Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing - Off Vehicle
Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing - Off Vehicle
Warning
Failure to adhere to the following precautions before tire balancing can result in personal injury or damage to components:
* Clean away any dirt or deposits from the inside of the wheels.
* Remove any stones from the tread.
* Wear eye protection.
* Use coated weights on aluminum wheels.
Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancer Calibration
1. Tire and wheel balancers can drift out of calibration over time, or can become inaccurate as a result of heavy use. It is likely there will not be any visual evidence that a calibration problem exists. If a balancer is not calibrated within specifications, and a tire and wheel assembly is balanced on that machine, the assembly may actually be unbalanced.
2. Tire and wheel assembly balancer calibration should be checked and serviced in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.
Tire and Wheel Assembly Balancing Guidelines
Note:
Tire and wheel assemblies which exhibit excessive runout can produce vibrations even if the assemblies are balanced.
It is strongly recommended that the tire and wheel assembly runout be measured and corrected if necessary before the assemblies are balanced.
1. If the runout of the tire and wheel assemblies has not yet been measured, refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle , before proceeding.
2. There are 2 types of tire and wheel balance:
Static Balance
1. Static balance is the equal distribution of weight around the wheel circumference. The wheel balance weights (2) are positioned on the wheel in order to offset the effects of a heavy spot (3).
2. Wheels that have static imbalance can produce a bouncing action around the wheel centre (1) called tramp.
Dynamic Balance
1. Dynamic balance is the equal distribution of weight on each side of the tire and wheel assembly centre-line. The wheel balance weights (2) are positioned on the wheel in order to offset the effects of a heavy spot (3). Wheels that have dynamic imbalance have a tendency to move from side to side around the wheel centre (1) called shimmy.
2. Most off-vehicle balancers are capable of checking both types of balance simultaneously.
3. As a general rule, most vehicles are more sensitive to static imbalance than to dynamic imbalance; however, vehicles equipped with low profile, wide tread path, high performance tires and wheels are susceptible to small amounts of dynamic imbalance.
Balancing Procedure
Danger:
To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed and strap the vehicle to the hoist.
Warning:
Refer to Safety Glasses Warning Safety Glasses Warning.
Note:
When balancing tire and wheel assemblies, use a calibrated and well maintained, off-vehicle, two-plane dynamic balancer set to the finest balance mode available.
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.
Note:
Note the location of each tire and wheel assembly in relation to the original position on the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.
Note:
The wheel must be mounted on the spin-type wheel balancer in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
3. Mount a tire and wheel assembly on a spin-type wheel balancer.
4. Cycle the wheel balancer to determine if a tire and wheel assembly imbalance exists.
* If an imbalance is found remove and discard all wheel weights from the tire and wheel assembly and continue the procedure.
* If an imbalance is not found. Refer to Strategy Based Diagnosis Strategy Based Diagnosis.
Note:
The correct type of wheel balance weights for the type of wheel rim being balanced must be used. The correct type of coated wheel balance weights for aluminium wheels must be used. Refer to Wheel Weight Usage within this procedure.
Note:
The tire and wheel assembly must be balanced in accordance with the wheel balancer manufacturers instructions.
5. Balance all of the tire and wheel assemblies.
Note:
The tire and wheel assemblies must be installed in the correct location in relation to the original position on the vehicle.
6. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.
7. Remove the safety stands.
8. Lower the vehicle.
Wheel Weight Usage
Note:
When balancing factory aluminium wheels with clip-on wheel balance weights, be sure to use special polyester-coated weights. These coated weights reduce the potential for corrosion and damage to aluminium wheels.
1. MC (1) and AW (2) series weights are approved for use on aluminium wheels.
2. P (3) series weights are approved for use on steel wheels only.
3. T (4) series coated weights are approved for use on both steel and aluminium wheels.
Note:
A nylon or plastic-tipped hammer must be used when installing coated clip-on wheel balance weights to minimize the possibility of damage to the polyester coating and wheel surface.
1. The contour and style of the wheel rim flange will determine which type of clip-on wheel weight (1) should be used.
2. The weight should follow the contour of the rim flange. The weight clip should firmly grip the rim flange.
Wheel Weight Placement - Clip-on Weights
When balancing, install the wheel balance weights on the inboard (2) and outboard (1) rim flanges at the positions specified by the wheel balancer.
Wheel Weight Placement - Adhesive Weights
Note:
When installing adhesive balance weights on flangeless wheels, do not install the weight on the outboard surface of the rim.
1. Adhesive wheel balance weights may be used on factory aluminium wheels. Perform the following procedure to install adhesive wheel balance weights.
2. Determine the correct areas for placement of the wheel weights on the wheel.
When balancing, locate the wheel balance weights along the wheel centre-line (1) and the inboard edge (2) of the inner wheel surface at the positions specified by the wheel balancer.
3. Make sure that there is sufficient clearance between the wheel weights and brake system components.
Note:
Do not use abrasives to clean any surface of the wheel. The balance weight attachment areas must be free from corrosion, dirt, oil or any other foreign material.
4. Clean the designated balance weight attachment areas.
5. Dry the attachment areas with hot air until the wheel surface is warm to the touch.
6. Warm the adhesive backing on the wheel balance weights to room temperature.
Note:
Do not touch the adhesive surface.
7. Remove the protective covering from the adhesive backing on the back of the balance weights.
Note:
Press the wheel balance weights into place with firm hand pressure.
8. Install the wheel balance weights to the wheel.