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. Penetrating oil is not effective in removing tight wheels. However, if used, apply the penetrating oil sparingly to the hub surface only. Excessive force, such as hammering the wheel or the tire, may cause damage. Lightly tap the tire's sidewall with a rubber mallet. Sometimes wheels may be difficult to remove from the vehicle due to foreign material or a tight fit between the wheel center hole and the hub or rotor. Use the following procedure in order to safely remove the wheel:

Removal Procedure
1. Tighten all of the wheel nuts on the affected wheel.
2. Loosen each wheel nut 2 turns.
3. Lower the vehicle onto the floor.
4. Rock the vehicle from side to side as hard as possible using one or more person's body weight to loosen the wheel.
5. Rock the vehicle from Drive gear to Reverse gear allowing the car to move several feet in each direction. Apply quick, hard jabs on the brake pedal in order to loosen the wheel.
6. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
7. Remove the hubcap.
8. Remove the wheel nuts.
9. Mark the location of the tire and wheel to the hub.
10. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

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.

11. Clean the following components:
^ The wheel nuts
^ The studs
^ The wheel
^ The rotor mounting surfaces

Installation Procedure
1. Install the hub cap on the aluminum wheel, if removed.
2. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Align the locating mark of the tire and wheel to the hub assembly.

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. 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.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the wheel nuts.
Tighten the wheel nuts in sequence to 140 Nm (1100 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the wheel cover, if equipped.
5. Lower the vehicle.