A first order tire and wheel vibration is usually the result of one of the following five conditions:

These conditions must be eliminated one at a time in order to attain a set of tires that are free from vibration causing elements. Substitute a set of tires from another vehicle only as a last resort, and only after the tires have been tested on a similar vehicle under the same conditions. Correcting the existing tire and wheel is the most accurate and least time consuming approach. This is due to vehicle-to-vehicle sensitivities and the differences between the hubs of any two vehicles.

The tire and wheel runout will directly affect the amount of the imbalance and the radial force variation. Therefore, correct the runout first before further diagnosis. The less runout, the less imbalance and radial force variation. Radial and lateral runout can be corrected at the same time. There are two methods for correcting the tire and wheel runout:

Perform the following initial on-vehicle inspections prior to the off-vehicle runout checks:

1. Inspect the tires for any uneven bead seatings. The distance from the edge of the ring to the concentric rim locating ring should be equal around the entire circumference.
2. Properly mount the tires if the beads are not seated properly in order to avoid excessive runout and imbalance.

The off-vehicle method is the easiest way of measuring the tire and wheel runout. Properly mounting the dial indicator in the correct location in relation to the tire (1) is easier. The dial indicator is less likely to be subjected to water, snow, dirt, or other elements. After measuring the correct runout off-vehicle, inspect the runout with the tire and wheel mounted on the vehicle. The runout measurement may vary greatly between these two methods. If so, the runout is due to one of the following conditions:

Important: If the vehicle has been sitting in one place for an extended period of time, the tires may develop flat spots at the point where the tires were resting on the ground. These flat spots will affect the runout readings. In order to eliminate these flat spots, drive the vehicle long enough to warm up the tires. The flat spots MUST be eliminated prior to taking any runout measurements.

Measurement Procedure

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Obtain an initial indication of how much runout exists:

2.1.	Spin the each tire and wheel on the vehicle by hand (or at a slow speed using the engine to run the drive wheels).

2.2.	Visually inspect the amount of runout from the front or rear of the tire.

3. Matchmark the each of the tires and wheels in relation to the wheel studs and to their position on the vehicle (LF, LR, RF, RR) for future reference.
4. Remove the tires and wheels one at a time and mount on a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

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




5. Wrap the outer circumference of tires that use an all-season or aggressive tread pattern with tape (1), in order to accurately measure the radial runout.
6. Measure the tire and wheel radial runout.

6.1.	Slowly rotate the tire and wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

6.2.	Rotate the tire and wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Maximum Radial Runout

•	Measured off-vehicle: 1.27 mm (0.050 in)

•	Measured on-vehicle: 1.52 mm (0.060 in)




7. Measure the tire and wheel lateral runout.

Lateral runout should be measured on a smooth area of the sidewall as close to the tread as possible. Ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices and attain an average amount of runout.

7.1.	Slowly rotate the tire and wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

7.2.	Rotate the tire and wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Maximum Lateral Runout

•	Measured off-vehicle: 1.27 mm (0.050 in)

•	Measured on-vehicle: 1.52 mm (0.060 in)

8. Make the necessary repairs to the tire and wheel.
9. Install the tires and wheels to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
10. Lower the vehicle.

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

If any runout measurement of a wheel exceeds specifications, replace the wheel. Always measure the runout of a new wheel before installing the tire to the wheel.

If the runout of the wheel is within tolerance, and the tire and wheel runout cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, replace the tire. Always measure the tire and wheel runout after replacing the tire.

Measurement Procedure

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Matchmark the each of the tires and wheels in relation to the wheel studs and to their position on the vehicle (LF, LR, RF, RR) for future reference.
3. Remove the tires and wheels one at a time and mount on a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

Mount the tire and wheel on the balancer according to the balancer manufacturers specifications.




4. Measure the wheel radial runout on the outside of the wheel (with the tire mounted), if the wheel design allows.

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.

4.1.	Slowly rotate the tire and wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

4.2.	Rotate the tire and wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Steel Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
1.01 mm (0.040 in)

Aluminum Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)




5. Measure the wheel lateral runout on the outside of the wheel (with the tire mounted), if the wheel design allows.

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.

5.1.	Slowly rotate the tire and wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

5.2.	Rotate the tire and wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Steel Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
1.14 mm (0.045 in)

Aluminum Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)

6. If the wheel design does not allow runout measurements to be made with the tire mounted, dismount the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.



7. Measure the wheel radial runout on the inside of the wheel.

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.

7.1.	Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

7.2.	Rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Steel Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
1.01 mm (0.040 in)

Aluminum Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)




8. Measure the wheel lateral runout on the inside of the wheel.

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.

8.1.	Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot.

8.2.	Rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and note the total amount of runout indicated.

Steel Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
1.14 mm (0.045 in)

Aluminum Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)

9. Make the necessary repairs to the tire and wheel.
10. Install the tires and wheels to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
11. Lower the vehicle.