Special Tools

J 39544-KIT Complete Torque Socket Set

Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning in the Preface section.

Warning: 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.

Caution: 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.

Note: Penetrating oil effectively removes tight wheels. Apply the oil sparingly to the hub surface, if you use oil. Removing 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. Wheel removal should be performed in the following manner:

1. Tighten all wheel nuts on the affected wheel. Do not torque the wheel nuts.
2. Loosen each wheel nut 2 turns.
3. Apply quick, hard jabs to 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.

1. Raise and support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel hub cap, if equipped.
3. Remove the wheel nuts. Mark the location of the tire and wheel assembly to the hub assembly.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
5. Clean the wheel nuts, studs, and the wheel and rotor mounting surfaces.

Warning: 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.

Caution: 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.

1. Install the wheel and the tire assembly. Align the locating mark of the tire and wheel to the hub assembly.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




2. Install the wheel nuts hand tight.

Tighten the nuts evenly and alternately to avoid excessive runout. Tighten the wheel nuts to 140 N·m (103 lb ft) using J 39544-KIT .

3. Install the wheel hub cap, if equipped.
4. Lower the vehicle.