www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Right, this may be a silly question, but I've found a flat tyre on my audi A4 avant this morning, so I'd like to replace the wheel with the spare one.
I've lifted the vehicle, screwed out everything but the alloy wheel still wouldn't come out.
Is it just because it's an extremely cold morning or do I have to do somethingelse?

Thanks!

Give it a belt, the wheels sometimes stick on to the hub and they need a shock to loosen off. Careful that you do not rock it in the jack though. A bit of wood thumped around the hub should do it.

DWD

Have this problem with my Pejero.

The Michelin man, puts big boot on the top edge of the Tyre.

There's a special grease you can use to make getting them on and off easier.

usually use copper grease BUT do not use it on the nuts/bolts; it affects their torque rating and tighten up more than they should. MOFO's to take off next time.

applying pressure to the top (as Scruff) could work; tapping the edges or "wiggling it horizontally"; if not you have to resort to smacking it from behind.... (careful with the jack and use axle stands with the spare under the raised sill)

also always check your nuts after a long drive or the next day; not unknown for them to work loose.

Its just frozen on i expect, as scruff said, boot the tyre at the top, if no joy, turn it round and boot the top again.

Nothing to do guys. In the end I really had to call Green Flag.
The guy did it in about 25 minutes using a hammer and swearing in 7 different languages

He slightly damaged the alloy wheel (nothing serious at all), but at least I can drive now.

I couldn't see anything wrong withe the wheel itself. Do you think it's worthy try to repair it or just get a new pair? I'd say the rear ones (where the flat one was) have about 3-4mm of tread and I'm going for the MOT in 10 days.
Front one are ok as I got a new pair last year.

They are quite expensive as it's a 235/45/17/Y but to me safety first!

Sounds like it's just "fused" on to me, we used to get that a lot when i ran my garage and the customers would cringe as i walked up to their car and booted the wheel.

Copper grease is fine and it's what i always use but don't lather the whole face with it as when that stuff gets hot it goes like ball bearings under pressure and can make the wheel loose. Also as previously don't put it on the bolts as it will affect torque ratings and can make a mess later on.

At that speed rating i would probably get a new pair but there's nothing wrong with a repair if the guy knows his stuff.

Also if the repair is on the shoulder or very close to it they won't be able to repair it anyway.

If you put about 50psi in it and cover it in soapy water it will bubble where you need the repair.

Tread wise they are fine as the passable limit is 1.6mm at the mo.

Hope this helps.

& has been mentioned on here before, new tyres to the back

That is recommended as it keeps handling the same as before but the amount of people that wouldn't let my fitters do it and wanted them on the front was unbelievable.

Even after reading the poster and the leaflets!

have a look here for tyre prices
http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk
http://www.blackcircles.com/

My sister once had an escort with steel wheels and I tried to remove them one day and could not as they were rusted/fused to the hubs. Even hitting them with a seldge hammer would not break them free.

Evantually I took it to the garage and they had to heat the centre of the wheels with oxy/acetylene, even then it took them ages and still struggled getting the wheels off

Steels don't stick very often but when they do they do a damn good job of it, although never had to heat one up to get it free!

Alloys are always stuck even if it's only a little bit.