I disassembled and cleaned the brake fluid reservoir yesterday, replacing the tubing and getting all the gunk out of it. I put the back of the car up on stand in order to bleed the brakes, and I find I can't get either rear wheel off (and yes, I did remove the lug nuts). I shot some WD40 into the lug nut holes...no luck.

I'm tempted to slowly jack one side down just until the tire makes contact to see if that will loosen it up. But is there a better way?

Thanks,
John
1987 XJ-S V12, 62,000 miles

 

Yes there is a better way. The aluminum wheels like to adhere to the steel with a slight bit of corrosion. Generally a few whacks to the edge of the rim with a deadblow hammer will loosen it up.
If you don't have a deadblow hammer, then you can take a piece of wood and put it against the rim underneath on the inside, and hit it with a good sized hammer.

 

Been there, done that, many times. Sometimes getting the wheels off can be a major pain.

If the hammer and lumber technique doesn't work (it usually does) try driving the car slowly (like, walking pace) in a few figure-8 patterns with the lugnuts slightly loose.....just loose enough that the wheels can move off the hubs 1/16" of an inch or so when they break free.

Before reassembly clean the corrosion off the mating areas of the wheels and hubs and lubricate with them with a thin layer of grease. Some use anti-seize for this but, IMHO, ordinary wheel bearing grease works perfectly well.

Cheers
DD

 

Had the same issue this weekend. Plenty of WD 40 and a rubber mallet. Greased before putting back.

 

WD40 is not effective for anything similar to this problem. Throw it away. Reinstall the lugnuts leaving them two or three turns loose and roll the car around. Voila/walla.

 

Loose wheel nuts, roll forward and stamp on the brakes also works.
Good for breaking free brake rotors too.

 

Helps if you can bench 300+ pounds: brute force and plenty of lubricant / penetrative oil.

 

I had to drive one of mine around in circles for 30 minutes with the wheel lugs loosened!!! I put neversieze one the hub before reinstalling. Best trick I found is throw an old towel over the tire to protect the rim, sit on the ground and give it a firm kick with your heel top then bottom, rinse and repeat until it finally moves. Up side is even if your lugs fall off chances are your tire won't! May be a Jaguar safety feature they don't advertise.

 

Well, the hammer and lumber technique didn't get me anywhere...it's really hard to get a good swing when lying on ones side (especially with one hand holding a 1 x 4, leaving only the other hand to swing)...so I'll take a shot at driving it around a bit with the nuts loose tomorrow.

It was interesting to note that the left muffler has the British Leyland emblem stamped on it, but the right one doesn't...or maybe it's on top of the right one. For some reason my entire exhaust system is painted silver...is this common?

Thanks!
John
1987 XJS V12, 62000 miles.

 

I at first you don't succeed.................... get a bigger hammer just remember to swing gently and to use the wood block

 

I have a 20lb rubber mallet and I just hit the wheel.bottom and then top to make it free