Alloy wheel removal

[golfgtiingillingeast]

Yesterday I fitted mud flaps to my 67 reg gti pp. Very easy job. Getting the alloy wheels off was another matter. I managed to slacken 3 sets od wheel studs with a normal socket set. One wheel needed the assistance of a scaffold tube to free off one set of wheel studs.
Once the studs were removed, I needed to give the wheels / tyre some serious aggro for break the alloy away from the hubs. Obviously the wheels had never been removed before. All of the above was carries out under garage conditions, god forbid doing it be the road side using the VW featherweight jack. The car is only 9 months old with 3000 miles on the clock.
Anyway on refitting all of the studs and the hub faces were given a light coat of copper grease. It will not be a problem in the future.

[fredgroves]

Most likely caused by 3000 miles in 9 months... its sat still rather a lot...

[golfgtiingillingeast]

Is copper grease ok on wheel studs ?

[CHB100]

Is copper grease ok on wheel studs ?

Yes, Ive used copper slip ever since my F1 days at Tyrrell in the 80s. Mainly on wheel studs for reasons posted.

[mcmaddy]

I had the same issue at the weekend although my wheel nuts were perfectly fine to remove it was the wheel that was stuck to the hub. Just needed a bit of jiggling about but got them off eventually. What do people use around the centre of the wheel to stop it getting stuck?

[Talk-torque]

The same copper slip grease can be used around the spigot, that sticks out from the hub and locates the wheel, and on the studs. Only use it very lightly - it is there to stop corrosion, not lubricate. Just a thin coating is required.

[rjwojcik]

I use copper grease on the spigot, NEVER on the thread of the bolts.  Loads of info on the net but in essence you apply more stress on the bolts using the same torque, so they may either fail (snap) or come loose.  They're specified to be tightened dry, without any lubrication.

[golfgtiingillingeast]

Totally agree that in mechanical engineering theory, copper slip would not be recommended on wheel bolts. In practical motoring maintenance I see now issue with the use of copper slip. I have used it for 40 years without issue.
1 How many car owners have a torque wrench.
2 Have you ever seen a tyre fitter refit a wheel using anything other than a windy spanner ?

[Talk-torque]

You will find opinion on the internet for both using copper slip, or not using copperslip on wheel studs, which suggests, to me anyway, that there is nothing proven either way. I was a mechanical design engineer, so I know the theory, but, honestly, the tolerances involved here mean you are always going to be in working range for stress on the stud. I’ve used it, as said above, sparingly, on the threads of wheel studs, never on the taper seats, for many years, and never had any problems, certainly not any stud failure, nor have I heard of one. Best of all, I know that I’m not going to struggle to remove a wheel.