Wheels may be difficult to remove due to corrosion or a tight fit between the wheel center pilot hole and the hub or rotor. Remove the wheels safely using the following procedure:

1. Tighten all the wheel nuts on the wheel, then loosen each nut two turns.
2. Lower the vehicle onto the floor.
3. Rock the vehicle from side to side as hard as possible in order to loosen the wheel. Alternatively, rock the transmission shift from Drive (D) to Reverse (R). Allow the vehicle to move several feet in each direction. Apply quick, hard jabs on the brake pedal in order to loosen the wheel.
4. Stop the engine. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

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 a loss of control and an injury accident. 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 proper torque to avoid bending the wheel or brake rotor or drum.

5. Remove the wheel nuts and the wheel. Do not let aluminum wheels stand vertical at any time. Lay the unfinished back surface of the wheel on a soft clean surface. Penetrating oil is not effective in removing tight wheels.

Do not use excessive force, such as hammering, when removing the wheel or tire. Instead, tap the tire sidewall lightly with your hand or a rubber mallet.

Tools Required

J 39544-KIT Wheel Nut Torque Limiter

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.

In order to avoid bending the wheel, brake drum or rotor, tighten the wheel nuts in sequence and to the proper torque. Over-torquing the wheel nuts on steel wheels may damage the wheel mounting holes and lead to cracks. DO NOT use lubricants or penetrating fluids on wheel studs, nuts, or mounting surfaces. Lubricants may raise the actual torque on the nut. Tighten the wheel nuts using the J 39544-KIT . Do not use the J 39544-KIT in order to remove the wheel nuts.