Installation Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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.

Remove any corrosion or foreign material from the wheel and the hub mounting surfaces.
Clean the threads on the wheel studs and wheel nuts.
Align the reference mark and install the tire and wheel assembly to the hub.

Fig 1: View Of Tire/Wheel Assembly, Hub Assembly & Wheel Nuts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the wheel nuts.
NOTE: 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.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

IMPORTANT: Tighten the nuts evenly and alternately in order to avoid excessive runout of the tire and wheel assembly.
Using the J 39544-KIT , tighten the wheel nuts in the sequence shown.
Tighten: Tighten the nuts in sequence to 140 N.m (100 lb ft).

Fig 2: Identifying Wheel Nut Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the wheel nut caps, if equipped.
Install the wheel center cap, if equipped.
Lower the vehicle.