Wheel Removal and Installation: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Suzuki Reno and 2005 Suzuki Forenza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Loosen the wheel nuts.
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
- Remove the wheel nuts.CAUTION: Never use heat to loosen a tight wheel. It can shorten the life of the wheel, the wheel nuts and the wheel bearings. Excessive force, such as hammering the wheel or tire, can also cause damage and is not recommended. Slight tapping of the wheel sidewall with one's hand or with a rubber mallet is acceptable.
- Remove the wheel.
Difficulty in removing the wheels from the vehicle can be due to foreign material or to a tight fit between the wheel center hole and the hub or the rotor. These wheels can be removed by
- Retightening the wheel nuts on the affected wheel and then loosening the wheel nuts by two turns.
- Lowering the vehicle and rocking it from side to side as hard as possible, using one or more person's body weight to loosen the wheel.
- Raising the vehicle and removing the wheel.WARNING: Do not allow the penetrating oil to get on the vertical surfaces between the wheel and the drum (or rotor) because penetrating oil in this area could cause the wheel to work loose as the vehicle is driven, resulting in loss of control and an injury accident.
Penetrating oil is not effective in removing tight wheels. If it is used, however, apply it sparingly and only to the wheel's center hole area.