Wheels and Tires: Service and Repair

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 loss of control and an injury accident.

Notice: Never use heat to loosen a tight wheel. It can shorten the life of the wheel, studs, or hub and bearing assemblies. Wheel nuts must be tightened in sequence and to the specified torque to avoid bending the wheel or rotor.

Apply penetrating oil to the hub surface, if you use oil.
Removing the wheels can be difficult, because of foreign material, because of a tight fit between the wheel center hole and the hub, or because of the rotor. Excessive force, such as hammering on the wheel or on the tire, may damage the wheel or the tire. Slightly tapping the tire side wall with a rubber mallet is acceptable. If the wheel is still difficult to remove, use the following procedure:
1. Loosen each wheel nut by 2 turns.
2. Push the brake pedal quickly and hard in order to loosen the wheel. If this does not loosen the wheel, rock the vehicle from side to side, using the body weight of 1 or more persons.
3. Repeat this procedure if the wheel is still tight.

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. If the vehicle has a wheel cover, remove the wheel cover.
3. Remove the wheel nuts (1, 2, 3, 4). Mark the location of the tire and wheel assembly to the hub assembly.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
5. Clean the wheel nuts, the bolts, and the surfaces between the wheel and the rotor.

Installation Procedure

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Caution: Before installing the wheels, remove any buildup of corrosion on the wheel mounting surface and brake drum or disc mounting surface by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels with poor metal-to-metal contact at the mounting surfaces can cause wheel nuts to loosen. This can cause a wheel to come off when the vehicle is moving, causing loss of control and possibly personal injury.





1. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Align the mark of the tire and wheel to the hub assembly.
2. Install the wheel nuts (1, 2, 3, 4). Tighten the wheel nuts in the correct sequence.
^ Tighten the wheel nuts to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).
3. If the vehicle has a wheel cover, install the wheel cover.
4. Lower the vehicle.