Feeling kinda dense: front wheel removal
 

Pulled all five lug studs from the left front wheel to check the brake pads and as step one in a tire rotation.

Wheel doesn't want to come off. I'm guessing it's a question of breaking whatever loving bond the wheel and hub have developed, but want to make sure I'm not missing anything stupid.....

Gretel is a 91 300TE 4Matic. Any pointers (before I start waling away with the big rubber mallet) greatly appreciated.

5 lugs off, wheel should come off...probably bonded by rust.

You've removed what you need. I don't think the rubber mallet will do enough to break that "marriage"...you might need a sledge.

Put a block of wood between it and the wheel to prevent damaging the wheel.

You're going to need some sort of huge hydraulic press, maybe a couple thousand dollars, plus installation. Or you could just sit on the floor and stomp on it, alternating left and right feet, and increasing speed and force as necessary. Shopping for the hydraulic press would be more fun.

Try this
 

Let it off the jack, and in your driveway just drive it back and forth a couple of times with out the lug nuts on. I suspect it will loosen up.

Well, apparently thumping it half a dozen times right/left, then leaving it sit in the sun for a period of precisely 1.75 bottles of Smithwick's was the right answer.

Went back out and gave a tug, and off she fell.

The left rear, on the other hand.......

Sheared my 3/4" to 1/2" drive adapter (my deep 3/4" sockets are out on loan at the moment) on the first stud. Pulled out the two piece MB lug wrench, and proceeded to do the stand on the lug wrench dance for all 15 of the remaining studs.

All done now. Tires rotated, pads checked (dang near new), and as much of the dried and crusty love juice between the rotor and the wheel removed as reasonably possible.

Mental note made to plan for replacing the rotors when the pads need doing. And to plan for enough time to do some serious clean up on the calipers.

That happend on my SD, the wheels were probably on for oh 5 years.:D

I got out the old rubber hammer and gave thema good whack, did the trick. Never Seize was applied to the hub surface when I put them back on, worked.