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.

Perform the following steps to remove a tight wheel:





1. Retighten all the wheel bolts on the affected wheel.
2. Loosen each wheel bolt two turns.
3. Apply quick, hard jabs on the brake pedal 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 one or more persons.
4. Repeat this procedure if the wheel is still tight.

Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Use a non marring tool to carefully remove the wheel cover.
3. Remove the wheel bolts. Mark the location of the tire and wheel to the hub assembly.
4. Remove the tire and wheel.
5. Clean the wheel bolts, the wheel, and the rotor mounting surfaces.
6. Clean the rotor mounting surfaces.

Installation Procedure

^ Tools Required
- J39544-KIT Complete Torque Adapters
- Socket Set (10 pcs.)

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 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.

2. Install the wheel bolts.
^ Tighten the wheel bolts to 109 Nm (80 ft. lbs.) using J39544-12A
3. Use a rubber mallet to install the wheel cover.
4. Ensure the wheel cover is fully seated.
5. Lower the vehicle.