Tire and Wheel Runout Measurement On-Vehicle

If the tire and wheel related vibration diagnostic process has not been followed prior to this point, refer to Tire and Wheel Vibration before proceeding.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.



2. Wrap the outer circumference of each tire with tape in the center tread area.

Due to all-season or aggressive tread patterns, wrapping the tread with tape allows for a smooth and accurate reading of radial runout to be obtained.

3. Position the dial indicator on the taped portion of the tire tread such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the tire tread surface.
4. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
5. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
6. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of radial runout.

Specification
Maximum tire and wheel assembly radial runout (measured on-vehicle): 1.52 mm (0.060 in)




7. Position the dial indicator on a smooth portion of the tire sidewall, as close to the tread as possible, such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the tire sidewall surface.
8. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot; ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices.
9. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
10. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of lateral runout; ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices and attain an average amount of runout.

Specification
Maximum tire and wheel assembly lateral runout (measured on-vehicle): 1.52 mm (0.060 in)

11. Repeat steps 3 through 10 until all of the tire and wheel assembly radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken.
12. Lower the vehicle.

Tire and Wheel Runout Measurement Off-Vehicle

If the tire and wheel related vibration diagnostic process has not been followed prior to this point, refer to Tire and Wheel Vibration before proceeding.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Mark the location of the wheels to the wheel studs and mark the specific vehicle position on each tire and wheel (LF, LR, RF, RR).
3. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies one at a time and mount on a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

Locate the tire and wheel assembly on the balancer with a cone through the back side of the center pilot hole.




4. Wrap the outer circumference of each tire with tape in the center tread area.

Due to all-season or aggressive tread patterns, wrapping the tread with tape allows for a smooth and accurate reading of radial runout to be obtained.

5. Position the dial indicator on the taped portion of the tire tread such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the tire tread surface.
6. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
7. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
8. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of radial runout.

Specification
Maximum tire and wheel assembly radial runout (measured off-vehicle): 1.27 mm (0.050 in)




9. Position the dial indicator on a smooth portion of the tire sidewall, as close to the tread as possible, such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the tire sidewall surface.
10. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot; ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices.
11. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
12. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of lateral runout; ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices and attain an average amount of runout.

Specification
Maximum tire and wheel assembly lateral runout (measured off-vehicle): 1.27 mm (0.050 in)

13. Repeat steps 3 through 12 until all of the tire and wheel assembly radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken.
14. If any of the tire and wheel assembly runout measurements ARE NOT within specifications, proceed to step 15.



15. Position the dial indicator on the horizontal outer surface of the wheel rim flange (with the tire still mounted) such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the rim flange surface.

Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges (unless wheel design will not allow). Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

16. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
17. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
18. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of wheel radial runout.

Specification
Maximum aluminum wheel radial runout (measured off-vehicle, tire mounted): 0.76 mm (0.030 in)




19. Position the dial indicator on the vertical outer surface of the wheel rim flange (with the tire still mounted) such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the rim flange surface.

Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges (unless wheel design will not allow). Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

20. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
21. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
22. Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and check the total amount of wheel lateral runout.

Specification
Maximum aluminum wheel lateral runout (measured off-vehicle, tire mounted): 0.76 mm (0.030 in)

23. Repeat steps 15 through 22 until all of the wheel radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken on each tire and wheel assembly with assembly runout measurements which ARE NOT within specifications.
24. If any of the wheel runout measurements ARE NOT within specifications, proceed to Measuring Wheel Runout (Tire Dismounted), below.
25. If the wheel runout measurements ARE within specifications, replace the tire on the tire and wheel assembly (assemblies) with assembly runout measurements which ARE NOT within specifications. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting , or Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.
26. After replacement of any tires, always check the runout of the affected tire and wheel assembly (assemblies).
27. Using the matchmarks made prior to removal, install the tire and wheel assemblies to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
28. Lower the vehicle.

If tire and wheel assembly runout cannot be brought within tolerance, measure the wheel runout.

If any runout measurement of a wheel exceeds specifications, the wheel should be replaced. (ALWAYS measure the runout of a new wheel.)

If the runout of the wheel is within tolerance, and the tire and wheel assembly runout cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, the tire should be replaced. (ALWAYS measure the tire and wheel assembly runout after replacing the tire.)

1. On the tire and wheel assembly (assemblies) with wheel runout measurements (tire mounted) which ARE NOT within specification, mark each tire and wheel in relation to each other.
2. Dismount the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting , or Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.
3. Mount the wheel(s) on a spin-type wheel balancer one at a time.
4. Locate the wheel on the balancer with a cone through the back side of the center pilot hole.



5. Position the dial indicator on the horizontal inner surface of the wheel rim flange (with the tire dismounted) such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the rim flange surface.

Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

6. Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
7. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
8. Slowly rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and check the total amount of wheel radial runout.

Specification
Maximum aluminum wheel radial runout (measured off-vehicle, tire dismounted): 0.76 mm (0.030 in)




9. Position the dial indicator on the vertical inner surface of the wheel rim flange (with the tire dismounted) such that the dial indicator is perpendicular to the rim flange surface.

Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

10. Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution in order to find the low spot.
11. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low spot.
12. Slowly rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and check the total amount of wheel lateral runout.

Specification
Maximum aluminum wheel lateral runout (measured off-vehicle, tire dismounted): 0.76 mm (0.030 in)

13. Repeat steps 2 through 12 until all of the wheel radial and lateral runout measurements (tire dismounted) have been taken on each wheel with runout measurements (tire mounted) which ARE NOT within specifications.
14. If any of the wheel runout measurements (tire dismounted) ARE NOT within specifications, replace the wheel.

Always check the runout of any replacement wheels.

15. Using the matchmarks made prior to dismounting the tire(s), mount the tire(s) to the wheel(s). Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting , or Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.

Always check the runout of any tire and wheel assemblies which have had the tires dismounted and mounted.

16. Using the matchmarks made prior to removal, install the tire and wheel assemblies to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
17. Lower the vehicle.