GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tire and Wheel Rotational Speed Calculation

A size P235/75R15 tire rotates ONE complete revolution per second (RPS), or 1 Hz, at a vehicle speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). This means that at 16 km/h (10 mph), the same tire will make TWO complete revolutions in one second, 2 Hz, and so on.

Tire Rotational Speed (at 8 km/h [5 mph])

Tire Size

Tread

Revs/Sec (Hertz)

at 8 km/h (5 mph)

P205/75R15

ALS

1.06

P235/55R16

AL2

1.07

P235/70R15

ALS

1.03

P235/75R15

ALS

1.00

31X10.50R15LT/C

OOR

0.95

Tread Codes

ALS

All Season

AL2

All Season Touring

OOR

On/Off Road

  1. Determine the rotational speed of the tires in revolutions per second (RPS), or Hertz (Hz), at 8 km/h (5 mph), based on the size of the tires. Refer to the Tire Rotational Speed table.
  2. For example: According to the Tire Rotational Speed table, a P235/70R15 tire makes 1.03 revolutions per second (Hz) at a vehicle speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). This means that for every increment of 8 km/h (5 mph) in vehicle speed, the tire's rotation increases by 1.03 revolutions per second (Hz).

  3. Determine the number of increments of 8 km/h (5 mph) that are present, based on the vehicle speed (km/h, mph) at which the disturbance occurs.
  4. For example: Assume that a disturbance occurs at a vehicle speed of 96 km/h (60 mph). A speed of 96 km/h (60 mph) has 12 INCREMENTS of 8 km/h (5 mph):

    96 km/h (60 mph) divided by 8 km/h (5 mph) = 12 increments

  5. Determine the rotational speed of the tires in revolutions per second (Hz), at the specific vehicle speed (km/h, mph) at which the disturbance occurs.
  6. For example: To determine the tire rotational speed at 96 km/h (60 mph), multiply the number of increments of 8 km/h (5 mph) by the revolutions per second (Hz) for one increment:

    12 (increments) X 1.03 Hz = 12.36 Hz (rounded to 12 Hz)

  7. Compare the rotational speed of the tires at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, to the dominant frequency recorded on the J 38792-A during testing. If the frequencies match, then a first-order disturbance related to the rotation of the tire/wheel assemblies is present.
  8. If the frequencies do not match, then the disturbance may be related to a higher order of tire/wheel assembly rotation.

  9. To compute higher order tire/wheel assembly rotation related disturbances, multiply the rotational speed of the tires at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, by the order number:
  10. 12 Hz X 2 (for second order) = 24 Hz second-order tire/wheel assembly rotation related

    12 Hz X 3 (for third order) = 36 Hz third-order tire/wheel assembly rotation related

    If any of these computations match the frequency of the disturbance, a disturbance of that particular order, relating to the rotation of the tire/wheel assemblies is present.

Propeller Shaft Rotational Speed Calculation

  1. Determine the first order rotational speed of the propeller shaft(s) in revolutions per second (Hz), based on the first-order rotational speed of the tire/wheel assemblies and the drive axle(s) (final drive) ratio(s).
  2. 12 Hz X 3.42 drive axle (final drive) ratio = 41.04 Hz (rounded to 41 Hz) first-order propeller shaft rotation related

  3. Compare the rotational speed of the propeller shaft(s) at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, to the dominant frequency recorded on the J 38792-A during testing. If the frequencies match, then a first-order disturbance related to the rotation of the propeller shaft is present.
  4. If the frequencies do not match, then the disturbance may be related to the second-order of propeller shaft rotation.

  5. To compute a second order propeller shaft rotation related disturbance, multiply the first order rotational speed of the propeller shaft at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, by the order number of 2:
  6. 41 Hz X 2 (for second order) = 82 Hz second-order propeller shaft rotation related

    If the computation matches the frequency of the disturbance, a disturbance relating to the second-order rotation of the propeller shaft is present.

Component Rotational Speed Worksheet

Utilize the following worksheet as an aid in calculating the first, second and third order of tire/wheel assembly rotational speed and the first and second order of propeller shaft rotational speed related disturbances that may be present in the vehicle.

If after completing the Tire/Wheel Rotation Worksheet, the frequencies calculated do NOT match the dominant frequency of the disturbance recorded during testing, either recheck the data, or attempt to rematch the figures allowing for 1½-8 km/h (1-5 mph) of speedometer error.

If the possible tire/wheel assembly and/or propeller shaft rotational speed related frequencies still do not match the dominant frequency of the disturbance, the disturbance is most likely torque/load sensitive.

If after completing the Tire/Wheel Rotation Worksheet, one of the frequencies calculated DOES match the dominant frequency of the disturbance, the disturbance is related to the rotation of that component group, (tire/wheel assembly or propeller shaft).


Object Number: 6509  Size: LF