Wheel adapter seized

[raidernixon]

Over the weekend, I went to remove my wheel adapters to find they were seized. I saw someone mention something about that a while ago but thought it wouldn't apply to me because my hubs were in great shape, almost new when I put them on and I keep my car very clean. Well it turns our seized wheel adapters is a thing. After a search on the Internet, I found lots of people with the problem. I tried spraying penetrating fluid on them and letting them soak over night. I beat on them HARD with a 2 lb sledge hammer and flat tip screwdriver for a couple hours and they wouldn't budge. I finally had to put a propane torch to it. After heating it up good, I used a heavy pry bar (called Superbar) and the 2 lb sledge and finally was able to work if free. I was amazed at the rust all over the back and in near the hub! There was no warning from the outside, everything looked clean.

I've spent quite a while trying to clean up the hubs and the adapters so they can go back on. after a hard lesson, now I know to use Aluminum Anti-Seize Lubricant on them before installing. If you put wheel adapters on and didn't use anti-seize on them, I encourage you to give it a look.

I really wish I would have taken pictures to share, how clean it looked before removing the adapters and all the rust and corrosion on the adapters and hub after I finally broke them free.

Seriously, thanks for the heads up. I have 1-inch hub-centric adapters (garage line brand, painted/coated black) on my 16 GT. I took them off about 2 weeks ago for a tire change and noticed a bit of rust on the hubs behind them. I have since re-installed the adapters...looks like I will get to take them off again to apply the anti-seize. Oh well, I guess this is a good time to get in there and really clean up the wheel wells, suspension components, and inside of the rims while the wheels are out of the way.

How long had your adapters been installed before you discovered the issue? Had they been removed before at all? What brand are your adapters and are they painted/coated?

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[jbailer]

Seriously, thanks for the heads up. I have 1-inch hub-centric adapters (garage line brand, painted/coated black) on my 16 GT. I took them off about 2 weeks ago for a tire change and noticed a bit of rust on the hubs behind them. I have since re-installed the adapters...looks like I will get to take them off again to apply the anti-seize. Oh well, I guess this is a good time to get in there and really clean up the wheel wells, suspension components, and inside of the rims while the wheels are out of the way.

How long had your adapters been installed before you discovered the issue? Had they been removed before at all? What brand are your adapters and are they painted/coated?

They are Coyote 1" aluminum wheel adapters I bought from American Muscle that are unfinished aluminum and had been on the car for 21 months without being removed.

Oh and you're VERY welcome! If this saves anybody from going through the trouble I went through, that's a very good thing!

 

[THE_AHJ]

Appreciate this thread very much! I just installed the 25mm kit from CJ last Friday. Was going in this Friday to re-torque everything so I'll use some anti-seize, this time around.

 

[wildcatgoal]

I get blue loctite from Amazon in the biggest container they sell.

I actually use silver anti-sieze on the threads and a very thin coat behind the wheel where it touches the hub.

 

[THE_AHJ]

I get blue loctite from Amazon in the biggest container they sell.

I actually use silver anti-sieze on the threads and a very thin coat behind the wheel where it touches the hub.

Will any of these will do sir?

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3753...=1492462537&sr=8-1&keywords=silver+anti-seize

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3756...=1492462569&sr=8-2&keywords=silver+anti-seize

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3761...=1492462589&sr=8-3&keywords=silver+anti-seize

 

[BmacIL]

I get blue loctite from Amazon in the biggest container they sell.

I actually use silver anti-sieze on the threads and a very thin coat behind the wheel where it touches the hub.

Careful doing this...that changes the required torque to achieve clamp load. I would not recommend this unless you know what you need to go up to.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Never had an issue, but good to know. Far as I'm going to be concerned, 148 ft. lbs. is 148 ft. lbs.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Will any of these will do sir?

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3753...=1492462537&sr=8-1&keywords=silver+anti-seize

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3756...=1492462569&sr=8-2&keywords=silver+anti-seize

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-3761...=1492462589&sr=8-3&keywords=silver+anti-seize

Should be fine. I don't use copper anti except high temp with dissimilar metals. Not sure if that's the right thing to do but hey...

 

[Mustang_Lou]

I coated mine with that silver anti-seize stuff using a brush on the spacers face only and they came off very easy when I took them off to install my new wheels ... was only 300 km mind you.

 

[jbailer]

So I just finished getting everything cleaned up and was putting it all back together and now I can't even torq down the lug nuts trying to re-install the wheel adapter. I had them all torqued down to 150 lb ft. When I pulled them off, they all felt fine and felt like a good 150 lb ft. Putting them back on, they wouldn't even torque to 80 lb ft. Any ideas? Did the lugs really all strip? Maybe something to do with the penetrating fluid I sprayed on there trying to get the adapters off?

 

[BmacIL]

So I just finished getting everything cleaned up and was putting it all back together and now I can't even torq down the lug nuts trying to re-install the wheel adapter. I had them all torqued down to 150 lb ft. When I pulled them off, they all felt fine and felt like a good 150 lb ft. Putting them back on, they wouldn't even torque to 80 lb ft. Any ideas? Did the lugs really all strip? Maybe something to do with the penetrating fluid I sprayed on there trying to get the adapters off?

Possibly. Degrease them.

 

[jbailer]

Possibly. Degrease them.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. It's just hard to believe they were all ok and suddenly every one of them stripped. Maybe I'll pull them out and clean them up then re-insert them.

 

[Fordever]

So I just finished getting everything cleaned up and was putting it all back together and now I can't even torq down the lug nuts trying to re-install the wheel adapter. I had them all torqued down to 150 lb ft. When I pulled them off, they all felt fine and felt like a good 150 lb ft. Putting them back on, they wouldn't even torque to 80 lb ft. Any ideas? Did the lugs really all strip? Maybe something to do with the penetrating fluid I sprayed on there trying to get the adapters off?

Seems kinda weird that ALL of them are doing it. :shrug:

Stupid question but, is your torque wrench screwed up maybe?

 

[jbailer]

Seems kinda weird that ALL of them are doing it. :shrug:

Stupid question but, is your torque wrench screwed up maybe?

No, definitely not. They wouldn't even take 80 lb ft. I really think it's from the penetrating fluid. It's the only thing that makes sense. I tried to clean it all up but some must be in there still.

 

[jbailer]

Both hubs and studs are all stripped. FML :frusty:

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