Caution: Failure to adhere to the following precautions before tire balancing can result in personal injury or damage to components:

Tire and wheel balancer can drift out of calibration over time, or can become inaccurate as a result of heavy use. There will likely not be any visual evidence that a calibration problem exists. If a balancer is not calibrated within specifications, and a tire and wheel assembly is balanced on that machine, the assembly may actually be imbalanced.

If the tire and wheel assembly balancer is used frequently, and/or whenever the balance readings are questionable, and then the calibration should be checked approximately every 2 weeks.

Important: If the balancer fails any of the steps in this calibration test, the balancer should be calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the balancer cannot be calibrated, contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Check the tire and wheel assembly balancer calibration according to the manufacturer's recommendations, or perform the following test.

1. Spin the balancer without a wheel or any of the adapters on the shaft.
2. Inspect the balancer readings.

Specification
Zero within 7 g (¼ oz)

3. If the balancer is within the specification range, balance a tire and wheel assembly, which is within radial and lateral runout tolerances, to ZERO with the same balancer.
4. After the tire and wheel assembly has been balanced, add any 85 g (3 oz) test weight to the wheel at any location.
5. Spin the tire and wheel assembly again. Note the readings.

•	In the static and dynamic modes, the balancer should add 85 g (3 oz) weight, 180 degrees opposite the test weight location.

•	In the dynamic mode, the weight should be added to the wheel flange of the opposite the test weight.

6. With the assembly imbalance to 85 g (3 oz), cycle the balancer 5 times.
7. Inspect the balancer readings:

Specification
Maximum variation: 7 g (¼ oz)

8. Re-position the tire and wheel assembly on the balancer shaft, 90-degrees deviating from the original place.
9. Place the assembly at the new location, spin the balancer.
10. Inspect the balancer readings:

Specification
Maximum variation: 7 g (¼ oz)

11. Repeat steps from 8 to 10 until the tire and wheel assembly has been cycled and checked at each of the 4 locations on the balancer shaft.

Important: Tire and wheel assemblies which exhibit excessive runout can produce vibrations even if the assemblies are balanced.

If the runout of the tire and wheel assembly has not been measured, refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - Off Vehicle BEFORE proceeding.

There are 2 types of tire and wheel balance:

Static Balance

Static balance is the equal distribution of weight around the wheel circumference. The wheel balance weights (2) are installed at the wheel to offset the effect of a heavy spot. (3) Wheels that have static imbalance can produce a bouncing action called tramp.

Dynamic Balance

Dynamic balance is the equal distribution weight on each side of the tire and wheel assembly centerline. The wheel balance weights (2) are installed at the wheel to offset the effect of a heavy spot. (3) Wheels that have dynamic imbalance have a tendency to move from side to side, and cause an action called shimmy.

Most Off-vehicle balancer are capable of checking both types of balance simultaneously.

Generally, most vehicles are more sensitive to static imbalance than to dynamic imbalance, however, vehicles equipped with low profile, wide tread path, high performance tires and wheels are susceptible to small amounts of dynamic imbalance. As little as 14-21 g (½-¾ oz) imbalance is capable of causing vibration in some vehicle models.

Important: When balancing tire and wheel assemblies, use a KNOWN GOOD, recently calibrated, off-vehicle, two-plane dynamic balancer, and set it to the finest balance mode.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Mark the relative location of the wheels to the wheel studs and mark the specific vehicle position on each tire and wheel - LF, LR, RF, RR.
3. Dismount the tire and wheel assembly one at a time and mount it on a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
4. Carefully follow the wheel balancer manufacturer's instructions for proper mounting techniques to install different types of wheels.

Regard aftermarket wheels, especially those incorporating universal lug patterns, as potential sources of runout and mounting concerns.

5. Be sure to use the correct type of wheel balance weights for the type of wheel rim being balanced. Be sure to use the correct type of coated wheel balance weights on aluminum wheels. Refer to Wheel Weight Usage.
6. Balance all four tires and assemblies as close to zero as possible.
7. Using the matchmarks made prior to removal, install the tire and assemblies to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
8. Lower the vehicle.

Tire and wheel assemblies can be balanced using either the static or dynamic method.

Clip-on Weights

Important: When balancing factory aluminum wheels with clip-on wheel balance weights, be sure to use special polyester-coated weights. These coated weights reduce the potential corrosion and damage to aluminum wheels.

These coated weights reduce the potential corrosion and damage to aluminum wheels.

Important: Use a nylon or plastic-tipped hammer when installing coated polyester wheel weights, to minimize the possibility of damage to the polyester coating.

The contour and type of the wheel rim flange will determine which type of clip-on wheel weight (1) should be used. The weight should follow the contour of the rim flange. The weight clip should firmly grip on the rim flange.

Wheel Weight Placement - Clip-on Weights

When static balancing, locate the wheel balance weights on the inboard flange (2) if only 28 g (1 oz) or less is needed. If more than 28 g (1 oz) is needed, split the weights as equally as possible between the inboard (2) and outboard (1) flanges.

When dynamic balancing, locate the wheel balance weights on the inboard (2) and outboard (1) rim flanges at the positions specified by the wheel balancer.

Adhesive Weights

Important: When installing adhesive balance weights on flangeless wheels, do NOT install the weight on the outboard surface of the rim.

Adhesive weights can be used on factory aluminum wheels. Perform the following procedure to install adhesive wheel balance weights.

1. Determine the correct areas for placement of the wheel weights on the wheel.

•

When static balancing, locate the wheel balance weights along the wheel centerline (1) on the inner wheel surface if only 28 g (1 oz) or less is needed. If more than 28 g (1 oz) is needed, split the weights as equally as possible between the wheel centerline and the inboard edge of the inner wheel surface (2).

•	When dynamic balancing, locate the wheel balance weights along the wheel centerline and the inboard edge of the inner wheel surface (2) at the positions specified by the wheel balancer.

2. Ensure that there is enough clearance between the wheel weights and brake system components.

Important: Do not use abrasives to clean any wheel surface .

3. Using a clean cloth or paper towel with GM cleaner, thoroughly clean any corrosion, overspray, dirt or any other foreign material on balance weights designated attachment areas.
4. To ensure there is no remaining residue, wipe the balance weight attachment areas again, using a clean cloth or paper towel with a mixture of half isopropyl alcohol and half water.
5. Dry the attachment areas with hot air until the wheel surface is warm for touch.
6. Warm the backing adhesive on the wheel balance weights to room temperature.
7. Remove the protective covering from the backing adhesive on the back of the balance weights. DO NOT touch the adhesive surface.
8. Apply the wheel balance weights to the wheel and press into place with hand pressure.
9. Secure the wheel balance weights to the wheel with a 90 N (21 lb) force applied with a roller.