Tire and Wheel Runout
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Excessive radial and lateral runout of a wheel and tire assembly can cause roughness, vibration, wheel tramp, tire wear, and steering wheel tremor.
Before checking runout, and to avoid false readings caused by temporary flat spots in the tires, check runout only after the vehicle has been driven far enough to warm the tires.
The extent of the runout is measured with the radial runout gauge. All measurements are made on the vehicle with the tires inflated to recommended inflation pressures and with the front wheel bearings adjusted to specifications.