Improved wheel removal tools may include a frame, one or more removal members movably coupled to the frame and one or more connection members coupled to a respective removal member. In operation, the frame may be attached to the wheel, such as at one or more wheel studs or bolts, and the connection members may be attached to the wheel, such as by engaging apertures in the wheel. The base may be configured to leverage the wheel studsrather than the axle hubduring the wheel removal process. Once engaged with the wheel, the removal members may be moved away from the wheel by an operator so that the connection members pull the wheel to dislodge the seized wheel from the vehicle.

A method for removing a dual wheel from a primary wheel of a dual wheel assembly. The dual wheel is secured to the primary wheel while forming a gap between a periphery of the dual wheel and a periphery of the primary wheel. The dual wheel and the primary wheel each may have a tire mounted thereon, with the dual wheel assembly being carried on an axle. The method comprising inserting an uninflated, high pressure airbag at least partially into the gap between the dual wheel and said primary wheel; inflating the high pressure airbag to expand the gap between the dual wheel and the primary wheel so as to separate the dual wheel and the primary wheel; and finally, removing the dual wheel from the primary wheel. Likewise, a similar method can be used to remove a wheel from an axel, the wheel being carried on and secured to the axel while forming a gap between a periphery of the wheel and a periphery of the axel.

An apparatus and method for aligning a rim of a wheel assembly to a wheel hub. The apparatus can include a wheel handler device that is structured to securely engage the wheel assembly. The apparatus can include one or more light emitting devices that project one or more light spots on the face of the wheel hub. The position of one or more light spots relative to another light spot(s) and/or to a reference feature on the face of the hub can provide an indication of the location, orientation, and/or alignment of at least the rim relative to the wheel hub.