Wheels and Tires: Service and Repair

Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation

Tools Required

J 39544-KIT Complete Torque Socket Set

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.




2. Remove the wheel cover, the wheel hub cap or the wheel nut caps as necessary.




3. Remove the wheel nuts.
4. Mark the relationship of the wheel to the hub.

Caution: If penetrating oil gets on the vertical surfaces between the wheel and the rotor or drum, it could cause the wheel to work loose as the vehicle is driven, resulting in a loss of control and an injury accident.

Notice: NEVER use heat to loosen a tight wheel. It can shorten the life of the wheel, wheel nuts and wheel bearings. Excessive force, such as hammering the wheel or tire, can also cause damage and is not recommended. Slight tapping of the tire side wall, such as with one's hand or a rubber mallet, is normally acceptable.

Important: Do not apply penetrating oil to the wheel or wheel studs.

5. Remove the tire and wheel. If the tire and wheel cannot be removed, perform the following steps:

1. Install the wheel nuts.
2. Loosen each wheel nut 2 full revolutions.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Rock the vehicle from side to side firmly.
5. Start the engine.
6. Apply the regular brake.
7. Place the transmission into Drive.
8. Allow the vehicle to roll forward slightly.
9. Apply the regular brake firmly and quickly.
10. Place the transmission into Reverse.
11. Allow the vehicle to roll backward slightly.
12. Apply the regular brake firmly and quickly.
13. Repeat steps 5.4- 5.12 until the wheel can be removed from the vehicle.

6. Clean the following components in order to remove any corrosion or foreign material accumulation:

* The wheel mounting surface
* The brake rotor/brake drum mounting surface

Installation Procedure

1. Align the marks on the wheel and the hub as indicated in the Removal Procedure.





Caution: Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts with your fingers until they are snug. Then, tighten the nuts (in the sequence shown) to the fastener tightening specification shown in Specifications in this Section. Improperly tightened wheel nuts could eventually allow the wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, possibly causing loss of control, personal injury, and property damage.

2. Install the tire and wheel.





Notice: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage. In order to avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel nuts to the proper torque specification.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.

3. Install the wheel nuts.

Use J 39544-15A or a torque wrench in order to tighten the nuts to 140 N.m (100 lb ft) in the proper sequence.




4. Install the wheel cover, the wheel hub cap or the wheel nut caps as necessary.

Tighten the wheel nut caps to 3 N.m (27 lb in).

5. Lower the vehicle.