Runout Measurement (Dial Indicator): Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Ford Pickup, 2010 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2010 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2010 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Diagnosis of tire/wheel vibration should not be performed on tires with less than 320 km (200 mi). Some initial tire/wheel vibration issues (such as flat spotting) will correct themselves after the tires have been in service for 320 km (200 mi).

NOTE: Loaded run-out measurements are the preferred method for verifying tire serviceability. While a dial indicator can be used to optimize the position of the tire on the wheel the unloaded run-out measurement cannot accurately determine if the tire should be removed from service.

The following procedures should be used if normal diagnostics leads to a potential runout issue.

Some vehicles may exhibit a wheel and tire vibration caused by excessive runout. Radial runout measurements can be taken using a dial indicator and should be measured with the wheel and tire assembly mounted on a suitable wheel balancer. The dial indicator should be mounted securely to eliminate gauge movement when measuring runout.

NOTE: Use only the Digital Tire Gauge any time tire pressures are measured to be sure that accurate values are obtained.

Make sure that the tire pressures are set to the correct pressure as indicated on the VC label.
Using a tire crayon, record the vehicle position on the inward sidewall of all tires.
Remove the wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE - SINGLE REAR WHEEL (SRW) or WHEEL AND TIRE - DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW) .

NOTE: Make sure that the correct wheel balancer adapters are used when mounting the assembly to the wheel balancer or damage to the wheel may occur.

NOTE: Make sure that the wheel and tire assembly is clean and free of foreign material prior to installation on the balancer.

Mount the wheel and tire assembly on a suitable wheel balancer using the correct wheel balancer adapters as shown in illustration. Refer to the list of recommended wheel balancer adapters on the PTS website .