Couple of problems, scraping noise from rear wheel, also I can't get the wheel off

[carpja]

The other day I was on my way home from work, about a mile from home when a faint scrapping noise starts coming from my passenger rear wheel. It startes out very faint, but it quickly gets significantly louder, still not very loud but loud enough to make me wonder wth is going on. I also noticed that the sound seems louder or more pronounced as I turn the car. The most obvious cuprit is the rear breaks. I had the car aligned about 2 months ago, and the guy told me then that my rear pads were pretty low and I should replace them soon (I didn't), so I figure I'll do that now and that'll hopefully solve the problem.

Today, as I was driving to buy the brake pads, the sound was no longer a constant scrape. It came and went, sometimes it was constant, sometimes it was cyclical, sometimes it wasn't there at all. Anyhow, I got the pads and went to replace them, but I couldn't get the wheel off the car. I got the lug nuts off with no trouble, but the wheel wouldn't budge. Is this typical in cold weather, even after driving the car? I'm in Philadelphia, and it was below freezing today.

If anyone has any ideas about my scraping noise (if replacing the brake pads ends up not fixing it) or any suggestions as to why my wheel won't come off, I'd appreciate it.



Joe

 

[spyder97gs]

Is it scraping when you brake or just under normal driving? It could be that heat shield or whatever it is touching the caliper. As for the wheel not coming off, mine stick alot of times too. I take a rubber hammer and hit it from behind. A good whack should free it. Be careful if you use a non-rubber mallet, don't want to damage the tire.

 

[mikamk]

My wheels were stuck to my DSM as well. I couldn't get them loose by pounding them with a rubber mallet by myself. I simply couldn't get enough leverage.

I took the car to a tire shop with a lift. The guys hit the tire (not the wheel!) with a mallet about the length of a baseball bat. The wheel+tire came right off. The important thing is just that they can have your car on a lift when doing this.

So take the car to a shop. I'm sure they won't charge much for that. It's better to pay these guys than have the car fall on yourself while whacking at the tires when its on jack stands

If the wheels aren't not stuck too badly, you might be able to get them loose by kicking the tires from behind. Works for me better than the mallet.

 

[olmytsi]

try pouring some coke (yes the drink) because it disintegrates the rust and other lil particles that have your wheel stuck to ur rotor. My dad thought me this trick and it works. You can also do that on rusted bolts if u dont have access to products such as wd40.

 

[sjgYFZ200]

i had the same problem with the wheels sticking, i "bear hugged" the wheel, and just yanked and yanked on the tire. it eventully flew off and i went flying across the garage. just keep trying

 

[Froyd79]

I have never had wheels stick on me like these cars I always lay on the ground and give her a kick in the behind. I would replace the brakes and inspect all moving parts while back there.

 

[Chuckster]

Congratulations on finding out BEFORE you're stranded with a flat tire. It's not fun.

 

[carpja]

Thanks for all the help. I'll get a little more physical with that wheel in the next couple of days and let you know what I find out about the noise.


Joe

 

[GSX_RCR]

Be careful when kicking the tire if your car is on a jackstand, you might kick the car off the stand! (Seen it happen, funny when it's your friend's car, but you can seriously damage your suspension and hubs)

1) Spray WD-40 (or similar) into the lugnut area to loosen the rust that's built up between the rear of the wheel and the hub. The coke idea is great for backyard mechanics. :laugh:

2) The noise can come from a few things: Brake pads or Brake Rotors. When's the last time you had the rotors turned? If you answered never (which I'm assuming since the wheel's rusted to the hub), then now's a good time to get new rotors. Warped rotors can wear the brake pads out pretty quick. So get it done as soon as possible to prevent other failures down the line.

 

[LowFourteen95]

There's a real safe and easy way to free your wheel from the hub. I read about it on a bmw site. What you do is loosen each lug nut so that they are all out about one eighth to a quarter inch out from fully seated, and then lower the car back onto the ground. Just the weight of the car as it settles on its suspension will usually break it free.