Loaded Runout Measurement (Hunter Road Force® 9700 Series Wheel Balancer)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Ford F-150. 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) correct themselves after the tires have been in service for 320 km (200 mi).

This procedure is intended to assist with the diagnosis of wheel and tire assembly runout and/or force variation issues.

The Hunter Road Force® 9700 Series Wheel Balancer measures the wheel and tire assembly's loaded runout and the tire's radial spring rate. The balancer then converts the runout into pounds of force (termed as Road Force®). Measuring loaded runout (Road Force®) is more effective than measuring unloaded runout using a dial indicator.

Using a tire crayon, record the vehicle position on the inner sidewall of all 4 tires.
Remove the wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to WHEEL AND TIRE .
NOTE: Use only the Digital Tire Pressure Gauge any time tire pressures are measured to be sure that accurate values are obtained.

Make sure the tire pressures are set to the correct pressure as indicated on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.

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

NOTE: The wheel balancer inflation station must be turned OFF for tires with inflation pressures of 414 kPa (60 psi) or above.

Mount the wheel and tire assembly on a suitable wheel balancer using the correct wheel balancer adapters as shown below.

Fig 1: Identifying Wheel And Tire Assembly, Wheel Balancer And Adapters

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item	Description
1	Wheel balancer
2	Cone
3	Wheel and tire assembly
4	Finger plate
5	Balancer wing nut

Measure the Road Force®.

Temporarily mark the high spot and the Road Force® value on the sidewall of the tire. If the wheel and tire assembly Road Force® value is not within specification, carry out the MATCH MOUNTING procedure to optimize the wheel and tire assembly.
If the wheel and tire assembly Road Force® value is within specification, permanently mark the high spot and the Road Force® value on the inward sidewall of the tire for reference during future wheel and tire service. Balance the assembly and install the wheel and tire on the vehicle using the Wheel-to-Hub Optimization procedure.

Vehicle	Maximum allowable Road Force® value
F-150 with P-metric tires	11 kg (25 lb)
F-150 with LT-metric tires	16 kg (35 lb)