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.

Notice: 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.

Notice: NEVER use heat to loosen a tight wheel. It can shorten the life of the wheel, wheel nuts and wheel bearings. Excessive force, such as hammering the wheel or tire, can also cause damage and is not recommended. Slight tapping of the tire side wall, such as with one's hand or a rubber mallet, is normally acceptable.

Important: Penetrating oil has not been found to be effective in removing tight wheels. However, if used, you should apply the oil sparingly on the wheel centerhole area only.

Sometimes the wheels can be difficult to remove due to foreign material or a tight fit between the wheel centerhole and the rotor.

You can remove the wheel without damage through the following steps:

1. Retighten all the wheel nuts on the affected wheel. Then loosen each nut two turns. Rock the vehicle from side to side. If this is not effective, go to step 2.
2. Rock the vehicle from Drive and Reverse allowing the vehicle to move several feet in each direction. Apply quick, hard pressure on the brake pedal in order to loosen the wheel. If the wheel still does not loosen, then rock the vehicle again from side to side as hard as possible using one or more person's body weight. If the wheel is still tight, repeat the procedure.

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the wheel nut cap, if equipped.
3. Remove the hub cap or the wheel trim cover (4).
4. Remove the special security lock nut, if equipped. Use a special security wheel lock key located in the front floor console.
5. Remove the wheel nuts (3).
6. Mark the location of the tires and the wheels to the hub.
7. Remove the tire and the wheel (2).

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.

8. Clean the following components:

•	The wheel nuts (3)

•	The wheel hub bolts (1)

•	The wheel (2)

•	The brake drum or rotor mounting surfaces

Caution: Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts with your fingers until they are snug. Then, tighten the nuts (in the sequence shown) to the fastener tightening specification shown in Specifications in this Section. Improperly tightened wheel nuts could eventually allow the wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, possibly causing loss of control, personal injury, and property damage.

1. Install the tire and wheel (2).
2. Install the wheel nuts (3) and the security wheel lock nut, if equipped.




Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Tighten the wheel nuts to specifications.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel nuts in increments of 27 N·m (20 lb ft) in sequence up to 140 N·m (100 lb ft).

4. Tighten the special security wheel lock nut, if equipped. Use a special security wheel lock key located in the front floor console.
5. Install the hub cap or the wheel trim cover, if equipped.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel trim cover to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

6. Install the wheel nut cap, if equipped.
7. Lower the vehicle.