[atv]

I have a Honda TRX250EX (2001). I bought it used and it had sand tires on the back when I bought it. I went home and switched back to the normal tires - when I did this, one wheel came right off, the other was a little hard, but came with a good pull.

We went to the sand dunes so I put on the sand tires again, now I want to switch back to the regulars and I can't get the wheels off. I removed the lug nuts and went to pull the wheels off, but both won't budge. I look close and it seems that when I tightened (probably way tighter than previous owner) the tapered lug nuts, it "crimped" the metal from the rims into the threads of the lug nut studs. The holes in these rims are a smaller diameter than the normal rims.

I have tried pulling with all my strength, kicking, hitting with a hammer (on a 2x4), hitting with bigger hammer, hitting with small sledge hammer. I also found a small jaw puller and tried that - but it never really grabbed correctly since I had to reverse the jaws outward.

Any ideas on how in the world I can get these off?

 

[n328]

Just a thought try rolling it back and forth in gear. Might break them loose.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. I agree with n328. If a big sledge hammer won't bring them off, try putting the ATV in gear and moving it. If you get on the ATV, drive slow, of course. It's possible that you might break the studs by doing this, but it might be your only option.

 

[n328]

Hey Helmut you think he could knock a couple studs out opposite of each other that may help, then just put them back afterwards. If the threads aren't messed up bad, if they are they're pretty cheap.

 

[Helmut]

Hey Helmut you think he could knock a couple studs out opposite of each other that may help, then just put them back afterwards. If the threads aren't messed up bad, if they are they're pretty cheap.

Possibly, but he would probably mess the threads up getting them out. He might also take a die grinder and cutoff wheel and cut the studs off flush with the front of the rim and then knock them off from the back with a sledge hammer. Hit the back of the tire, not the rim. Anyway he goes about it will likely damage the wheel studs, but like you said, wheel studs are pretty cheap to replace.

 

[atv]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I was afraid I might have to end up damaging something, but studs shouldn't be too bad. I'll try the easy methods first and hopefully they will come loose. If not, do you have to "seat" new studs? If so, what's the best method?

 

[Helmut]

If not, do you have to "seat" new studs? If so, what's the best method?

I always just start the new stud in from the back side and then use a lug nut to draw the stud in. I use an old nut that's too big to fit the stud, as a spacer, so I don't have to run the lug nut all the way up. By tightening the lug nut down, it will draw the stud in. I would use the same lug nut to install all the studs and then get new lug nuts for the studs. Just make sure it goes all the way in and it can't come out, once you get the rims bolted on.

 

[94300ex]

agreed do what he ^^^^^^ said. one thing you can do to get the wheels off is take the hub off and drill the studs out like you would do on a pop rivet. i don't like to do that unless its an absolute have to because you ruin the studs and risk damaging the hub but it does work.

 

[Reece616]

I had this problem before (and on the same machine.)
I ended up taking the whole hub off, and then using a mini sledge and a big bolt (as a punch) to tap each of the studs until the hub came apart of the wheel.
I thought it would have messed up the threads but it went on just as good.
Good luck.

 

[Exaviator]

That almost sounds like what may happen if the conical lug nuts are put on backwards. But ATV DID mention "tapered" nuts, so he is well aware of that.

 

[ostrx250]

atv if you havent done any of the above i drilled a hole in a piece of angle iron tapped it and ran a new bolt through it chained it to the rim put torque on it then alternate torque and hitting with a hammer (tire only) as soon as it starts to move try and keep the treads clear of material from rim shouldnt take much