Having a stuck tire on your car can be extremely frustrating. When a tire gets stuck, it means it is no longer rotating freely on the wheel hub as it should be. There are several reasons why a tire can become stuck on a car:
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Causes of a Stuck Tire
Here are some of the most common causes of a stuck tire:
- Corrosion or rust bonding the wheel to the brake drum or hub – Over time, moisture can cause the wheel and hub to corrode and essentially become glued together with rust.
- Faulty or worn lug nuts – If the lug nuts are overly tightened, cross-threaded, or worn out, they may prevent the wheel from turning properly.
- Bent wheel rim – A bent rim that has become out of round can cause interference that stops the wheel from turning.
- Faulty or stuck brake caliper – Brake calipers that are stuck in place and putting pressure on the rotor will cause a locked up wheel.
- Grease or oil on the threads – Getting grease or oil on the threads of the lug nuts or hub bolts can lead them to essentially glue themselves in place.
- Small pebbles or debris – Tiny pebbles or rocks can become wedged between the tire and hub, stopping the wheel from turning.
- Excessive rust and corrosion – Significant buildup of rust and corrosion between the wheel and hub assembly can cause the tire to stick.
Figuring out the exact cause of a stuck tire will help you know how best to approach removing it. Inspect the tire and wheel area closely to diagnose where the sticking is occurring.
Methods for Removing a Stuck Tire
Once you’ve determined the cause, here are some methods and techniques you can try to get a stuck tire unstuck:
Hitting the Tire
For a tire that is just lightly stuck, a good sharp hit with a rubber mallet or hammer handle on the tread can provide enough force to jar it loose. Hit the tire where it contacts the pavement to create rotational force. Be sure to hit evenly around the tire and not too forcefully to avoid damaging the tire or wheel.
Lubricating the Wheel Hub
If the tire is stuck due to corrosion, applying a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 or PB Blaster can help free it. Spray or brush the lubricant liberally between the wheel and hub surfaces and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. The lubricant will work to break down rust and corrosion. After soaking, try hitting the tire or putting some turning force on the wheel with a lug wrench to break it free.
Loosening Lug Nuts
For a tire stuck because lug nuts have been overtightened, you’ll need to break them loose. Place the lug nut wrench or tire iron on each nut and apply firm pressure counter-clockwise. Tap the end of the wrench with a hammer if needed to help break the grip of the nuts. Applying heat with a propane torch may also help expand the nuts to loosen the grip.
Releasing Brake Pressure
If a brake caliper is sticking or frozen, the brake pads will have clamping force on the rotor not allowing the wheel to turn. On rear brakes, pull the parking brake release handle to retract the shoes. On front or rear calipers, look for a hex screw cap that allows you to manually back off the piston in the caliper. Use a socket or wrench to turn the screw clockwise, which will release brake pressure.
Breaking Rust with Heat
For excessive rusting between the wheel and hub, applying heat can help break the bond. Use a propane torch to evenly heat the areas between lug studs where it is stuck. Heat to around 500 degrees for 5-10 minutes which will cause the rust to expand at a different rate, helping crack the bond. Spray or brush on penetrating oil after heating and let cool completely before trying to remove the tire.
Turning with Added Leverage
Once you’ve loosened the stuck areas, adding additional leverage can provide enough force to turn the tire. Place a sturdy iron pry bar between the tire tread and ground. Position it so the end pushes against the ground when you pull up on the other end. The added leverage from the pry bar may give just enough turning force to unstick the tire as you rotate it.
Prevention
Once you’ve gotten that stuck tire off, there are things you can do to help prevent another sticking tire situation:
- Keep lug nuts properly torqued – Check torque specs in your owner’s manual and use a torque wrench when tightening lug nuts.
- Keep wheel hubs clean – When changing tires, inspect wheel hub and clean off any rust or brake dust buildup.
- Lubricate areas that tend to stick – Applying a thin coat of anti-seize lubricant to the wheel hub can prevent sticking corrosion.
- Replace worn lug nuts – Never re-use lug nuts, always install new ones when changing a tire.
- Fix bent wheels – Have any bent wheel rims professionally straightened or replaced.
- Maintain brake calipers – Lubricate caliper slides and replace worn pads and components before brakes freeze up.
When to Call for Help
If you’ve tried these techniques extensively and the tire absolutely will not budge, it may be time to call for backup. A professional tire shop has access to air tools with much higher torque and impact force that can usually break even the most stubborn stuck tires free. They also have experience dealing with stuck tires and freeing frozen brake calipers. Calling a tow truck to take your car to the shop is a good idea if the tire is completely immobile.
Conclusion
Dealing with a stuck tire can be extremely frustrating, but in most cases you can get it off yourself if you employ the right techniques. Start by thoroughly inspecting the area and determining exactly what is causing the sticking. Use penetrating lubricants and heat when necessary to break the tire free. Add extra leverage force if needed to get the tire turning again. And be sure to take preventive steps like lubricating hubs and maintaining lug nuts and brakes to avoid stuck tires in the future.