GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table:

  1. A buildup of foreign material on a tire and wheel assembly and/or a damaged, abnormally or excessively worn tire and wheel assembly could cause a vibration disturbance.

  2. Tire and wheel assemblies that exhibit excessive runout when measured while mounted on the vehicle, may or may not be contributing to, or causing a vibration disturbance. On-vehicle runout, if present, could contribute to, or cause a vibration disturbance, but the cause of the on-vehicle runout may not be the tire and wheel assemblies.

  3. Force variation may be present in a tire and wheel assembly that exhibited acceptable balance and runout. Force variation, if present, could contribute to, or cause a vibration disturbance.

  4. Vibration disturbances could be affected by, or possibly caused by, components that are susceptible to steering input and/or torque-load input.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Has the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing table been completed?

Go to Step 2

Go to Vibration Analysis - Road Testing

2

Visually inspect the tire and wheel assemblies for the following:

    • Debris buildup, such as packed mud, undercoating, ice/snow buildup, road tar, etc.
    • Debris trapped between dual wheels
    • Damage, abnormal or excessive wear

Refer to Tire and Wheel Inspection .

Do any of the tire and wheel assemblies exhibit any of the conditions listed?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Remove the debris from the tire and wheel assemblies.
  2. Replace the damaged, abnormally or excessively worn wheels or tires as necessary. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.

Did you complete the repair or replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

4

Measure the on-vehicle runout of the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Does the runout measurement indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 8

5

  1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts and retighten in sequence. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  2. Remeasure the on-vehicle runout of the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Does the runout measurement still indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 18

6

  1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  2. Visually inspect for debris behind the wheel and on the wheel to hub mating surface.

Is there debris between any of the tire and wheel assemblies and the hub surfaces?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

  1. Remove the debris from between the tire and wheel assembly and the hub surface.
  2. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Remeasure the on-vehicle runout of the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Does the runout measurement still indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 18

8

Is the vehicle equipped with 19.5 inch wheels?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 15

9

Inspect the balance of the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing - Off Vehicle .

Are any of the tire and wheel assemblies out of balance?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 15

10

Balance the tire and wheel assemblies as necessary. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing - Off Vehicle .

Were you able to achieve balance?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 11

11

Replace the wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

12

  1. Inspect the wheel bearings for looseness or damage. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis in Suspension General Diagnosis.
  2. Measure the on-vehicle runout of the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Does the runout measurement still indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 18

13

  1. Install a known good tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle in place of the affected tire and wheel assembly.
  2. Measure the on-vehicle runout of the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Does the runout measurement still indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

14

Replace the affected wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 18

--

15

Inspect for radial and lateral force variation. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Isolation Test .

Were you able to isolate one or more of the tire and wheel assemblies as the cause of the disturbance?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

16

Replace the tires and/or wheels as necessary. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

17

Perform the Vibration Analysis - Hub/Axle Input table. Refer to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input .

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

18

  1. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
  2. Perform the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing table. Refer to Vibration Analysis - Road Testing .

Is the vibration still present?

Go to Step 2

System OK