I have an 85 Dodge D150 Ram truck. An owner of the truck before me painted the rims which are stuck on the spindle. I think they painted the spindle first, the rim on before the paint was completely cured, and then painted the rim after putting it back on the spindle. They also pained the lug nuts onto the studs. I was able to get the nuts loose, but I have tried everything I can think of to get the rim off. I even bought some Aircraft paint remover and scrubbed the paint off from around where the rim sits on the spindle. I've also tried dropping the truck, several times, with loosened lug nuts to try and break it free and that didn't work. One thing I haven't tried is driving the it back and forth, with loosened lug nuts, as it isn't running at the moment due to a carburetor issue. The carb issue isn't a big deal, I know what to do to fix it. Does anyone have any other suggestions besides driving it back and forth with loosened lug nuts? I would greatly appreciate any help with this issue.

Sincerely,

Thea.

You can see how I tried to clean the paint off from around the spindle

Driver Side Front rim stuck by paint

Passenger Side Front rim stuck by paint

 

I have had luck with freeing stuck rims by loosening the lug nuts, and accelerating, then quickly applying the brakes aggressively. Of course, you'll need the engine running to accomplish that. Leave the lugs on but loose so you don't lose a wheel in the process! That's about the most force you can apply safely. Hope that helps!

 

Heat would likely work as well, but, that has drawbacks all it's own.

I have been known to put a 2X4 against the back side of the rim, and slam it with a sledge hammer as well. That usually works after a few hits.

 

If any of you have worked on heavy trucks(250 +) you will be familiar with this. It's not paint but rust keeping it on there. The center diameter of the rim and the spindle/hub rusts and that alone will keep it on there. Even beating on it the a BFH and a block of wood doesn't work. Remove the nuts and heat up around the center bore and lug nut holes with a torch. This will expand the metal enough to get the rim off. And when you put the rim back on grind down the rust and use some never seize!

 

the rim likely has suck a snug fit around the center of the hub that it may require some persuasion to knock it off. it is usually only an issue with front hubs. once the rim is off you can use something like a rotatory file to open up the center hole enough to give you some wiggle room

 

I had a Furd Powerstroke that the aluminum rims had electrolytically welded to the drums and discs. I've seen guys whack the inside with a sledge hammer but hitting a tire with a big hammer is a good way to break your nose. I would suggest three steps to maybe getting the wheels off.

#1, do you have a bunch of kids, preferably teenagers that eat all your food? Get them to earn their keep. Set the truck on it's wheels. Loosen all the lug nuts 2 or 3 turns. Don't take them off. With the wheels straight, get to chow hounds to push the truck back and forth sideways. Get that puppy rocking. You now have the weight of the truck pushing back and forth.

#2, if the front wheels are still stuck, and the brakes work. Get the food hogs to push it. Once you get going, turn the wheels and hit the brake hard. The lateral inertia may pop the drums loose.

#3, If the drums are STILL stuck, pull the bearing covers off and remove the front wheel bearings. Slide the whole assembly off. Brace it up on wood blocks, preferably against the inside of the rim. Tires like to bounce. Once the wheel is braces, lay a piece of wood across the spindle tower in the middle. Get a DBH (Darn Big Hammer) like a 20 pound sledge and wail away on the wood.

One of these should pop it loose. Once you get it apart, clean the rust and paint from around the center hole. Smear a thin film of grease on the edges and where the drum sits against the drum. This will keep it from rusting together.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I did finally get them off.
There was paint stuck in the groove between the spindle and the hole where the rim slides on.
After I finally got the rims off, I also discovered the spindles were painted up to the disks. It likely,
the rims were put back on before the paint was completely cured on the spindle, and then the rims
painted after putting them back on as well.

 

I've seen that numerous times over the years. That's why I know so many ways to get wheels off. A drill, corded or cordless, with a wire wheel is your friend here. Take your time and clean all the paint off. If and when you decide to paint the wheels, be sure to NOT paint inside the whole. I'd also put a thin film of wheel bearing grease on the drum where the wheel meets it. That way it doesn't rust on down the road.