Wheels and Tires: Service and Repair

Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation

Special Tools

* J 41013 - Rotor Resurfacing Kit

* J 42450-A - Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.





Caution:
Disc brake rotor protectors MUST be installed prior to tire and wheel assembly removal to avoid ceramic brake rotor damage due to contact between the tire and wheel assembly and the rotor. If the ceramic brake rotor is damaged replacement may be required.

Note: Steps 2 and 3 are for those the vehicles with RPO code J57 and to be used on the front and rear brake rotors.

2. Install the disc brake rotor protector (1) on the rotors.




3. Position the disc brake rotor protector (1) so that it covers the brake rotor (2).

4. Remove the wheel center cap, if equipped.

5. Remove the wheel center cap nuts, if equipped.

6. Remove the wheel nuts.

7. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

Caution:
Never use heat to loosen a tight wheel bolt or nut. This can shorten the life of wheel and damage wheel bearings.

8. If the tire and wheel assembly is difficult to remove or cannot be removed, perform the following steps:

1. Apply a small amount of penetrating oil to the wheel nuts, and the center hub. Allow a few moments for the penetrating oil to work.

2. Loosen each wheel nut 2 complete turns.

3. Lower the vehicle.

4. Rock the vehicle from side to side.

5. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

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

1. Start the engine.

2. Allow the vehicle to move forward, and quickly apply the brakes. Repeat this procedure in reverse.

3. Repeat this procedure if necessary.

10. With the tire and wheel assembly loose, raise and support the vehicle.

Caution:
Before installing wheels, remove any build-up of corrosion on the wheel mounting surface by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels without good metal-to-metal contact at the mounting surfaces can cause wheel bolts or nuts to loosen, which can later allow a wheel bolt or nut to come off while the vehicle is moving. Wheel bolts or nuts must be tightened in sequence and to proper torque to avoid bending the wheel, brake drum or rotor.

Note:

* Wear approved safety glasses when performing the following service procedures.

* DO NOT use power grinders to clean any of the brake rotor or brake drum to wheel contact areas.

11. Using a wire brush or wire wheel, clean the rotor to the wheel or brake drum to wheel hub contact area.

12. Where possible, use the J 41013 - rotor resurfacing kit to clean the contact areas of the wheel to brake rotor or brake drum.




13. Using the J 42450-A - wheel hub resurfacing kit, clean the surface around the wheel studs.

14. Clean the threads of the wheel studs. If the threads are damaged, replace the wheel stud.

* For the front wheel stud replacement, refer to Wheel Stud Replacement Front Suspension.

* For the rear wheel stud replacement, refer to Wheel Stud Replacement Rear Suspension.

15. After cleaning all the contact areas, use brake clean or denatured alcohol to remove all the penetrating oil, dirt and debris from the wheel nuts, brake rotor or brake drum.

16. Inspect and clean the contact area of the wheel. Refer to Wheel Mounting Surface Check Component Tests and General Diagnostics.

Installation Procedure





Note: Only apply a small amount of lubricant to the pilot hole of the wheel and NOT the wheel bearing flange. DO NOT apply it to the entire pilot hole of the wheel.

1. Apply a small amount of the lubricant to the inner diameter of the wheel hub pilot hole (1) where it makes contacts with the wheel/hub flange. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers [1][2]Fluid Type Specifications.

2. Install the tire and wheel assembly.

3. Hand start the wheel nuts.





Caution:
Improperly tightened wheel bolts or nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage. In order to avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel bolts or nuts to the proper torque specification.

4. Tighten the wheel nuts in sequence to 140 Nm (100 lb ft).

5. Install the wheel center cap, if required.

6. Install the wheel cap nuts, if required.





Note: The step 7 is for those vehicles with RPO code J57.

7. Remove the disc brake rotor protector from the disc brake rotor (1).

8. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.