Prior to performing any work, always road test the vehicle and perform a careful visual inspection for any of the following conditions:
• | Obvious tire and wheel runout (1) |
• | Obvious drive axle runout |
• | Improper tire inflation (2) |
• | Incorrect trim height |
• | Bent or damaged wheels (3) |
• | Debris build-up on the tire or the wheel |
• | Irregular or excessive tire wear |
• | Improper tire bead seating on the rim |
• | Imperfections in the tires, including tread deformations, separations, or bulges from impact damage. Slight sidewell indentions are normal and will not affect ride quality. |
Balancing is the easiest procedure to perform and should be done first if the vibration occurs at high speeds. Do an off-vehicle, 2-plane dynamic balance first to correct any imbalance in the tire and wheel assembly.
An on-vehicle finish balance will correct any brake drum, rotor, or wheel cover imbalance. If balancing does not correct the high-speed vibration, or if the vibration occurs at low speeds, runout is the probable cause.
Runout can be caused by the tire, the wheel, or the way the wheel is attached to the vehicle. To investigate the possibility of wheel runout, refer to the following procedures as well as the wheel runout diagnosis chart in this section.
6.1. | Measure the hub stud runout using a dial indicator set with a magnetic base. |
6.2. | Zero the dial indicator set button on one stud. |
6.3. | Gently lift the set button off the stud. Rotate the flange to position the next stud against the dial indicator set. |
6.4. | Record the runout of all the studs. The dial indicator should read zero when it is repositioned on the first stud that was checked. |
6.5. | If the runout exceeds 0.76 mm (0.03 in), the hub stud or the hub and bearing assembly should be replaced. |
Whenever a tire is rotated on the wheel, or whenever a tire or wheel is replaced, rebalance the assembly.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Road test the vehicle to verify the vibration complaint. Are the customer's concerns verified? | -- | Go to Step 2 | System OK |
2 |
Is the vibration still present? | -- | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
3 | Determine at what speed the vibration is present. Is the vibration present when the speed is greater than 64 km/h (40 mph)? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 6 |
4 | Perform an off-vehicle dynamic wheel balance. Is the vibration still present? | -- | Go to Step 5 | System OK |
5 | Perform an on-vehicle finish balance. Is the vibration still present? | -- | Go to Step 6 | System OK |
6 | Perform a free lateral and a radial on-vehicle runout check. Does the runout match the value specified? | 1.5 mm (0.06 in) | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 7 |
7 | Perform a free lateral and a free radial off-vehicle runout check. Does the runout match the value specified? | 1.3 mm (0.05 in) | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 12 |
8 |
Does the runout match the value specified? | 0.76 mm (0.03 in) | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 14 |
9 | Perform an off-vehicle dynamic wheel balance. Is the vibration still present? | -- | Go to Step 10 | System OK |
10 | Perform an on-vehicle finish balance. Is the vibration still present? | -- | Go to Step 11 | -- |
11 |
Are the repairs complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | -- |
12 |
Does the runout match the value specified? | 1.5 mm (0.06 in) | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 13 |
13 |
Does the runout match the value specified? | 0.8 mm (0.03 in) | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 16 |
14 | Measure the hub flange runout. Does the runout match the value specified? | 0.76 mm (0.03 in) | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 17 |
15 | Replace the tire. Is the repair complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | -- |
16 | Replace the wheel. Is the repair complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | -- |
17 | Replace the hub. Is the repair complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | -- |