Dodge RAM 1500 Wheel/Tire Changing Warning

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Ma Snart

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Just a heads up to you Dodge RAM owners. You will need to carry a sledge hammer in your truck if you expect to change a flat tire out on the road.

I do not know what is different about these wheels or hubs on the 2010 (I did not have this problem with my previous 4 RAM trucks), but both times I have rotated my tires, I had to go get my twenty pound sledge hammer out to break loose the wheel from the hub after removing the lug nuts. The first time I did this it was so difficult (even with the sledge) that I called the dealer service man to check on what I was doing. He said I was doing the right thing with the sledge, just hit the wheels harder, and that this is common issue with the new RAMS.

I thought maybe the first time was due to factory torques, or paint, ect. But the second time was almost harder to remove them.

I guess if you have a flat tire out on the road, the only good option to break loose the wheel from the hub without a sledge, is to loosen the lugs just a little, and then drop the wheel back on the ground using the weight of the truck to loosen the wheel.

Just thought I would mention to FABO members as I see many of you with RAMS, and at some point you may get to experiance wheel changing.

Happy Holidays

Ma Snart
 

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I've had a 2003,2007, and currently 2011 rams and all three did this. You have a aluminum wheel and cast steel rotor which being dissimilar metals will corrode together. I try to rotate more often. I've found out that if you sit on your butt and kick the bottom of the wheel using both feet and spin the wheel180 degrees while doing this they come off easier. Jayson
 
I had this problem on my Dakota. A little "never seize" on the hubs solved that problem...for the next owner. :banghead:
 
Never had a problem with mine, But back in the 90's i had to beat a rim off a mustang with a sledgehammer, for a customer messed up the tierod from beating on it .So be careful
 
apply some anti-seize to the hud mating surface, should take care of it for the next time.
 
Hub centric wheels always do that. They are designed for a tight fit on the hub thereby giving a better wheel/tire assembly mount on the vehicle.

Some grease or antiseize will help ease removal.

I have had to spin the tire and hit it on the backside with a hammer several times to break these loose when I was a tire tech.

I carry a tire changing "kit" with me that includes a 3 lb slegde just in case. LOL
 
I use never seize , and on occasion, in emergencies, I let the vehicle down with loose lugs and shift it from forward to reverse. This will break them loose.
 
Hey thanks to all on the comments. I thought about the grease/anti freeze idea but was not sure if that might cause a problem. Will put some on the next rotation.

My last truck was a 2005 - Never had a problem with it, but maybe that was because I did more of the following with it! LOL

Happy Holidays

Ma Snart
 

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Just rotated the tires on my Chebby with aluminum wheels, wifes Exploder as well......no hammer necessary....if the steel /aluminum thing were true then what about all the a-bodies running around with aluminum wheels....
 
Just rotated the tires on my Chebby with aluminum wheels, wifes Exploder as well......no hammer necessary....if the steel /aluminum thing were true then what about all the a-bodies running around with aluminum wheels....
Might have something to do with the alloys they are using. If I remember right my Jeeps came with plastic spacers to keep this from happening.
 
happened on my 2002 a couple of times with steel rims. I would loosen the lug nuts, drive it to the corner and back and still no luck. sledge worked but bent the rim. A grinder and never seize has solved it so far.
 
Just rotated the tires on my Chebby with aluminum wheels, wifes Exploder as well......no hammer necessary....if the steel /aluminum thing were true then what about all the a-bodies running around with aluminum wheels....

The old A-bodies didn't have a press fit on the center hub like the RAMS. The 5 bolt pattern with chamfered holes is what centered the wheel. Jayson
 
I know exactly what you are talking about! I thought the damn lug wrench was going to bend when rotating tires on my 2010. My 97 Ram has never been an issue though and I rotate those big meats every 6 months to make them last since they are so expensive. I was at a gas station a few months back and a lady with a 2005 model had a flat and two construction workers were trying to break her lugs loose, couldn't, and DID bend the lug wrench. She ended up parking it and catching a ride instead. Even after removing all the lugs on my 2010, I have to kick the heck out of the tires sides with the heel of my boot to be able to pull the wheel from the studs.
 

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Great, somthing to look forward to.Is that on all new models like 2011 also,i hope not.
 
My Mustang also has the hub centered set-up.

A little never-sieze on the wheel and hub takes care of it.
 
loosen the lugs half way and drive on it in a zig zag pattern. It will come loose.
 
This has been a problem forever. A generous coating of anti-seize on the back of the rims where they meet the hub and you'll be good to go.
 
I like to spray a light coating of Dow 321 (Molykote) on the rotor/drums instead of anti-seize. Not cheap (unless you can find an airline mechanic to get you a can)
It's quicker, less messy, doesn't attract dust/dirt or get gummy... Works good as a bullet mold release agent too!

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