Tire And Wheel Balance

NOTE: Always verify the wheel and tire balance before removing any wheel weights. If assembly is within specification and weights are not corroded or loose, do not remove weights. The process of removing and adding weight could damage wheel protective coating.

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

NOTE: If a tire sealant & inflator kit was used to temporarily repair small punctures then the tire must be removed from wheel and all the sealant must be removed with a water damped cloth before repairing & balancing the assembly.

NOTE: Some wheels may not have an outer flange. Apply adhesive weights on midplane surface to balance.

Fig 1: Wheel Centering Tools - Dual-Taper Collet Type And High-Taper Cone Type

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

NOTE: Balance equipment could read an incorrect balance result when measuring Chrome Clad wheels. This is caused by the equipments mounting cone/collet contacting the cladding or the cone/collet is not balanced. A dual-taper collet (1) type wheel centering tool is recommended as opposed to a high-taper cone (2) type wheel centering tool. Always use the manufacturer's recommended balance equipment.

Dual-taper collet type (1)
High-taper cone type (2)
Possible obstruction (3)
May not seat properly (4)
No obstruction (5)
Properly seated (6)

NOTE: If wheel balance equipment is capable of testing tire road force variation and the tire/wheel assemblies are within specification, place the tires with the greater road force variation on the rear of the vehicle.

Fig 2: Dynamic Balancing

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

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

Fig 3: Static Balancing

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

For static balancing (not recommended ), find the location of the heavy spot causing the imbalance (1). Counter balance the 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 (3) at the predetermined spots.

Aluminum wheels use a different type wheel weight than steel wheels. Be sure to use the correct wheel weight for the wheel type.

Always verify the balance. When using off-vehicle equipment, remount the tire and wheel assembly 180 degrees on the balancer spindle and recheck balance. Balance variation from one spot to the other should not be more than 0.125 (1/8) ounce. If variation is more than 0.125 ounce, balancing equipment could be malfunctioning, or the wrong collet/cone may have been used.

If difficult to balance, break down the tire and wheel assembly and check for loose debris inside the 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.