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 can 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 to safely remove the wheel:
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.
• | Clean the wheel nuts. |
• | Clean the studs. |
• | Clean the wheel. |
• | Clean the rotor/drum mounting surfaces. |