Use copper grease on the wheel faces to aid removal.

Regarding PD's problem with his brass valves and alloy caps, I had a similar problem with an alloy wheel on a newish Polo with a puncture. I got the wheel nuts off without any trouble, but I just couldn't get the wheel off. When I contacted my local garage, they said that was very common. I took the car to them and they took off all four wheels and smeared copper grease on the two faces of the wheels. End of problem! They also put a smear of it on the wheel nuts themselves to avoid the same problem in the event of puncture during a journey.

Asked on 9 February 2013 by PE, Bookham, Surrey

Answered by Honest John

That's exactly what I did against the advice of aeronautical engineers. I think it forms a sacrificial anode. Works, though. If you find that the alloy wheels of your car have fused to the hubs, slacken the wheel bolts slightly then let the car back down off the jack and shake the wheel. The weight of the car will usually snap it off the hub.

Tags: changing tyres wheels and tyres

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