A first order tire and wheel vibration is usually the result
of one of the following five conditions:
• | Excessive radial runout |
• | Excessive lateral runout |
• | Excessive radial force variation |
• | Excessive lateral force variation |
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 assemblies 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.
Methods of Measuring Tire/Wheel Assembly Runout
The tire and wheel assembly 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 assembly
runout:
• | The on-vehicle method, with the tire and wheel assembly mounted
on the hub. The wheel bearing must be in good condition. |
• | The off-vehicle method, with the tire and wheel assembly mounted
on a spin-type tire balancer. |
Perform the following initial on-vehicle inspections prior to the off-vehicle
runout checks:
- 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.
- 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
assembly 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:
• | A mounting problem between the wheel and the vehicle |
Measuring Tire/Wheel Assembly Runout
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
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Obtain an initial indication of how much runout exists:
2.1. | Spin the each tire and wheel assembly 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. |
- Matchmark the each of the tire and wheel assemblies in relation
to the wheel studs and to their position on the vehicle (LF, LR, RF, RR) for
future reference.
- Remove the tire and wheel assemblies one at a time and mount on
a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
Locate the tire and wheel assembly on the balancer with a cone through
the back side of the center pilot hole.
- 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.
- Measure the tire and wheel assembly radial runout.
6.1. | Slowly rotate the tire and wheel assembly one complete revolution
and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot. |
6.2. | Rotate the assembly 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) |
- Measure the tire and wheel
assembly 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 assembly one complete revolution
and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot. |
7.2. | Rotate the assembly 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) |
- Make the necessary repairs to the tire and wheel assembly.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Repeat the procedure until all the wheel runouts have been measured.
- Lower the vehicle.
Measuring Wheel Runout
If tire and wheel assembly runout cannot be brought within tolerance,
measure the wheel runout.
If any runout measurement of a wheel exceeds specifications, the wheel
should be replaced. (ALWAYS measure the runout of a new wheel.)
If the runout of the wheel is within tolerance, and the tire and wheel
assembly runout cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, the tire should
be replaced. (ALWAYS measure the tire and wheel assembly runout after replacing
the tire.)
Measurement Procedure
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
Vehicle Lifting and
Jacking in General Information.
- Matchmark the each of the tire and wheel assemblies in relation
to the wheel studs and to their position on the vehicle (LF, LR, RF, RR) for
future reference.
- Remove the tire and wheel assemblies one at a time and mount on
a spin-type wheel balancer. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
Locate the tire and wheel assembly on the balancer with a cone through
the back side of the center pilot hole.
- Measure the wheel radial
runout on the outside of the wheel (with the tire mounted), if the wheel
disign 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 assembly one complete revolution
and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot. |
4.2. | Rotate the assembly one more complete revolution and note the
total amount of runout indicated. |
Aluminum Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)
- 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 assembly one complete revolution
and ZERO the dial indicator on the low spot. |
5.2. | Rotate the assembly one more complete revolution and note the
total amount of runout indicated. |
Aluminum Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)
- 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.
- 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. |
Aluminum Wheel Maximum Radial Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)
- 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. |
Aluminum Wheel Maximum Lateral Runout
0.762 mm (0.030 in)
- Make the necessary repairs to the tire and wheel assembly.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Repeat the procedure until all the wheel runouts have been measured.
- Lower the vehicle.