Wheels and Tires: Service and Repair

Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation

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.

Important: Removing the wheels can be difficult, because of foreign material or a tight fit between the wheel center hole and the hub or the rotor. Excessive force, such as hammering on the wheel or the tire, can cause damage. 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 2 turns.
2. Rock the vehicle from side to side in order to loosen the wheel.
3. Apply quick, hard jabs to the brake pedal in order to loosen the wheel.
4. Repeat this procedure if the wheel is difficult to remove.

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Mark the location of the tire and wheel assembly to the hub assembly.
3. Remove the wheel nuts (1).
4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

Installation Procedure





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. Clean the wheel nuts, the studs, the hub, and the wheel mounting surfaces.
2. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Align the locating mark of the tire and wheel to the hub assembly.

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 in Service Precautions.

3. Install the wheel nuts (1 - 5).

^ Tighten the wheel nuts (1 - 5) in the order shown to 95 Nm (69 ft. lbs.).

4. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.