Howdy all, guess I'll start without pictures.

New owner of an old 2005 Express 2500 with plenty of miles. Didn't pay that much and it will be a project, though intend to keep it a work vehicle.

Of course, I've hit stopper #1: Rusty Wheel removal. Got one out of four so far and, luckily, all lugs nuts off. The one front, I haven't tried many tricks yet. The big problem is the two rear.

I've tried:
Penetrating fluid for days
Whack-a-tire
Drive around the block several times with loose nuts
Dropping with a 2x4 on the inner underside of the tire
Driving back and forth of same 2x4
Propane torch

No luck, not even a blip. I'm lost what else to try, any other tidbits? Am I missing something?

 

can you get a jack or something between the wheel and the frame? A great big long 2x4 to lever it off?

 

Might try a jack, what's the likelihood of bending the rim?

 

Do you have an air hammer ( )? Try hitting the wheel with that. might be able to vibrate the rust loose.

 

Good idea, air hammer, next try.





So far, after much cursing, no progress. These things are STUCK. About ready to head to a shop just to remove wheels!





Tried jack, no good place to push without the the steering rack taking a trip. Whacking from inside, zippo. Torch, heated some before the propane bottle gave its last gasp. And last, couldn't find a decent leverage point for my crow bar!





I already shudder how bad removing the brake calipers will be. Oh well, gives me something to do.

 

I tried a palm nailer with a piece of rebar. Cost me some paint and took about four whacks from the hammer afterward and finally popped!

Two more to go...yeah, maybe this weekend.

 

POP! POP! POP! WHINE!

Got one of rear wheels off, finally. Hydraulic jack pushing off the frame. Had to do one end, rotate 180, do the other. Thing was stuck on the hub center. Trying to stop that rust weld will be interesting.

One to go!

 

Keep a bottle of copper anti-seize around for when you put the wheels and rotors back on. I wouldn't be surprised if your wheel bearings give out in a few months. They don't like forceful removal of wheels and brake rotors.