How to remove mkv rims?

[Dyldo]

sounds like a nooblet question i know, but before i attempt to take them off i was wondering:-
a) it looks like a hex key/allen key type deal on the rim nuts - is there a special tool needed?
and
b) any other tips people are willing to share about jacking the car up, safety, lift points, good chance to clean everything, etc?

[M4RK0]

Hi Dyldo,

If you have the original manual of your car there's a well explained part about how to change the tyres, including the uplift points,

If you don't have the manual you can go to any VW dealer and they will give you one, don't know if for free, but they have lots of them,

Cheers!

[Maverick]

Hi Dyldo,

If you have the original manual of your car there's a well explained part about how to change the tyres, including the uplift points,

If you don't have the manual you can go to any VW dealer and they will give you one, don't know if for free, but they have lots of them,

Cheers!

x 2 RTFM

b) any other tips people are willing to share about jacking the car up, safety, lift points, good chance to clean everything, etc?

Don't use the stock jack if you're planning on doing anything other than one wheel at a time and don't put any part of your body under the car unless you have some stands in place. The stock jack is flimsy even on level surfaces and if you're planning on replacing your wheels I would take it into a tyre shop and pay them the $20-30 for them to swap them around for you.

Otherwise buy a proper trolley jack and get some stands to sit the car on. It's not worth risking serious injury or death over a few dollars and it sounds like you have no experience in this sort of work. Incorrect use of the jack, a trolley jack or the stands could result in major damage to the Golf as well.

[BarneyBoy]

[QUOTE=Dyldo;360887]...it looks like a hex key/allen key type deal on the rim nuts - is there a special tool needed?

I think what you're referring to is the lock nut (only 1 of the 5 per wheel?).
You should find the male part of it in your tool kit (with the spare wheel, tyre brace &c). It fits onto the tyre brace so you can remove the wheel. It's normally stored in the black styrene surrounding the spare wheel (stuck in a hole thereabouts).

Another good accessory for wheel changing would be a couple of foldable chocks that you can keep in the boot too. They're available from AutoBarn/Cheap AutoParts &c for a few bucks. For the few seconds it takes to use them, they're good insurance.

[chrisgti]

think he's talking bout the plastic bolt caps that you dig out with that bit of wire

[BarneyBoy]

think he's talking bout the plastic bolt caps that you dig out with that bit of wire

He's got a Pacific TDI, not a GTI

[chrisgti]

fairy nuff, well somebody who doesnt know how to take a wheel off probably wont put it back on properly.

[vwgolfgolf]

Just do one wheel at a time on a square level solid surface.

[G-rig]

Hi Dyldo, i thought the car would have come with the tool required, did you check in the tool kit etc?

[madglf3]

think he's talking bout the plastic bolt caps that you dig out with that bit of wire

I am assuming he means these, I have them on my MK4 and just took them off with an allen key (any tool/implement with an angled part will do.) Just put the tool in there, get a good grip and they'll pull right out.

[scotty1991]

He's got a Pacific TDI, not a GTI

Pacific comes with black plastic covers over the nuts

[mtj007]

My Pacific's got the black plastic covers over the nuts, there's a silver metal thing in my spare wheel kit which removes them.

[acdcfan]

think he's talking bout the plastic bolt caps that you dig out with that bit of wire

I've got those on my TDI

[Maverick]

Pacific comes with black plastic covers over the nuts

If that is the case surely he can open the manual where it explains all of this in detail! Sheeesh VW should make people sit a test on basic things before they're allowed to buy a VW like

Question 56. If you car has a flat tyre what do you do?

A. Ask a stranger on the street what to do?
B. Buy a new car?
C. Drive home on the flat?
D. Consult the owners manual in the glovebox and read the section on "You have a flat tyre, here's what to do"

[Jeffie]

Yes when people have a question they should read the manual, but people usually have things called lives, so sitting down and reading the manual in full when they buy a car isnt something that most people have time to do (unlike yourself).