Tire and Wheel Runout
OVERVIEWRadial runout is the vertical distance between the high and low points on the tire or wheel edge.
Lateral runout is the horizontal movement of the tire or wheel.
Radial runout of more than 1.524 mm (0.060 inch) measured at the center line of the tread may cause the vehicle to shake.
Lateral runout of more than 2.032 mm (0.080 inch) measured near the shoulder of the tire may cause the vehicle to shake.
Runout should always be measured off the vehicle and on a suitable balance machine.
Usually radial runout can be reduced by relocating the wheel and tire on the wheel studs (See Method 1). If this does not reduce runout to an acceptable level, the tire can be rotated on the wheel. (See Method 2).
METHOD 1 (RELOCATE WHEEL ON HUB)
Check accuracy of the wheel mounting surface; adjust wheel bearings.
Drive vehicle a short distance to eliminate tire flat spotting from a parked position.
Fig. 2:
Verify all wheel nuts are properly torqued.
Fig. 3:
Use runout pause D-128-TR to determine runout.
Relocate wheel on the mounting, two studs over from the original position.
Retighten wheel nuts until all are properly torqued. This will prevent brake distortion.
Fig. 4:
Check the radial runout of the wheel. If still excessive, mark tire sidewall, wheel, and stud at point of maximum runout and proceed to METHOD 2.
METHOD 2 (RELOCATE TIRE ON WHEEL)
Rotating tire on wheel is particularly effective when there is runout in both tire and wheel.
Remove tire from wheel and remount wheel on hub in former position.
Fig. 5:
Check the radial runout of the wheel. The radial runout of the wheel should be no more than 1.524 mm (0.060 inch).
Fig. 6:
Check the lateral runout of the wheel. The lateral runout of the wheel should be no more than 0.762 mm (0.030 inch).
If point of the most wheel radial runout is near original chalk mark, remount tire 45 degrees from its original spot. Recheck runout.