Just got back from COSTCO and they told me that the could not put the new tires on because they could not get the front ones off. They said that 3 different guys tried with a 10 pound sledge and could not budge them. I called the toyota dealer and he said he has never heard of this. He said the only way he knows is to use a hammer. Any one had this problem? I thought i would start by soaking in liquid wrench and going from there. Any Ideas?

 

cross threaded lug nuts???? Anyway you look at it, it sounds bad

 

I had this same problem when I first got my MT II's. I was trying to remove my stock alloys up front and could not get them off. It was ridiculous! I tried everything!!! No GO!!!

I took them to my Mieneke guy for a brake issue and they were able to free them. Maybe go into one of those places that does free brake inspections??

 

Loosen lugs by a few mm. drive 10mph then brake. That would apply a bit more force than a 10lb sledge.

I've always thought what is the point of people carrying spare tires.

#1) Most factory tire irons would break if the lugs were put on by an impact wrench yielding mechanic.
#2) Most would have same problem that COSTCO had.

I bet we would save millions barrels of oil each day by taking out the weight of useless spares

 

make sure they know this simple rule:
"righty tighty, lefty loosey" afterall, you were getting it done at COSTCO


<----- works at sams club

 

I think he means all of the lugnuts are off already. I had the same problem. No lug nuts and the wheels were "fused" to the rotor.

 

Heck with the stock lug nut wrench I was able to snap one of the studs when it froze to the lug nut, trying to take off the back wheel.

MNRUNNER, you need to clarify if you mean the wheels or the lug nuts...

 

I recomend the "Jack and Drop" or curbing the wheels with lug nuts loose.

 

My thoughts exactly

 

Sounds kind of scary/dangerous. No offense meant, but have you ever done this?

 

The lug nuts were off but the rim was froze on the hub. I think I will try the "losen the nuts and hit the brake" idea. Thanks for the ideas.

 

One other question. Do I have them put on white letters out or in? BFG TA KO. I was thinking white in.

 

Your choice, I run the same type tire with white in.

 

If you do the drive/brake with lug nuts off, remember to put them back on before going to the shop.

My friends el camino took a nose dive around a right hand corner because unbenounced to him, someone had stolen his lug nuts.

I also have BFG AT KO's, black out though. Easier to maintain, and looks good with my black truck, but totally up to you. good luck!

 

Just loosen the lugs a couple of turns and do some circles with the truck.
That should be plenty to free any stuck rim up.

 

Yes, many times. On a lugcentric wheels like a 3rd gen it's even more safe than otherwise.

 

He won't be taking the lugs off to break the rim off, just loosen ing them.

 

I loosen the lugs and spray the hub with something like PB Blaster and then start it up and turn the wheel back and forth from lock to lock with the tires on the ground. That usually pops them loose just fine.

Now, if these guys are that incompetent that they can not deal with this simple problem, are you really going to trust them to mount your new tires and give them a proper balance???

PLEASE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

I have actually had good luck with COSTCO and tire mounting/balancing
The guys in that particular shop may be lacking tho.

 

I mean when they start beating on a Toyota wheel with a sledge hammer, you really need to get the hell out of there.

Slather a bit of antiseize in the contact area between the wheel and the hub so this won't happen again.

Gadget