2008 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

6. Tilt the tire toward the vehicle with some slack in
the cable to access the tire/wheel retainer.
Separate the retainer from the guide pin by sliding
the retainer up the pin while pressing down on
the latch.Once the retainer is separated from the guide pin,
tilt the retainer and pull it through the center of
the wheel along with the cable and guide latch.
7. Put the spare tire near the at tire.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Use the following pictures and instructions to remove
the at tire and raise the vehicle.
The tools you will be using include the jack (A), the
wheel blocks (B), the jack handle (C), the jack handle
extensions (D), and the wheel wrench (E).
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-92for more information.2. If your vehicle has
wheel nut caps, loosen
them by turning the
wheel wrench
counterclockwise.
If the vehicle has a center cap with wheel nut caps,
the wheel nut caps are designed to stay with the
center cap after they are loosened. Remove the
entire center cap.
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If the wheel has a smooth center cap, place the
chisel end of the wheel wrench in the slot on the
wheel, and gently pry it out.3. Use the wheel wrench and turn it counterclockwise
to loosen the wheel nuts. Do not remove the wheel
nuts yet.
5-99

4. Position the jack under the vehicle as shown. If the
at tire is on the front of the vehicle (1500 Model
vehicles), position the jack under the bracket
attached to the vehicle’s frame, behind the at tire.
If the at tire is on the front of the vehicle (all other
models), position the jack on the frame behind
the at tire.Front Position - 1500 Models
Front Position - All Other Models
5-100

If the at tire is on the rear, position the jack under
the rear axle between the spring anchor and the
shock absorber bracket.
If you have added a snow plow to the front of your
vehicle, lower the snow plow fully before raising
the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack head is positioned so that
the rear axle is resting securely between the
grooves that are on the jack head.
{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 to t the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the
vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare tire to t
under the wheel well. Rear Position – All Models
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6. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
at tire.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
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 needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-92.
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7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces, and
spare wheel.
8. Install the spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.
9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the wheel.
10. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten the nuts until the wheel
is held against the hub.
11. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack completely.
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{CAUTION:
Incorrect or improperly tightened wheel nuts
can cause the wheel to come loose and even
come off. This could lead to a crash. If you
have to replace them, be sure to get new
original equipment wheel nuts. Stop
somewhere as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque specication. SeeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-130for wheel nut
torque specication.
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 specication. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-130for the wheel nut
torque specication.12. Tighten the nuts rmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown by turning the wheel wrench clockwise.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you must
also reinstall either the center cap, or bolt-on hub cap,
depending on what your vehicle is equipped with. For
center caps, place the cap on the wheel and tap it into
place until it seats ush 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. For bolt-on hub
caps, align the plastic nut caps with the wheel nuts and
then tighten by hand. Then use the wheel wrench
to tighten.
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