Can't get flat tire off

They can get pretty tight on the hub. You can take a heavy hammer and hit the tire (not the wheel), and many times that will loosen it up. Good luck.

what you need is a rubber mallet, ive never been able to get my wheels off without one. it usualy will take 25-30 good whacks to break em loose.

I had that problem once on the side of the road... and I gave it a good kick somewehre towards the edge.. and it poped off...
Rust forms on both the rim and the rotor and causes the tolerances around the centering hub ring to get smaller and thus the wheel actually gets locked on there... wont take much to brake it loose though!

Leave one lug nut on loosely so the wheel doesn't fly off.
But yeah, good suggestions here.

I know that the seven spoke aluminum rims have a little hole for a screw, I beleive you can use a screw with the correct threading to force the rim off the rotor.

Matera97 said:

I know that the seven spoke aluminum rims have a little hole for a screw, I beleive you can use a screw with the correct threading to force the rim off the rotor.

Click to expand...

Help me Picture that... In the rim theres a threaded hole? Under the cap or something?

Trying to figure that out too....as there was a screwdriver in the flat tire kit

Did you ever get it off or are you waiting for a reasonable answer here before trying again?

If it were on a front tire I think I would try lowering the car to the ground and removing all but two or three lugs and keeping them a turn or two out fron full seat, then turn the wheel back and forth with loose lugs to break it free... But that and a sledge hammer to the tire a few times (from the inside out if possible) would be my train of thought I guess.

I have to kick the tire side to side sometimes to get it loose but never had it flat refuse to come off.

gunther1000 said:

Help me Picture that... In the rim theres a threaded hole? Under the cap or something?

Click to expand...

The seven spoke alloy rims have a large plastic center cap that covers the bolts. After prying that off, in between two of the bolts is a threaded hole. I can't find a pic with the center cap off, I'll take one of my rims when I get a chance.

Picture would be nice. Maybe that's my problem....I can get the center thing off, but I'm not sure what to do after that. There is a large, round metal cover after I get the plastic thing off from the middle. Is that supposed to come off too?

Thanks again

Okay, so do you have the seven spoke alloys? When you take the center cap off, are the bolts visable? Also I avoid using the wrench that came with the flat kit, I have a power bar with 18mm socket in the car at all times.

When I take the center cap off, the bolts are not visible. I think the metal cap under the plastic cap is supposed to come off, but is not

Man, if you could post a pic that would help a lot. With that last post I'm starting to get confused...:hmm:
Also you have not specified what set of rims you have, there was 3(maybe more) different alloy rims released with the Catera. 17" alloys that look like SS rims, 16" five spoke rims (also in chrome finish), and the 16" seven spoke alloys. What are we working with..lol

Hoosier said:

Trying to figure that out too....as there was a screwdriver in the flat tire kit

Click to expand...

FYI. The screwdriver in your flat kit is to manually close the sunroof.

Worst case scenario, (do this at your own risk) you can loosen the lugs about a turn or two and drive the car!
Scary but....
There shouldn't be a need to drive too far so don't go to the grocery store, just up and down your street maybe.

Update...The Tire was just rusted on. Had to get a huge hammer and knock it off. Took about 10 hits before it finally came off.