Frozen wheels

Has anybody experienced this and how did they solve it?

So I've heard of rusted/frozen brake drums, but never experienced the rims being stuck on. I removed all the lug nuts, actually beat the back of the wheel with a sledge hammer and these things will not budge at all. It is on a 53 Cadillac for what its worth. The rest of the car does not seem rusty enough to explain whats going on. I'm not sure what to do. I will remove everything I can from the backing plate to remove the drums when the wheel is out of the way. I had to have a tow truck rescue it for me. It was buried under a large brush that almost completely hid it. He even struggled and had to come get a rollback since the truck could barely drag it with all 4 wheels locked up.

 

Are the rims aluminum?

 

The rim normally registers on either the hub on the front or axle flange on the back...normally its a pretty tight fit...over time the rust can "weld" them together. Soak the middle of the drum with PB Blaster or similar..wire wheel the crap out of it and just keep tapping back and forth..you'll break them free. Put a block of wood between the hammer and the wheel though or you'll bend the wheels..

 

This happens all the time with aluminum wheels and steel hubs. I've found it's a lot easier to get a big prybar in there and apply steady pressure. The wheels usually pop right off.

 

Try heatin the center w/ a torch, lighlty, you dont want it to become red , then hit it free. It usually works.

 

Big hammer!!

 

After the PB blaster soaking the center of the wheel try hitting the outside of the wheel and/or tire on the outer edge with the sledge,as you can get a better swing while standing up

 

Yeah we have had to resort to a torch to heat the rim a few times over the years. They were daily drivers in for a brake check. Heat it around the center registry hole as it heats up it expands and keep thumping the tire as you go. (keep a couple of loose lug nuts on to keep it on the car when it finally breaks loose.)

 

a few good shots with the ball end of a large ball peen hammer near the center where the mating surfaces are should shock it free (on steel wheels)

 

You can also use a rattle gun with a dull point and go around the hub area as long as you don't lean into it too hard. I wonder what those people with rusted on wheels on their daily driver cars do when they have a flat?

 

Those of us who live in (or used to live in) the rust belt put a light coat of grease between the wheel and the hub so this cant happen. Yes, it makes a mess, but the wheels dont stick.

 

Just step back ,drink beer & oil good .....then beat it with a BFH.
"AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"

 

Cadillac wheels always seem to have the tightest fit on the hub to start with and then add a bit of rust into the mix and the fun begins. I'd agree with soaking it down with PB Blaster or using some heat. The heat will not only expand the rim a bit but will help burn out the rust.
I'd agree with hitting the tire/rim on the front side to knock it loose too as you can get a lot better swing at it most of the time.
You are probably going to have to do the same thing to the drums before you are done.

 

Thanks for all the info. Hadn't thought of adding heat. I didn't think the rust had that big of a grip on it all. Seems like with that large of a surface to hit with a hammer, and that little tiny hub area it would've broken free but obviously not. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Thanks HAMBers.