Matrix tire won't come off - strange lug nut in center?

[pmandra1]

Hi all,

I tried taking off the fron ttires of my 2003 matrix this morning to change the brake pads and ran into a problem - the tires won't come off! I removed the 5 standard lug nuts but there seems to be something holding the tire on in the center (or else it's just rusty and I need to throw some force into it).

Can anyone please tell me if this is a special nut that I need a special tool for (nothing came with the car)

http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/pmandra1/

Thanks!

[arabianobsession]

Can't see the pic (I thank my IT guy for that), but if it's just rusty hit it with a BFH (big effing hammer) or spray some PB blaster on it, let it soak, and try again.

[pmandra1]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

Can't see the pic (I thank my IT guy for that), but if it's just rusty hit it with a BFH (big effing hammer) or spray some PB blaster on it, let it soak, and try again.

No, that didn't do it. It really looks like a lug nut's on there - I see what I think are 12 fluted edges.

[arabianobsession]

That seems weird, I haven't come across that before. Unless it's the giant nut (20+mm?) you take off the wheel hub to do the brakes.

[humanoid]

I don't think that is holding the tire on. I've had this happen every now and again in the past. Give it a swift kick with your heel on one of the sides and that should break it loose. Your steel rim is probably partially rusted onto the wheel hub, that's happened to my Tacoma a few times before I switched over to aluminum rims.

[kingnba6]

hmm seems weird... i dont think you need to remove it but i could be wrong. also waiting for the answer; got me interested.

[arabianobsession]

When you smack the tire, don't be afraid to break it. Hit from the back side and the front side, give it a few swift whacks as if you're hitting a baseball from a baseball bat.

[MA70>ALL]

Thats just the hub for the knuckle assembly. Might be named something different with this car. Its def not holding the tire on. I like to turn around with my butt to the car and place a donkey kick to side of that effer LOL. Usually breaks it lose.

[fishexpo101]

Don't try to take that center nut off, as mentioned above that is the driveaxle lock nut. That does not hold the wheel onto the car.

From the pics, it does look like the flange of the wheel is corrosion frozen to the hub/rotor. There are still some gaps in there, so it is not completely frozen solid.

Might try these couple of tricks to loosen stuck wheels. Run the lug nuts up finger tight, drop the car down quickly (assuming hydraulic jack), see if that breaks the wheel loose. If not, rock the car side to side to see if that will break up the corrosion. Doesn't do it - get in the car and drive back and forth a couple of times to free up the wheels.

If that doesn't get it loose, pull the wheel off, spray some penetrating fluid around each lug stud and around the interface between the wheel and the center nut. Take a coffee/tea/beer/soda break to give it a chance to soak in, repeat the above steps.

If all else fails - as mentioned above - couple of love taps with a BIG hammer or some Taekwondo practice will be needed.

[STOCK-trix]

+1 to everyone else, that is just the hub lol, You don't need to take that off.

Take a piece of wood put it against the wheel and give it nice bang with a sledge hammer. Put some anti-seize on when you put the wheel back on to stop this from happening again.

[bionictony]

make sure the tires aren't touching the ground. if it is, then jack it higher.

[justdon]

Iam going thru that now i sprayed it with some penetrating fluid and i will let it soak in for a few hours.Thank god i own 2 cars..

[Method]

my wife's matrix aluminum rims are always hard to get off. First time i ran into this problem i used a 2x4 stuck it between the ball joint and the back of the rim. pulled on with some force and it popped off.
Each time i change from winters to summer rims, i put a bit of anti-seize on the back of the rim where it sits against the rotor. Try not to get any anti-seize on any of the threads, you don't want your nuts to loosen them selves out.
Now it only takes the butt of my hand to free the tire loose.

[nickxrs]

Just beat the shit out of it. It takes awhile but eventually it comes off. then grease it up before you put it back on for next time.

Sent from my MB855 using AutoGuide.Com Free

[silver04rollas]

Usually rust sticks the wheel with the hub very tightly. Just like everyone else said, you will have to hit it pretty hard (while staying safe) and eventually it will come off.