Symptom Chart - Tire Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Excursion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - TIRE NOISE/VIBRATION

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Tire noise - hum/moan at constant speeds	Abnormal wear patterns.	SPIN the tire and CHECK for tire wear. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. INSPECT for damaged/worn suspension components. CARRY OUT wheel alignment.
Tire noise - noise tone lowers as the vehicle speed is lowered	Out-of-balance tire.	BALANCE the tire and road test. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
Tire noise - ticking noise, changes with speed	Nail puncture or stone in tire tread	INSPECT the tire. REPAIR as necessary.
Wheel and tire - vibration and noise concern is directly related to vehicle speed and is not affected by acceleration, coasting or decelerating	Damaged or worn tire.	GO to PINPOINT TEST J: WHEEL AND TIRE .
Tire wobble or shudder - occurs at lower speeds	Damaged wheel bearings.	SPIN the tire and CHECK for abnormal wheel bearing play or roughness. ADJUST or INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
	Damaged wheel.	INSPECT the wheel for damage. INSTALL a new wheel as necessary. REFER to FRONT - 2WD - EXCURSION, F-250 & F-350 SUPER DUTY PICKUP for 2-wheel drive vehicles or FRONT - 4WD LEAF SPRING - EXCURSION & F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP for 4-wheel drive vehicles.
	Damaged or worn suspension components.	INSPECT the suspension components for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary.
	Loose wheel nuts.	CHECK the wheel nuts. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Damaged or uneven tire wear.	SPIN the tire and CHECK for abnormal tire wear or damage. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
Tire shimmy or shake - occurs at lower speeds	Wheel/tire out of balance.	BALANCE the wheel/tire assembly.
	Uneven tire wear.	CHECK for abnormal tire wear. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Excessive radial runout of wheel or tire.	CARRY OUT a radial runout test of the wheel and tire. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Worn or damaged wheel studs or elongated stud holes.	INSPECT the wheel studs and wheels. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT - 2WD - EXCURSION, F-250 & F-350 SUPER DUTY PICKUP for 2-wheel drive vehicles and FRONT - 4WD LEAF SPRING - EXCURSION & F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP for 4-wheel drive vehicles for the front wheels or REAR - EXCURSION & F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP for the rear wheels.
	Excessive lateral runout of the wheel or tire.	CARRY OUT a lateral runout test of the wheel and tire. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES . CHECK the wheel, tire and hub. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Foreign material between the brake disc and hub or in the brake disc fins.	CLEAN the mounting surfaces of the brake disc and hub. CHECK the brake disc fins for material.
High speed shake or shimmy - occurs at high speeds	Excessive wheel hub runout. Damaged or worn tires. Damaged or worn wheel bearings. Worn or damaged suspension or steering linkage components. Brake disc or drum imbalance.	GO to PINPOINT TEST K: HIGH SPEED SHAKE OR SHIMMY .