Lazy Daze Owners' Group

I just recently purchased a 2002 MB and had the safe-t-plus and antisway bars installed by a very reputable shop here in San Diego area...  I noticed on a trip that one of the tires is losing air (about 2 PSI) per day and the extension valve would not work with the cap to test air despite using multiple guages I purchased.  I suspected that the alignment place screwed up the extension valves somehow and took it back to them on Monday.  They inspected tire, sprayed it, found no issue, and said to take it to a tire shop.  I took it to a tire shop today and these guys spent 30 mins trying to get the rear wheel off! It would not budge.  The studs are apparently misaligned and they used everything to try to pull off the tire... They gave up and I am back to having to take it to the alignment shop (when I called them, they said it took them 1.5 hrs to get it off but had not told me

Tim at LD says he has not heard of this problem before so what do you experts think?  I just wanted to get to the rear inside tire to see why it's losing air and now can't get either one off...
My plan is to have the alignment shop take it off and then put on the spare tire...

Thanks for your input on this one!

Hello JKAWORK! In the course of automotive events, it is not unusual for a wheel to be difficult to remove.  It almost always has nothing to do with the alignment of the wheel studs. Usually, it has everything to do with the size of the opening in the center of the wheel and whether or not that size has been reduced by corrosion (rust) or physical damage to the hole periphery.  Basically, the wheel is 'sticking' to the axle flange.

You will need to find a reputable mechanic who will work the wheel off, inspect for damage, clean off any corrosion - and possibly slightly enlarge the hole opening to fit the axle flange.  The inner wheel will need the same check.  I suggest your calling around to wheel and frame shops and after checking the one that seems to best understand the above problem, ask how much it will cost and take your LD there after checking them out in your local better Business Bureau phone guide.  If you want to be really conservative, take your LD to an authorized Ford Truck Repair Station and have them put on a new wheel.

If you just have the spare put on, what will you do when you have to use that tight wheel as a spare out in the hinterlands?  Not good.

Your problem happens more than people might think.  I've experienced it several times and on a few, the darn wheel seemed like it was never going to come off!

Don McG 2001 LD MB PS. You need to replace that short plastic valve core extension with one that works.