
Two characteristics of a wheel/tire assembly have a profound effect on vehicle ride quality -- balance and radial force variation.
Balance is related to the mass of the wheel/tire assembly, and radial force is related to the effective "roundness" of the assembly. Both can contribute to vibration being transmitted into the vehicle. Balance is addressed by installing weights to the perimeter of the wheel to counter the imbalance. Radial force variation is addressed by match mounting or by replacing a wheel or tire.
The first step in diagnosis is to visually inspect the wheel and tire. Look for:
• Missing balance weights
• Bent rim flange
• Irregular tire wear
• Incomplete bead seating
• Tire irregularities (including pressure settings)
• Mud/ice build-up in the wheel
• Aftermarket components
If a road test indicates a shake or vibration, check the imbalance of each wheel/tire assembly on a calibrated off-car dynamic balancer.
Balance
If you can see or feel the vibration in the steering wheel, it is very likely to be a wheel/tire first order (one pulse per revolution) disturbance caused by imbalance or non-uniformities in tires, wheels or hubs. Balance measures how the wheel/tire assembly's mass is distributed around its rotating axis. This measurement is accomplished by spinning the assembly at high speed. Balance is checked and corrected first. Often, vibration issues are corrected by simply balancing the assembly. If vibration or shake still exists, radial force variation may be the cause.
Balancer calibration and maintenance, proper attachment of the wheel to the balancer, and proper balance weights are all required for a quality balance. However, a perfectly balanced wheel/tire assembly can still be "oval-shaped" and cause a vibration.
Radial Force Variation
Radial force measures how "round" the assembly is when rolling under a load. Variations in tire sidewall stiffness, for instance, have an effect on radial force.
The wheel also affects the tire's Radial Force Measurement. To isolate the wheel, its runout must be measured. If it meets the runout specification, the tire can then be measured.
Radial Force Measurement must be done under a load. The most common ride concern involving radial force variation is highway speed shake on smooth pavement. A stiff section of sidewall will affect the rolling radius of the tire, causing a vibration once per revolution (or in some cases, 2nd, 3rd or 4th order inputs).
Tire and wheel balancer equipment with a load roller will apply a force of up to 1,250 pounds against the rotating tire/wheel assembly when performing a Road Force Measurement to simulate actual driving conditions and test tire uniformity. The equipment can measure loaded radial runout of the tire/wheel assembly within 0.002-inch. The measurements of loaded radial runout are converted to Road Force Measurement in pounds, kilograms or Newtons. (Fig. 2)

Most tire manufacturers do not recommend evaluating radial force variation until the tires have been driven for at least 10 miles (16 km) to ensure removal of any flatspotting. Do not use a Road Force Measurement to audit new tires. It is intended as a diagnostic tool to minimize radial force variation of the wheel/tire assembly.
Measuring wheel runout, and finding the low point of the wheel (for runout) and the high point of the tire (for radial force variation), allows the tire to be match mounted to the wheel to achieve the lowest wheel/tire assembly radial force variation. Place the wheel/tire assemblies with the lowest radial force variation on the front of the vehicle.
If match mounting tires to in-spec wheels produces assembly radial force variation numbers higher than the manufacturer's specifications, tire replacement may be necessary.
Balancer Cones
When mounting a wheel to a wheel balancer/force variation machine, use the wheel's center pilot hole. This is the primary centering mechanism; the bolt holes are secondary. Usually a back cone method to the machine should be used.
Some cast aluminum wheels may not "chuck up" properly when installed to some wheel balancers. This can lead to an inaccurate wheel balance and result in a vibration concern.
Prior to installing the wheel on the balancing machine, check the locating cone for proper fit to the wheel. Install the balancer locating cone inside the wheel's center hole from the backside of the wheel. Make sure it does not bottom out. The side of the cone should uniformly contact the center hole inside wheel hub (not the smaller hub cap diameter). If it bottoms out, the cone may "rock" during wheel balancing.
The balancer cone (Fig. 3, A) should contact the wheel inside hub bore (Fig. 3, B) for proper wheel retention (Fig. 3, C). Look at the interference point. (Fig. 3, D) If the wheel cone contacts the hub cap inside diameter (Fig. 3, E) and is unsupported by the hub inside bore, the cone is not suitable and should not be used.

- Thanks to Mike DeSander and Mike Militello










