Why Is My Tire Not Coming Off?

If you have ever been in a situation where you are asking why is my tire not coming off, you know how frustrating it can be. You try to loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench, but they just don’t seem to budge, or the tire wont come off the wheel hub.

In this article, we will discuss some of the possible reasons to the question why is my tire is not coming off and what you can do about it.

Why Is My Tire Not Coming Off?

There are a couple different reasons why you might find that your tire is not coming off.

The possible reasons may include because the lug nuts are seized and not coming loose or the tire is stuck or seized onto the wheel hub.

Seized Lug Nuts

If the lug nuts are not coming loose, it is likely because they are either rusted and or over tightened and seized in place. In either case, you will need to use a little more force to loosen them.

Make sure you are using the correct size socket, otherwise you run the risk of damaging or rounding off your lug nuts, and removal may become impossible. Try using a breaker bar or impact wrench to loosen the lug nuts.

A breaker bar is a long handle with a socket on one end. You can use it to apply more leverage and force to the lug wrench. A shop will most likely use an impact wrench to help remove lug nuts from a tire.

An impact wrench is a power tool that can loosen the lug nuts for you. If you don’t have either of these tools, you can try using a pipe or piece of wood to extend the handle of your lug wrench.

A tip for breaking your lug nuts loose with a normal lug wrench is to use two hands. Place one hand on the handle and the other hand on the end of the wrench to help stabilize it. Use your body weight to help apply force while you turn the wrench counterclockwise.

You may also want to try standing on the lug wrench to apply maximum force to unseize the lug nuts.

Stuck Tire

If your tire is not coming off and is stuck onto the wheel hub, there are a few things you can try to get it unstuck.

If the tire is stuck onto the wheel hub, it is likely because the wheel is rusted to the hub or there is something else preventing the tire from coming off.

In most cases, you will be able to get the tire unstuck by hitting the tire with a rubber mallet or a piece of wood. You can also try using WD-40 or another lubricant to help loosen the rust.

If that fails to loosen the wheel, another trick is to jack the car up and remove the lug nuts. Then go ahead and reinstall them but not to fully tighten them, and instead leave them 5 or 6 turn from being fully secure. Then lower the car and drive it forwards and backwards slowly a few feet a number of times.

This will help break the rust and hopefully allow you to remove the tire. Make sure to do this in a safe location away from other road users. If this fails to help you take your tire off, then you will likely need to take it to a mechanic or a tire shop to have them help you remove it.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand and answer why is my tire is not coming off and what you can do about it. Check out our guide on how to change a tire for the full guide on how to put on a spare tire. Remember to use caution and safety when working on your car.

If you are ever unsure, it is always best to consult with a professional mechanic.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!