Hi everyone. I got a new to me 98 Mazda B2500 pickemup. I really like it and am considering a brand new one. Recently Something happened to the rear brake, probably a wheel cylinder. I'm replacing it along with the brakes today but for the life of me I can't get the rear wheel off. It casn't possibly be as hard as it seems to be. Is there a trick, possiblt removal of the center hub,that I'm not seeing or is it just frozen on there. If its frozen should I beat it off or is there a simpler less damaging way?

Thanks Mike

 

emergency brake on?

 

That would stop the wheel coming off.? Just the wheel, I'm not at the hub yet, although at the rate I'm going the wheel and hub would be ok.

 

If you have all the lugs off it should come off. Give it a good jerk!

 

That was my theory too, I have whacked it from behind with a sledge (with wood) and still stuck. Right now its got wd40 sprayed all over the brake hub, hopefully will thaw it a bit.
If I were the take the hub and the wheel how does that center piece come out. Special Ford tool?
Mike

 

o ya i misunderstood. Usually just i couple hits with the sledge around the tire loosens it up.

 

yeah it happens all the time at work. Put one lug about half way on, this will prevent the rim from screwing up the threads. Then just beat on it with the BFH and it will come off. Theres no special parts or anything holding it on. Its just rust and corrosion.

Before you put your rims back on take a wire brush and clean up the back of the wheel and the back of the rim.

 

Back to the BFH then....will let you know.

Mike

 

try hitting it on the wheel studs with a nut on the way. It might be enough to shock the rust away. Also alternate hitting one side to the other to kinda wiggle it loose. You have to get the wheel off to take out the rear axle. There is no "hub" there really, just your brakes an axel shaft and bearings.

 

In a last ditch hope, if you are really really brave, you can take and very very very very slowly drop the jack down and as more and more weight gets put on the tire it will break free. I would not suggest this, we did it on my sisters car once.

 

Thanks for you help guys........
It finally popped off using a prybar between the wheel and the drum. I kept going around till it broke free. I was really stuck there and I got a 3" gash for my trouble.....but...I got er dun..

Mike

 

Popped a tire of my Dads ford Tempo and put it on my Mustang just to get me home one night. Front Wheel drive rim on RWD car? Didnt come off without a sledge-hammer.