For 1990-2009 cars

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.

### Tire Balancing

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

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.

1. If runout is suspected, measure the on-vehicle free lateral and free radial runout of the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Tires and Wheels . Both the free lateral and the free radial runout should be less than 1.5 mm (0.06 in). If either measurement exceeds this number, proceed to Step 2.
2. Mount the tire and the wheel on a dynamic balancing machine and remeasure the free lateral and the free radial runout. Record the amount of the free lateral and the free radial runout and the location of the highest measurement. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear . If the free radial or the free lateral runout exceeds 1.3 mm (0.05 in) at the tire tread, proceed to Step 4.
3. Measure the wheel runout. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear . If the wheel exceeds specifications, replace it.
4. Deflate the tire and match-mount the high radial runout point of the tire to the low radial runout point of the wheel. Reinflate the tire and mount it on the dynamic balancing machine. Measure and record the free radial and the free lateral runout and their locations. In many cases, match mounting the tire on the wheel will bring the tire and wheel assemblies free runout into an acceptable range of 1.3 mm (0.05 in) or less.
5. If the free runout of the tire and wheel assembly is 1.3 mm (0.05 in) or less when it was measured off the vehicle, yet exceeds 1.3 mm (0.05 in) when measured on the vehicle, the attachment of the tire and wheel assembly to the hub is the probable cause of the vibration. Rotate two of the assemblies wheel nuts and recheck the runout. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear . Several positions may have to be tried to find the best location for the nuts.
6. If the tire and wheel assembly free runout cannot be reduced to 1.3 mm (0.05 in) or less, remove the assembly.

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.

#### Wheel Runout Diagnosis

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 |

1. Perform a vibration diagnosis preliminary check.
2. Repair any of the problems found.

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 |

1. Index the tire and wheel assembly on the hub studs.
2. Obtain the least amount of runout possible.

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 |

1. Inspect for any engine driveline imbalance.
2. Thoroughly inspect the drive axles and the constant velocity joints.
3. Repair any problems found.

Are the repairs complete?

--

Go to Step 1

--

12 |

1. Match-mount the tire on the wheel.
2. Perform a free lateral and a free radial off-vehicle runout check.

Does the runout match the value specified?

1.5 mm

(0.06 in)

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 13

13 |

1. Dismount the tire from the wheel of the suspected assembly.
2. Measure the runout of the wheel.

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 | --