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March 18, 2009 12:37 p.m. PubBurgers HalfDork

I recently picked up a much neglected VW Fox wagon for the princely sum of $300. Problem is, the brakes pretty much dont exist. My first instinct is to try bleeding them. When i went to remove the drivers front wheel, i couldnt get it offf the car. Here's what ive tried:

Repeated kicking

Loosening the lugs and driving back and forth

as much prying as i feel comfortable with

rocking/dropping the car with loose lugs

more kicking

using the wood/hammer method

it's soaking in PB blaster as of right now

any more ideas? I dont have a mallet but may have to buy one if i dont have any other choice. I also dont have a torch or access to one.

thanks!

Jacques
March 18, 2009 12:52 p.m. G_Stock New Reader

You could run another car into it at low (or high) speed.

Or get a 20lbs sledge and just wail on it. That's what worked for my parts SAAB I had in back yard.
March 18, 2009 12:56 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork

get a bigger hammer.....
March 18, 2009 1:01 p.m. mad_machine UltraDork

lug bolts right?

leave the bolts tight to keep the wheel from coming off of the hub.. but loose to whre when it does come loose, you can wobble the rim.

Jack the drive wheels off the ground, start her up, put her in gear, and give her some throttle.. and then slam on the brakes.. the moment of the rims wanting to keep going vs the brakes wanting to stop should break them loose
March 18, 2009 1:20 p.m. oldopelguy HalfDork

Loosen them up one full turn from tight, all of them, then drive it around the block. Make sure you turn right to put some lateral force on that left front. If it bothers you to drive on it after it pops loose then just stop and tighten it up before you finish the trip.

That or get out the shotgun.
March 18, 2009 1:23 p.m. Strizzo Dork

i think some folk have had good results with a 2x4 across the face of the wheel and wailing on it with a BFH
March 18, 2009 1:48 p.m. Woody Dork

Is it still cold where you live?

Every year when I go to install the snow tires on my Tacoma, I have a hard time getting the wheels off. They are hub centric and the aluminum wheel centers get stuck on the centering rings of the axle when the metal is cold. I have to drive around a bit and generate some heat from the brakes to get the metal to expand enough to release the wheel.
March 18, 2009 1:53 p.m. PubBurgers HalfDork

Thanks for all the replies!

As for the temperature, its about 70 degrees today, i also threw some boiling water on it hoping that would be hot enough to do the job but no dice.

The reason i havent driven around the block is that the brakes are REALLY bad, im not sure i feel comfortable doing over 5mph as it is. I may try jacking up the front and getting on the brakes while the wheels are spinning though.

If all else fails, bigger hammer it is.
March 18, 2009 2:22 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

loosen lugs.

raise with jack.

release jack pressure fast.

repeat
March 18, 2009 2:33 p.m. 914Driver Dork

Stupid question, but did you use PB Blaster?

If the wheel is this hard, fugure on buying new bleeder screws....
March 18, 2009 2:37 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

Shotgun
March 18, 2009 2:37 p.m. John Brown MegaDork

1: MAPP gas 2: heat area between lug bolts 3: hit from behind with 32oz Field Operated Impact Generator 4: repeat x 4
March 18, 2009 3:55 p.m. oldopelguy HalfDork

Might also loosen the lug nuts about 3 turns, enough to allow some flex, and turn the wheel back and forth a few times with no jack under the car. Use the mechanical advantage of the sttering rack to help you out.
March 18, 2009 4:38 p.m. Jensenman MegaDork

On MGs etc with stuck wire wheels, you loosen the nut and drive the car slowly in a circle or if you have enough room a figure 8. If that doesn't work, you use dynamite 'cause a shotgun isn't enough. Even if the brakes are really crappy 2 or 3 MPH shouldn't be uncontrollable.
March 18, 2009 5:05 p.m. ansonivan New Reader

Not a terribly practical idea:

1 - bottle jack 1 - length of 4x4 or steel pipe 1 - helper

Have your helper hold the chunk of pipe/wood so that it partly spans the gap between the front wheels, complete the gap with bottle jack. Jack away until the wheels bend or pop off the hub.
March 18, 2009 5:12 p.m. mad_machine UltraDork

I think I am jealous.. I wanted a fox wagen back when they were new
March 18, 2009 5:19 p.m. sector7 New Reader

BFH.. works every time.
March 18, 2009 6:42 p.m. iceracer Reader

If kicking it didn't work, I used a 16lb sledge hammer. Hit the tire, not the rim. Won't hurt the tire.
March 18, 2009 7:08 p.m. 44Dwarf Reader

loosen lugs block the other wheel rev and dump clutch.
March 18, 2009 8:06 p.m. Toyman01 Reader

Last one I fought, I used a 2X6X8 and a piece of rope. Tied the rope to one side of the wheel through the wheel and around the tire. Using it as a long lever it popped loose. That one was a lug nut the wife rounded off. Had enough leverage to break what was left of the stud after I had drilled it.
March 19, 2009 3:07 p.m. TR3only New Reader

I once had an AUDI Fox....strangely enough, I had the same thing happen. Well, almost the same thing, a rear wheel / brake locked up.
March 19, 2009 6:09 p.m. Travis_K HalfDork

I remember hearing that there was a car that had major problems with that ( I think one of the older models of thunderbird), where the wheels would get stuck firmly enough they had to be removed one small piece at a time with a sledgehammer. Hopefully it will come off easier than that.
March 19, 2009 6:58 p.m. mad_machine UltraDork

I had it happen with my hyundai excel.. the aluminum rim would electroweld itself to the rear drums

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