Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Balancing wheel, balancing wheel on stationary wheel balancer

Before you start balancing the wheels, the following requirements must be met.

Tyre pressure must be OK.

Tread must not be worn on one side. Tread depth should be at least 4 mm.

The tyre must not show any signs of damage, for example cuts, piercing, foreign bodies, etc. Wheel suspension and steering, including shock absorbers, must be in perfect condition.

Road test has been carried out → Chapter.

Note If bonded wheel trims are fitted, treat them with great care. The surface is susceptible to scratches.

If the wheel trim is damaged, renew wheel rim.

Use only the model-specific clamping plate -VAS 6652- and thrust pin -VAS 6652/1-.

Clamp wheel into wheel balancing machine

Dirt and rust in the area of the contact surfaces and centre of the wheel distort the result.

Clean contact surface, centring element and inside of wheel using e.g. pneumatic brush grinding set -VAS 6446- → ServiceNet; Workshop Equipment, Catalogue before clamping wheel on wheel balancing machine.

Note It is essential that the correct tools for centring and clamping the wheels are used on the wheel balancing system. Before starting any work, find out about the respective centring system for wheel balancing machines → ServiceNet; Workshop Equipment, Catalogue.

Attach the wheel (together with tyre) to the wheel balancing machine.

Note

Balancing wheel, balancing wheel on stationary wheel balancer

To clamp the wheel in place, use centring system for wheel balancing machines -VAS 5271-, for example. This ensures that the wheel is 100% centred and that the wheel will be clamped without damage! The wheel cannot be perfectly centred on the wheel balancing machine using conical clamping elements. A deviation of 0.1 mm from the centre results in an imbalance of 10 grams at the wheel/rim.

Procedure for balancing wheels and tyres

Allow the wheel (together with tyre) to rotate on the wheel balancing machine.
Check that the indicator lines on the sidewalls of the tyre near the wheel rim flange run evenly.
Check tyre profile with wheel/tyre rotating.

Note If one-sided wear, flat spots from braking or severely washed out spots are apparent, balancing cannot achieve smooth running. In this case, the tyre must be renewed.

Check true running of wheel/tyre. If the wheel and tyre do not run true although there are no flat spots, radial or lateral runout may be the cause.
Check the wheel for radial or lateral run-out → Chapter.
If radial and lateral runout are within the specified tolerance, balance the wheel and tyre.

Note

More than 60 grams of weight per tyre should not be used.

If more weight is required, you may be able to achieve smoother running by "matching" the tyre and rim. Matching tyres → Chapter.

The wheel balancer display should indicate 0 gram.

As an alternative to match mounting, you could use the vibration control system -VAS 6230 A- → Chapter.

Bolt wheel onto vehicle.

Caution In the case of ceramic brakes, it must be ensured that the wheel does not fall onto the brake disc because the latter will then be destroyed. When removing/installing the wheel, fit the long assembly pin into the upper position (12 o'clock position) instead of the wheel bolt, and for additional support fit the short assembly pin into the wheel bolt mountings. This allows for sliding the wheel on the assembly aids when removing/installing.

Tighten lowest wheel bolt by hand to about 30 N·m.
Tighten remaining wheel bolts diagonally to about 30 N·m. This process centres the wheel on the hub.
Lower vehicle onto its wheels.
Use the torque wrench to firmly tighten the wheel bolts diagonally to the prescribed torque.
Carry out a road test.

If you detect vibration during the road test, it may be due to wheel centring tolerances. In unfavourable circumstances, the component tolerances of wheels and hubs could cumulate. This too can lead to vibration. This can be alleviated using a finish balancer. → Chapter

Balancing wheel, balancing wheel on stationary wheel balancer