket rims? Extended thread lug nuts may have sheared off at the extension. Happens often with poor wheel/lug nut combos.

 

Thx all! I used a small amount of wd40 to break the seal. Gave it a gentle kick and was off and running

jeff

 

What are the odds of off trueing the wheel doing any of said above banging? Asking for a friend.

 

Jack the truck up before trying to remove tire…


Sorry. Couldn’t stop myself.

 

If the wheel can't handle that you don't want those wheels on your vehicle. Back kick the fuck out of it

 

Galvanic corrosion between metal/iron hubs and aluminum wheels. Put some white lithium grease along the hub and they won’t weld together anymore.