2008 Malibu 18-Inch Aluminum Wheel Balancing Procedure - Avoiding Out of Balance Tires and Vibration by Using Specific Balancer Cone

Dealers may become aware of 2008 Malibus that exhibit a smooth road shake (vibration) at highway speeds before and after a wheel balance is performed.

Some cast aluminum wheels may not "chuck up" properly when installed to some wheel balancers. The standard cones may not fit the wheel’s center hole properly when inserted from the back side of the wheel. The cone may "bottom out" against the smaller hub cap diameter before contacting the proper center hole surface. This can lead to an inaccurate wheel balance, and result in a vibration concern.

Prior to installing the wheel on the balancing machine, check the locating cone for proper fit to the wheel. Install the balance locating cone inside the wheel’s center hole from the backside of the wheel. Make sure it does not bottom out. The side of the cone should uniformly contact the center hole inside wheel hub (not the smaller hub cap diameter). If it bottoms out, the cone may "rock" during wheel balancing. Cones that exhibit this condition must not be used as they may not provide an accurate wheel balance.

For all brand wheel balancers, you may use the illustration below to determine the usability of a selected balancing cone. Referencing the illustration: the balancer cone (1) should contact the wheel inside hub bore (2) for proper wheel retention. If the wheel cone "bottoms out" at the hub cap diameter (5) and is unsupported by the hub inside bore (2), the cone is not suitable and should not be used.