2003 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

1. Remove the center cap by placing the chisel end of
the wheel wrench in the slot on the wheel and
gently prying the cap out.2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen
the wheel nuts. Don’t remove the wheel nuts yet.
5-69
2003 - Sierra Denali

A:Front Location
B:Rear Location
Notice:If your vehicle is equipped with
QUADRASTEER™avoid contact with tie rods and
tie rod boots when jacking the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure tofit the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.
3. Position the jack under the vehicle. If theflat tire is
on the front of the vehicle, position the jack on the
frame behind theflat tire.
If theflat tire is on the rear, position the jack under
the rear axle between the spring anchor and the
shock absorber bracket. Jack Positions (overall view)
5-70
2003 - Sierra Denali

4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire. Front Position
Rear Position
5-71
2003 - Sierra Denali

5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you do, the nuts might come loose.
Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious
accident.
6. After mounting the
spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with the
rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel.
Tighten each wheel nut
by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten
the nuts until the wheel
is held against the hub.
7. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack completely.
5-72
2003 - Sierra Denali

Front PositionRear Position
5-73
2003 - Sierra Denali

8. Tighten the nutsfirmly
in a crisscross
sequence as shown by
turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose
and even come off. This could lead to an
accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel
nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to
get new GM original equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque specification. See“Capacities
and Specifications”in the Index for wheel nut
torque specification.Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification. See“Capacities and
Specifications”in the index for the wheel nut torque
specification.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you must
also reinstall the center cap. Place the cap on the
wheel and tap it into place until it seatsflush with the
wheel. The cap only goes on one way. Be sure to line up
the tab on the center cap with the indentation on the
wheel.
5-74
2003 - Sierra Denali

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack
and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store
all these in the proper place.
Notice:An aluminum wheel with aflat tire should
always be stored under the vehicle with the
hoist. However, storing it that way for an extended
period of time could damage the wheel. To avoid
this, always stow the wheel properly with the valve
stem pointing down and have the wheel repaired
as soon as possible.
Return the bottle jack, wheel blocks, wheel wrench and
jack extensions to their location under the passenger’s
side second row seat. Secure the items in the vehicle as
shown.A. Wing Nut
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wheel Wrench and Extensions Retainer
D. Gloves
E. Wheel Wrench and Extensions
F. Storage Bag
G. Bottle Jack Holder
H. Bottle Jack
I. Wheel Block Retainer
5-75
2003 - Sierra Denali

Store the tire under the rear of the vehicle in the spare tire
carrier. Use the art and text following to help you:
A. Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire RetainerE. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Hoist Lock (If Equipped)
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
with the valve stem pointed down and to the rear.
2. Tilt the retainer (D)
downward and through
the wheel opening.
Make sure the retainer
is fully seated across
the underside of
the wheel.
5-76
2003 - Sierra Denali