Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Aluminum Wheel Refinishing
- Finish Damage Evaluation Procedure
-
- If the wheels are chrome-plated, do not re-plate or refinish the wheels.
- If the wheels are polished aluminum, do not refinish the wheels in the dealer environment. Utilize a refinisher that meets manufacturer guidelines.
- Inspect the wheels for damage from uncoated wheel balance weights or from automatic car wash facilities.
- Inspect the wheels for the following conditions:
Note:
- Corrosion
- Scrapes
- Gouges
- Verify the damage is not deeper than what sanding can remove.
- Inspect the wheels for cracks. If a wheel has cracks, discard the wheel.
- Inspect the wheels for bent rim flanges. If a rim flange is bent, discard the wheel.
- Refinishing Procedure
-
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
- Remove the balance weights from the wheel.
- Remove the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
- Use a suitable cleaner in order to remove the following contaminants from the wheel:
Warning:
To avoid serious personal injury when applying any two part component paint system, follow the specific precautions provided by the paint manufacturer. Failure to follow these precautions may cause lung irritation and allergic respiratory reaction.
- Lubricants
- Wax
- Dirt
Note:
- Do not re-machine the wheel.
- Do not use chemicals in order to strip the paint from the wheel.
- Use plastic media blasting in order to remove the paint from the wheel.
- If the wheel had a machined aluminum finish, spin the wheel and use sand paper in order to restore the circular machined appearance.
Note:
The wheel mounting surface and the wheel nut contact surface must remain free of paint.
- Mask the wheel mounting surface and the wheel nut contact surface.
- Follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for painting the wheel.
- Unmask the wheel.
- Install a new valve stem.
Note:
Use new coated balance weights in order to balance the wheel.
- Install the tire to the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
- Use a suitable cleaner in order to remove the following contaminants from the wheel mounting surface:
- Corrosion
- Overspray
- Dirt
- Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
All Seasons Tires Description
Most GM vehicles are equipped with steel belted all-season radial tires as standard
equipment. These tires qualify as snow tires, with a higher than average rating
for snow traction than the n ...
General Description
The factory installed tires are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads
up to and including the full rated load capacity when these tires are inflated to
the recommended pressures.
The fol ...
Other materials:
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle,
such as a motor home. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are
known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towin ...
Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Inspection
Special Tools
GE-8001 Dial Indicator Set
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.
Note: This inspection procedure does not supersede local government
required inspections that have more stringent requirements.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position with the eng ...
Fluid Cooler Inlet Hose Replacement
Removal Procedure
Remove the battery tray. Refer to
Battery Tray Replacement
Remove the front bumper fascia opening lower cover.
Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Opening Lower Cover
Replacement
Remove the front wheelhouse liner inner front extension.
Refer to Front Wh ...
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