Tire and Wheel Runout
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUTRadial 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 0.62 mm (0.024 inch) measured at the center line of the tread may cause the vehicle to shake.
Lateral runout of more than 0.800 mm (0.031 inch) measured near the shoulder of the tire may cause the vehicle to shake.
Runout should always be measured off the I 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 the accuracy of the mounting surface on the wheel and the flange of the hub/bearing assembly.
Drive the vehicle a short distance to eliminate any tire flat spotting that may have occurred from the vehicle being parked.
Verify all wheel nuts are properly tightened and torqued in the correct sequence..
Fig. 3:
Use runout gauge 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.
Check radial runout. 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 the tire on wheel is particularly effective when there is runout in both the tire and the 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 0.62 mm (0.024 inch).
Fig. 6:
Check the lateral runout of the wheel. The lateral runout should be no more than 0.800 mm (0.031 inch).
If the point of the most radial wheel runout is near the original chalk mark, remount the tire 45 degrees from its original spot. Recheck runout.