Wheel "helper" piece stuck
 

I swear I am getting incompetent in my old age or maybe I should say more incompetent. I'm in the middle of doing a B service on my E300D which I have done probably fifteen times before with no issues. I can't believe the problems I'm having this time. I can't start the car after changing the fuel filters. I had lots of problems resetting the maintenance due indicator. My pressure bleeder for bleeding the brakes isn't working and now this one.

I was removing all the tires to check tread depth, brake pads and rotors. All went well until I hit the last tire. I generally hate to bother with that helper pin that screws in to help guide the tire into place. But in this last tire I just couldn't get the tire lined up right, so I used it and the darn thing will not now unscrew. I only screwed it in hand tight, but not even pliers will get it to come out. What are some simple options I've got?

Thanks.

Pipe wrench or vise grips?

+1 And a spritz of penetrating oil.

Thanks for the quick replies guys. No go with pliers, vise grips and penetrant. The pliers and vise grips are just scraping away at the piece as you might be able to see from the photo. I'll keep trying, but I'm almost thinking that I've got to straighten opposite sides so I can get a wrench on it, but I sure hate to go that far.

I copied the pic to my computer and blew it up to get a better look. My fist impression of it is that it is made of aluminum. But, if not soft steel. The good news is if needed either can at least be drilled if is snapped off.

Not sure from looking at the picture but I think the Rotor can come off with the piece still there. If you could get the Rotor off you could heat what ever hub is it is screwed into.

Pipe wrenches come in all kinds of lengths. At some point one of them is going to be long enough to have enough leverage to turn and or shear it off. One longer then 12 inches. Harbor Freight sells them with both Iron and Aluminum handles on them.

Another option could be to file a flat area on each side and use a large Cresent/adjustable wrench.

you wedged it from not inserting the tool deep enough, it's not sitting in the bore properly and is visually sitting crooked.

as it is pictured now, tap the piece with a hammer lightly to the RIGHT while using some vice grips to loosen. there is NO other reason for it to be stuck the way it is unless you've crossthreaded it on insertion.

just putting this out there because not everybody knows this but if your vise grips aren't holding the part they aren't tight enough.

the secret is to get them as tight as you can and clamp them on.....then take another set of vise grips on the turning knob (or some have a Allen key slot in the knob), and turn it so it get as tight as you can.....
i've actually broken a set because i went too far but that is how to get them so they don't turn on the part.

Put the wheel and the rest of the lug bolts in and tighten lightly. That positions the wheel to allow the stud to easily unscrew. I use those things all the time and never have had such a problem.

Don't try to remove it until all other wheel bolts are snugged.

Wheel "helper" piece stuck
 

Vice grips. Tap on the end of the rod with a hammer dead on while trying to turn it.

Alignment Tool Stuck
 

Wow what a nightmare .

Vise gripes are going to be the solution, no wrench, adjustable or other is going to have sufficient grip .

Yes, this tool is alloy and may snap off .

If so use a reverse twist drill to remove it .

Having a bad day? Be sure your turning the correct way to remove,COUNTER clockwise.

GOT IT!!! Thanks guys for all the tips and commiseration. Might be time for me to start writing checks to have someone else maintain my car. :(

What finally worked was a crescent wrench and a breaker bar. Thank goodness the threads on this piece were softer than the threads in the housing. It's not magnetic, so I'm guessing it's aluminum. The threads on the housing were a little damaged, but fortunately I had the proper tap to clean them up - 12mm x 1.50 if anyone cares. Wheel is back on. All five lug bolts seemed to go in and torque down just fine.

I think what happened is that when I first put the wheel on, it kind of hung with all its weight on that thing and started misaligning the threads.

I certainly won't be using that "helper" again and I'm pretty sure I won't be looking hard for a replacement. :)

I made one out of a long 12mm bolt. Just grind off the head and good to go.

I'm just going to say it:
Mxfrank, you are a real gift to this forum! Your empirically-based knowledge, sense of practicality, and conciseness is a pleasure to witness and benefit from. Thank you.

Guide Pins
 

Bolts with the heads lopped off also make wonderful tranny alignment pins when you're doing clutch work .