Mitsubishi Repair: removing wheels, propane torch, mitsubishi galant

Question
2001 mitsubishi galant sedan.  After i remove the lug nuts on the front wheels i cannot remove the wheels. they seem rusted onto the mounting hub. how can i loosen this up so i can remove the wheels? thanks, jim  

Answer
Jim,
I've run into this problem numerous times.  

The first thing you can try is the chemical approach.  Get some penetrating oil (PB Blaster is the best stuff on the market), and soak the lug bolts throughly.  Then, let the oil soak.  The longer, the better.  If you can wait overnight, that even better.  That should help loosen any rust welding and free the wheel from the hub.

If that doesn't work, the next method is heat.  If you have a propane torch, you can heat the lug bolts and the wheel area around the bolt.  The different rate of expanding metals can help free up and loose the wheel from the hub.  Be extremely careful with this method.  Where googles, gloves, and be sure not to get the flame near your tire or the gas or fuel lines.  

The last method is weight and brute strength.  With the car jacked up and the lug nuts off, slowly lower your car to the ground; allowing the weight of the car to sit on the tire.  If that alone does not break free the wheel, rock the car back and forth slowly and steadly.  Don't worry, your tire will not fall off your car.  

You can try any combination of these methods as well.  i have also had luck jacking up the car and securing on jack stands.  Then, getting under the car and kick the back of the tire.  That gets a little dirty because you have to lay on the ground while kicking, but it does work.  One of these methods should work for you.  Just be careful with which ever method you take.  You can hurt yourself a lot more than your car.
Good luck!