Tools Required

J 39544-KIT Complete Torque Socket Set

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the wheel cover, the wheel hub cap or the wheel nut caps as necessary. Refer to the following procedures:

•	Wheel Trim Cover Replacement (Steel wheels)

•	Aluminum Wheel Hub Cap Replacement




3. For Pontiac vehicles with aluminum wheels, remove the wheel nut caps.



4. Remove the wheel nuts.
5. Mark the relationship of the wheel to the hub.

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: 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: Do not apply penetrating oil to the wheel or wheel studs.

6. Remove the tire and wheel. If the tire and wheel cannot be removed, perform the following steps:

6.1.	Install the wheel nuts.

6.2.	Then loosen each wheel nut two full revolutions.

6.3.	Lower the vehicle.

6.4.	Rock the vehicle from side to side firmly.

6.5.	Start the engine.

6.6.	Apply the regular brake.

6.7.	Place the transmission into Drive.

6.8.	Allow the vehicle to roll forward slightly.

6.9.	Apply the regular brake firmly and quickly.

6.10.

Place the transmission into Reverse.

6.11.

Allow the vehicle to roll backward slightly.

6.12.

Apply the regular brake firmly and quickly.

6.13.

Repeat Steps 5.4 through 5.12 until the wheel can be removed from the vehicle.

7. Clean the following components in order to remove any corrosion or foreign material accumulation:

•	The wheel mounting surface

•	The brake rotor/brake drum mounting surface

1. Align the marks on the wheel and the hub as indicated in the Removal Procedure.




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.

2. Install the tire and wheel.




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: 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. Install the wheel nuts.

Tighten
Use the J 39544-15A or a torque wrench in order to tighten the nuts to 140 N·m (100 lb ft) in the proper sequence.

4. Install the wheel cover, the wheel hub cap or the wheel nut caps as necessary:

•	Wheel Trim Cover Replacement (Steel Wheels)

•	Aluminum Wheel Hub Cap Replacement




5. For Pontiac vehicles with aluminum wheels, install the wheel nut caps.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel nut caps to 3 N·m (27 lb in).

6. Lower the vehicle.