GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J-39544-18A Torque Limiting Bar

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.

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

  2. Object Number: 2004683  Size: SH
  3. Remove the wheel centre cap (1) (alloy wheels).
  4. Remove the wheel nut caps (2), if equipped.
  5. Mark the wheel in relation to the wheel hub flange.
  6. Remove the wheel nuts (3).
  7. 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.

  8. Remove the tire and wheel assembly (4).
  9. If the tire and wheel assembly is difficult to remove, perform the following steps:

    6.1. Install and tighten all wheel nuts on the affected wheel.
    6.2. Loosen each wheel nut 2 turns.
    6.3. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
    6.4. Rock the vehicle from side to side.
    6.5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
    6.6. Remove the wheel nuts.
    6.7. 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. Remove any corrosion or foreign material from the wheel and the hub mounting surfaces.
  2. Important: Do not apply any lubricant to the wheel stud or wheel nut threads.

  3. Clean the threads on the wheel studs and wheel nuts.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 2004684  Size: SH

    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.

    Important: Tighten the nuts evenly and alternately in the sequence shown.

    Important: An pneumatic/electric impact tool can only be used to tighten wheels nuts if used in conjunction with the correct specification torque limiting bar. Use special tool J-39544-18A.

  5. Install the tire and wheel assembly (4).
  6. Install the wheel nuts (3).

    Tighten
    Tighten the wheel nuts in sequence to 170 N·m (125 lb ft)

  7. Install the wheel nut caps (2), if equipped.
  8. Install the wheel centre cap (1) (alloy wheels).
  9. Lower the vehicle to the ground.