Wheels and Tires: Service and Repair

Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation

Tools Required

J 39544-KIT Complete Torque Socket Set - 10 Pieces


Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service Intervals).




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

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: Removing the wheel may be difficult because of foreign materials or a tight fit between the wheel and the hub/rotor. Slightly tap the tire side wall with a rubber mallet in order to remove the wheel. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the wheel.

5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. If the tire and wheel assembly is difficult to remove, perform the following steps:

1. Install and tighten all wheel nuts on the affected wheel.
2. Loosen each wheel nut two turns.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Rock the vehicle from side to side.
5. Repeat this procedure if necessary.

6. If the tire and wheel assembly still does not loosen, perform the following steps:

1. Start the engine.
2. Drive the vehicle forward and rearward slightly while applying quick, hard jabs of the brakes prior to changing direction.
3. Repeat this procedure if necessary.




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.


Important: Wheel nuts, studs, and mounting surfaces must be clean and dry.


1. Remove any corrosion or foreign material from the wheel and the hub mounting surfaces.
2. Clean the threads on the wheel studs and wheel nuts.
3. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Align the locating mark of the wheel to the hub.




4. Install the wheel nuts.

Notice: A torque wrench or J 39544 must be used to ensure that wheel nuts are tightened to specification. Never use lubricants or penetrating fluids on wheel stud, nuts, or mounting surfaces, as this can raise the actual torque on the nut without a corresponding torque reading on the torque wrench. Wheel nuts, studs, and mounting surfaces must be clean and dry. Failure to follow these instructions could result in wheel, nut, and/or stud damage.


Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.


Important: Tighten the nuts evenly and alternately in the sequence shown, in order to avoid excessive runout.


5. Using the J 39544-KIT, tighten the wheel nuts in the sequence shown.

Tighten the nuts in sequence to 140 N.m (100 lb ft).

6. Install the wheel center cap.
7. Lower the vehicle.