Rear Hubs Oversized

[kmorgan_260]

Does anyone else have trouble removing the rear wheels? I run snow tires on the stock steel wheels and alloys for Summer so I switch them a couple times a year. They aren't that rusty and I use antisieze but still have trouble getting them off. I have discovered that the hub is slightly oversized and I can't push them all the way on by hand so the lugs press them on when I torque them down. Wondering if this is isolated to my 2005 Corolla or if others have seen it?

[fishexpo101]

Sounds weird, the OEM steel wheels do fit tightly over the hub (centerbore makes contact with the hub flange) - but should not get "stuck" to the point you need to use the lugs to pull the wheel flush. Once you get the wheels off, check the centerbore and the flange lip, see how much corrosion built up there.

Might have to hit it with a wire wheel, some emery paper to knock that corrosion down. Then treat it with a rust preventative of choice - I use high temp disc brake grease that I already have lying around or copper anti-seize, the moly-based stuff I have seems to be have a very thin base grease, easy to wash off.

Also double check both surfaces, make sure there isn't any sign of obvious damage (bent flange, etc.). Also check that the hubcentric ring didn't pop off your summer wheel and got stuck to the hub. I've had that happen to me a couple of times - didn't even notice it as the hubcentric ring picked up the rust color from the hub and mating surface of the steel wheel.

If you have the wheels really stuck on - could try the old trick of backing off the lugs a couple of turns, then dropping that corner quickly / rocking the car on the ground, side to side / or drive forward/backwards while stabbing the brakes - to break that corrosion free.