vabear

17 year old Grandsons '05 Mustang had a flat and I went to help him change the tire/wheel. Got her up on jacks and lug nuts off but the wheel was not about to come off. Car has multi-spoke alloys and in the center of the wheel deep and near the hub is a black plastic cap with Ford Logo and the Alpha Numerics EP33. Is this just a protective cover or maybe a center lock for the wheel, I called a local Ford garage and was told that was not a standard Ford item and to just kick the tire on both sides and see if she came off. Not wanting to knock her off the jacks or take the time (lazy) to put her on jacks stands, I plugged the tire on the hub. My question is again is that plastic piece holding the wheel on or is she just rusted on the hub?

youngmustanger

These cars do not have center locks! That cap you are talking about is used to keep the dust out of the wheel bearing? At least I think it's the bearing, if I am wrong someone will correct me.

mustangman02232

i believe you are correct, and anti-seize is a wonderful thing

157dB

Aluminum rims "rusted" on?
Aluminum does not rust.

vabear

First, thanks to all, second you are correct, only ferrous metal rusts so this puppy must have gunk on it or the hub (ferrous metal) may have rust on it and that is inhibiting the wheel removal. Tomorrow up on jack stands and let the kicking begin.

outastockjohn

these wheels have a hole in them to help center them when your putting them on just hit the wheel with a rubber mallot on the out side edge of the rim, move your hits from side to side and top to bottom it will come off.