GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Removal Procedure

  1. If equipped with wheel nut caps retaining a wheel cover, remove the wheel nut caps.
  2. If equipped with a wheel cover, remove the wheel cover.

  3. Object Number: 1242010  Size: SH
  4. Loosen the wheel nuts (1, 2, 3, 4).
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  6. Remove the wheel nuts.
  7. 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 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.

    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 is not effective in removing tight wheels. If it is used, however, apply it sparingly and only to the wheel centerhole area.

  8. Remove the wheel. If the wheel is difficult to remove, complete the following steps:
  9.         Note: Difficulty in removing the wheels from the vehicle can be due to foreign material or to a tight fit between the wheel centerhole and the hub or the rotor.

    6.1. Retighten the wheel nuts on the affected wheel and then loosen the wheel nuts by 2 turns.
    6.2. Lower the vehicle and rock it from side to side as hard as possible, using one or more person's body weight to loosen the wheel.
    6.3. Raise the vehicle.
    6.4. Remove the wheel nuts.
    6.5. Remove the wheel.

Installation Procedure

    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.

  1. Clean the mounting surface on the wheel.
  2. Clean the mounting surface on the hub.
  3. Install the wheel to the hub.

  4. Object Number: 1242010  Size: SH
  5. Install the wheel nuts (1, 2, 3, 4) and hand tighten the wheel nuts.
  6. Lower the vehicle.
  7. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  8. Tighten the wheel nuts in the sequence shown and tighten to 120 N·m (88 lb ft).
  9. If equipped with a wheel cover, install the wheel cover.
  10. If the wheel cover is equipped with wheel nut caps, install the wheel nut caps and tighten to 6 N·m (53 lb in).