GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

On-Vehicle Check

  1. Support the vehicle drive axle(s) on a suitable hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies from the drive axle(s). Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Caution: One or more of the following guidelines may apply when performing specific required tests in the work stall:

       • When a test requires spinning the drive wheels with the vehicle jacked up, adhere to the following precautions:
          - Do not exceed 56 km/h (35 mph) when spinning one drive wheel with the other drive wheel stopped. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one-half the actual vehicle speed under these conditions. Personal injury may result from excessive wheel spinning.
          - If all of the drive wheels are spinning at the same speed, do not exceed 112 km/h (70 mph). Personal injury may result from excessive wheel spinning.
          - All persons should stay clear of the rotating components and the balance weight areas in order to avoid possible personal injury.
          - When running an engine in the repair stall for an extended period of time, use care not to overheat the engine and the transmission.
       • When a test requires jacking up the vehicle and running with the wheels and brake rotors removed, adhere to the following precautions:
          - Support the suspension at normal ride height.
          - Do not apply the brake with the brake rotors removed.
          - Do not place the transmission in PARK with the drive axles spinning.
          - Turn Off the ignition in order to stop the powertrain components from spinning.
       • When running an engine in the work stall, use the exhaust removal system to prevent breathing dangerous gases.

  4. Reinstall the wheel nuts in order to retain the brake rotors.
  5. Run the vehicle at the concern speed while inspecting for the presence of the vibration.
  6. Notice: Do not depress the brake pedal with the brake rotors and/or the brake drums removed, or with the brake calipers repositioned away from the brake rotors, or damage to the brake system may result.

  7. If the vibration is still present, remove the rotors/drums from the drive axle(s), then run the vehicle back to the concern speed. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes and/or Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
  8. Important: If a brake rotor and/or drum is replaced as a result of following this step, check the new rotor/drum for imbalance by performing the Rotor/Drum Balance Inspection - Off-Vehicle, following.

  9. If the vibration is eliminated when the rotors and/or drums are removed from the drive axle(s), repeat the test with one rotor/drum installed at a time. Replace the rotor and/or drum that is causing or contributing to the vibration concern. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes and/or Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
  10. Perform the Rotor/Drum Balance Inspection - Off-Vehicle (following), if necessary to confirm the results obtained during the On-Vehicle inspection, and/or to check the non-drive axle components (RWD only).

Off-Vehicle Check


    Object Number: 182237  Size: SH
  1. Mount the rotor/drum on a balancer in the same manner as a tire and wheel assembly.
  2. Important: Check the brake rotor/drum for static imbalance only; ignore the dynamic imbalance readings.

  3. Inspect the rotor/drum for static imbalance.

There is not a set tolerance for brake rotor/drum static imbalance. (However, any brake rotor/drum measured in this same manner which is over 21 g [¾ oz] may have the potential to cause or contribute to a vibration.) Rotors/drums suspected of causing or contributing to a vibration should be replaced. Any rotor/drum that is replaced should be checked for imbalance in the same manner.