Whels, Tires, Whel Alignment

Wheel, Balancing, Tire and Wheel Radial and Lateral Run-Out, Checking

~2min read

Before beginning balancing, the following requirements must be fulfilled.

The tire pressure must be OK.

The tire profile must not be worn on one side. The tire profile must be at least 4 mm.

The tires must not have any damage such as cuts, holes, foreign bodies, etc.

The suspension and steering, including the shock absorber, must be in perfect condition. Test drive performed. Refer to → Chapter „Vibration, Road Test, Performing Before Balancing“. Radial and lateral run-out occur when the wheel and tire are not running precisely true.

For technical reasons, 100% true running is not possible.

Therefore the manufacturers of these components allow a precisely specified tolerance. Mounting the tire in a unfavorable position on the wheel can be the cause for exceeding the maximum allowed tolerance for wheel with tire.

Checking Lateral Run-Out

  • Preload the Tire Dial Gauge approximately 2 mm.
  • Position the Tire Dial Gauge on the side wall of the tire.
  • Rotate the wheel slowly.
  • Note the smallest and the largest dial readings.
Note

If the difference is greater than 1.3 mm, the lateral run-out is too great.

In this case the radial run-out can be reduced by matched mounting. Refer to → Chapter „Tires and Rims, Matching“. Peak values on the Tire Dial Gauge due to small irregularities in the rubber may be disregarded.

Checking Radial Run-Out

  • Preload the Tire Dial Gauge approximately 2 mm.
Wheel, Balancing, Tire and Wheel Radial and Lateral Run-Out, Checking
  • Position the Tire Dial Gauge on the tread of the tire.
  • Rotate the wheel slowly.
  • Note the smallest and the largest dial readings.
Note

If the difference is greater than 1 mm, the radial run-out is too great.

In this case the radial run-out can be reduced by matched mounting. Refer to → Chapter „Tires and Rims, Matching“. The table shows the maximum permissible tolerance values for the wheel with mounted tire.

Tolerances for Radial and Lateral Run-Out of Rim With Tire

Wheel, Balancing, Tire and Wheel Radial and Lateral Run-Out, Checking
Rim With Tire Radial Run-Out (mm) Lateral Run-Out (mm)
Passenger Vehicle 0.9 1.1 (1.3 near the lettering)

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