Wheel & Tire: Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Position the wheel and tire assembly on the vehicle.
- Install the lug nuts loosely. Make sure the cone ends of the lug nut face inward.
- Turn the wheel until one lug nut is at the top of the wheel hub bolt circle. Tighten the lug nut until snug. In a star-type pattern, tighten the remaining lug nuts until snug to minimize runout.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Tighten the lug nuts to specification.
- Advise the customer that the wheels need to be retightened at 800 km (500 miles) after any wheel (1007) change or any other time the lug nuts have been loosened. This is required to permit the wheel clamping system to seat correctly so that the lug nuts will hold a uniform clamp load and remain fully tightened.
- Install the wheel cover, if so equipped.
WARNING:
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the brake disc and hub (1102) that contacts the wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal -to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the lug nuts to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of control.
CAUTION:
Failure to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern can result in high brake disc runout, which will speed up the development of brake roughness, shudder and vibration.