Standard Procedure - Tire And Wheel Balance

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Balance equipment must be calibrated and maintained per equipment manufacturer's specifications.

Wheel balancing can be accomplished with either on-vehicle or off-vehicle equipment.

NOTE: If using on-vehicle balancing equipment, on the driving axle, remove the opposite wheel and tire assembly.

It is recommended that a two-plane dynamic balancer be used when a wheel and tire assembly requires balancing. A static balancer should only be used when a two-plane balancer is not available.

Balance wheel and tire assemblies dynamically and statically to less than 0.25 (1/4) ounce.

For static balancing, find location of heavy spot causing imbalance. Counter balance wheel directly opposite the heavy spot. Determine weight required to counterbalance the area of imbalance. Place half of this weight on the inner rim flange and the other half on the outer rim flange. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Static Unbalance & Balance

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - HEAVY SPOT	4 - CORRECTIVE WEIGHT LOCATION
2 - CENTER LINE OF SPINDLE	5 - TIRE OR WHEEL TRAMP, OR WHEEL HOP
3 - ADD BALANCE WEIGHTS HERE

For dynamic balancing, the balance equipment is designed to indicate the location and amount of weight to be applied to both the inner and outer rim flanges. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Dynamic Unbalance & Balance

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CENTER LINE OF SPINDLE	3 - CORRECTIVE WEIGHT LOCATION
2 - ADD BALANCE WEIGHTS HERE	4 - HEAVY SPOT WHEEL SHIMMY AND VIBRATION

The aluminum wheels on this vehicle use a unique wheel weight. See Fig 3. This wheel weight is designed to fit the contoured surface of the wheel. See Fig 3. When balancing an aluminum wheel, this wheel weight must be used. Do not use any other type of wheel weight. It will not properly fit the contour of the wheel.

Fig 3: Aluminum Wheel Weight

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TIRE

2 - WHEEL

3 - WHEEL WEIGHT

Always verify the Balance. When using off-vehicle equipment, rotate assembly 180 degrees on balance equipment to verify balance. Variation should not be more than 0.125 (1/8) ounce. If variation is more than 0.125 ounce, balancing equipment could be malfunctioning.

If difficult to balance, break down the wheel and tire assembly and check for loose debris inside tire. Prior to disassembly, mark (index) the tire at the valve stem. Use this mark in order to remount the tire in its original orientation with respect to the wheel.