Flat Tyre - Thwarted By The Simplest Things

[ReganAndCarter]

Brother's got a 2006 Merc C Class. Had a flat on rear, so as he's useless, said I would go over and have a look. Said we should try to get some air in it to see if it would stay up long enough to get to tyre centre. Problem number 1. The rears have metal valve caps on them, which I have never had before myself. The one on offending tyre was solid. Tried pliers on it, but valve just turned. Then tried pliers on stem and pump pliers on cap. Stuck solid.

So, thought we would we would remove wheel and put on space saver. Problem number 2. After removing nuts, wheel was solid on the hub. Tried kicking wheel with sole of foot, but the car was rocking a bit on the flimsy standard jack. My trolley jack was out of action due to fluid leak. Wanted to take block of wood and lump hammer to inside of wheel, but not on that jack.

Admitted defeat and brother called in mobile tyre fitter and paid over the odds. Cars!!

 

[nauseous]

Bit late now, couldn't you have loosened the wheel nuts then gave it a whack or three then if the jack folded, car wouldn't or shouldn't lurch.

 

[Burnerman]

A pretty good advert for taking the wheels off yearly and wire brushing the hubs and wheel centres......
One trick if you are caught out on the road - slacken off the wheel bolts and turn the steering wheel without the car being jacked up. Frees them off nicely!
John

 

[HERTS P&D]

One trick if you are caught out on the road - slacken off the wheel bolts and turn the steering wheel without the car being jacked up. Frees them off nicely! John

Will it work when the wheel is on the rear John?

Andy

 

[Burnerman]

Not as easily Andy but with the wheel nuts loose and the car on the deck, you can rock the hell out of it!
John

 

[Ian H]

Take it down to the local dogging site, that should free it off!!

 

[wv62]

Take it down to the local dogging site, that should free it off!!

Are doggers mainly tyre fitters?

 

[Ian H]

Are doggers mainly tyre fitters?

Usually Mechanics but they can loosen a wheel while on the job

 

[Avocet]

Slacken the wheel nuts (bolts) and just drive it slowly a few yards in each direction. That sometimes works.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Bit late now, couldn't you have loosened the wheel nuts then gave it a whack or three then if the jack folded, car wouldn't or shouldn't lurch.

I tried that, but the car was really starting to wobble on the jack.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

A pretty good advert for taking the wheels off yearly and wire brushing the hubs and wheel centres......

Agree. But unfortunately my brother isn't one for preventative maintenance. Cuts corners, but often pays far more in the end.

The mobile fitter fitted 2 budget tyres (225 55 R16 I think) to the rear wheels for £190. Earlier in the year, I paid £89 for two tyres of a similar size and quality. Some may learn the lesson, but unfortunately, I don't think he ever will.

 

[empip]

Jack car up loosen wheel nuts/bolts, get sparewheel, stand astride spare, facing stuck wheel hold spare with both hands at its rim such that you can swing it, pendulum like, back and forth - use it to bump the stuckwheel as far radially from wheel centre as possible - like a heavy rubber mallet - Just don't hit the bodywork !
-0-

 

[rds60h]

Usually Mechanics but they can loosen a wheel while on the job

I'm pretty sure they only tighten nuts !

 

[norseman]

I'm pretty sure they only tighten nuts !

More often than not over-tighten the bloody things

 

[norseman]

Slacken the wheel nuts (bolts) and just drive it slowly a few yards in each direction. That sometimes works.

Used to have this problem with semi-trailer wheels that hadn't been changed for a while. We used to back a unit under, loosen the trailer wheel nuts & drag it around the (pot-holed) yard.