Flat tyre will not come off

AubreyMac

last night when I parked up and got out the car I can hear 'pssssst' - the classic sound of air coming out of tyre. As I was parked up at home late at night and couldn't see exactly where it was coming from, I left it thinking I will see in the day time which tyre is flat.


It is my front left wheel.


So today I tried changing it to the spare. It is a vw polo 61 reg automatic.


I took the 5 nuts off (I think they are called lug nuts) but the wheel does not slide out. I took the middle vw disk off and can see what looks like a big screw. I'd post a pic here if I knew how to. The screw in the middle looks like it can come off but I don't have the tool for this, so maybe it doesn't have to come off.


I've had a browse online and watched videos. It seems I can loosely put the lugnuts back on and drive a bit until the wheel makes a 'crank' sound. but would this work with a flat? (the vids I seen did not demonstrate with a flat). What are my other options in getting the wheel off? Theres a kwik fit about a mile away but I'm not confident in driving to there with a flat.

[Deleted User]

Sounds like the wheel has binded on, place a piece of wood behind the wheel and hit the wood with a lump hammer working your way around the wheel to release.

Gloomendoom

Do not undo the nut that you can see through the wheel centre!

It's not unusual for wheels to stick on the centre spigot. Brute force will get it off. see above.

If you drive on it as it stands, you may end up forking out for a both new wheel and tyre.

AndyMc.....

Alloy wheels?

If so they!!!8217;re corroded on, get a hammer and firmly tap round the tyre to free the wheel.

markudman

Wheel is seized on the hub, if its had a full dealer history, this may be the first time the wheels have been off.
but as said a lump of wood or a rubber mallet, hit it on the inside to loosen it.
leave one wheel nut / bolt in loose, (hand tight) so the wheel does not go rolling down the road

s_b

put the lug nuts on loosely before you knock 7 bells out of the rim from the inside or it may come off very quickly and either damage your wing or even yourself
a rubber mallet is best as this wont damage the rim especially if it is an alloy rim
be careful as sometimes wheels stuck on the hub can be very difficult to remove,try squirting some plus gas type oil into the part thats stuck keeping clear of the brake disc behind
also im assuming you have the car body on the manufacturers jack so its not really wise to hit the rim in case it falls off the jack (i knew someone who died when an ice cream van fell on them from an unsecured vehicle ,it was on bricks)
maybe get help:)

AubreyMac

Thanks guys - noted about the middle screw.


I only have the wind-up jack that comes with the car so am not confident in hammering it off as one knock it could fall off the jack and do more damage. I'll call my usual MOT guy to see if he can come out to me or recommend someone who can.


I don't even have breakdown cover, but will be looking into one.

markudman

For Breakdown services Check any insurance you have, in may be included

AubreyMac

Thanks.


One thing I'm concerned about though is that it's parked on-road. I'm concerned that anyone (me or mechanic) will need space to work on it.

markudman

The mechanic will be used to this and he may just kick it in the right place and it may come off.

Ectophile

Here's an alternative to wellying it with a hammer.


Put the nuts back on very loosely, so the wheel doesn't fall off. Lower the jack to put the full weight of the car back on the wheel. Jack the car back up again.


If you're lucky, that will have freed it.