Tire and Wheel Balance

TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE

NOTE: Balance equipment must be calibrated and maintained per equipment manufacturer's specifications.

Wheel balancing can be accomplished with either on-vehicle or off-vehicle equipment.


NOTE: If using on-vehicle balancing equipment, on the driving axle, remove the opposite wheel and tire assembly.

It is recommended that a two-plane dynamic balancer be used when a wheel and tire assembly requires balancing. A static balancer should only be used when a two-plane balancer is not available.


Balance wheel and tire assemblies dynamically and statically to less than 0.25 (1/4) ounce.


For static balancing, find location of heavy spot causing imbalance. Counter balance wheel directly opposite the heavy spot. Determine weight required to counterbalance the area of imbalance. Place half of this weight on the inner rim flange and the other half on the outer rim flange (Figure 1).





Figure 1 Static Unbalance & Balance







For dynamic balancing, the balance equipment is designed to indicate the location and amount of weight to be applied to both the inner and outer rim flanges (Figure 2).





Figure 2 Dynamic Unbalance & Balance







The aluminum wheels on this vehicle use a unique wheel weight (Figure 3). This wheel weight is designed to fit the contoured surface of the wheel (Figure 3). When balancing an aluminum wheel, this wheel weight must be used. Do not use any other type of wheel weight. It will not properly fit the contour of the wheel.





Figure 3 Aluminum Wheel Weight







Always verify the Balance. When using off-vehicle equipment, rotate assembly 180 degrees on balance equipment to verify balance. Variation should not be more than 0.125 (1/8) ounce. If variation is more than 0.125 ounce, balancing equipment could be malfunctioning.


If difficult to balance, break down the wheel and tire assembly and check for loose debris inside tire. Prior to disassembly, mark (index) the tire at the valve stem. Use this mark in order to remount the tire in its original orientation with respect to the wheel.