GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Test Description

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

  1. This test will determine any tire/wheel conditions that are not acceptable and need replacement.

  2. This test will determine if the vehicle has a runout concern on the vehicle versus off the vehicle.

  3. This test will determine if the tire/wheel has a definite runout concern off the vehicle and will pinpoint either the tire or wheel that needs further repairs.

  4. This test will determine if the rotor(s) is out of balance.

  5. This test will determine if there is excessive runout in the hub/axle flange or excessive runout in the wheel stud.

  6. This test will help eliminate on-vehicle runout by match-mounting (vectoring) high and low runout spots on the tire/wheel to the hub/axle flange.

  7. This test will determine the radial/lateral force variation of the tire/wheel assemblies and will be able to determine which tire/wheel is faulty.

  8. This test will determine if the wheel hub or the wheel axle needs to be replaced.

  9. This procedure will achieve a finish balance on the vehicle.

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

Based on the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing Table, is the concern first-order tire and wheel assembly related?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

Based on the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing Table, is the concern second-order, or higher-order tire and wheel assembly related?

Go to Step 19

Go to Vibration Analysis - Road Testing

4

Visually inspect the tire and wheel assemblies for the following:

    • Debris buildup, such as packed mud, undercoating, ice/snow buildup, road tar, etc.
    • 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 5

Go to Step 6

5

  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 24

--

6

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 7

Go to Step 11

7

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

Does the runout measurement indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 8

8

Are any of the tire and wheel assembly runout measurements marginal (within acceptable limits, but close to the maximum)?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 14

9

  1. Match-mount (vector) the tire-to-wheel for each tire and wheel assembly with marginal runout. Refer to Tire-to-Wheel Match-Mounting (Vectoring) .
  2. Remeasure the runout of each match-mounted tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - Off Vehicle .

Were you able to significantly reduce the amount of tire and wheel assembly runout?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 20

10

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

Does the remeasurement indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 24

11

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

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

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

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 24

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

13

  1. Inspect the brake rotors for damage.
  2. Inspect the balance of the brake rotors. Refer to Brake Rotor/Drum Balance Inspection .

Are any of the brake rotors damaged and/or out of balance?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 18

14

Measure the runout of the hub/axle flanges and the wheel studs. Refer to Hub/Axle Flange and Wheel Stud Runout Inspection .

Does the runout measurement indicate a runout concern?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

15

  1. Match-mount (vector) the tire and wheel assemblies-to-hub/axle flanges. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly-to-Hub/Axle Flange Match-Mounting .
  2. Remeasure the on-vehicle runout of tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle .

Were you able to significantly reduce the amount of on-vehicle tire and wheel assembly runout?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 2

16

Replace components as required. Refer to the following procedures as necessary:

    •  Wheel Stud Replacement in Front Suspension
    •  Wheel Stud Replacement in Rear Suspension
    •  Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement in Front Suspension
    •  Rear Axle Shaft Replacement in Rear Drive Axle

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 24

--

17

Replace the brake rotors or drums as necessary. Refer to the appropriate procedure in Disc Brakes or Drum Brakes:

    •  Brake Drum Replacement

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 24

--

18

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 20

Go to Step 21

19

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 20

Go to Step 22

20

Replace the tire(s) and/or wheel(s) as necessary. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 24

--

21

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 24

Go to Step 23

22

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 24

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

23

Finish-balance the tire and wheel assemblies ON-vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing - On-Vehicle .

Did you complete the on-vehicle finish balancing?

Go to Step 24

--

24

  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