GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tire and Wheel Runout Measurement - Off-Vehicle

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Mark the location of each tyre and wheel assembly in relation to the vehicle.
  3. Remove the tyre and wheel assemblies from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  4. Closely inspect each tyre for correct and even bead seating.
  5. If any of the tyre beads were not correctly or evenly seated, reseat the tyre bead, then proceed to step 6. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
  6. Important: The wheel must be mounted on the spin-type wheel balancer in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

  7. Mount a tyre and wheel assembly on a spin-type wheel balancer.

  8. Object Number: 176957  Size: SH

    Important: Wrapping the tread with tape allows for a smooth and accurate reading of radial runout to be obtained.

  9. Wrap the outer circumference of each tire with tape (1) in the center tread area.
  10. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller, on the taped portion of the tyre tread perpendicular to the surface.
  11. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low point.
  12. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  13. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of radial runout.
  14. Specification
    Maximum tyre and wheel assembly radial runout - measured off-vehicle: 1.27  mm (0.050  in)


    Object Number: 176958  Size: SH
  15. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller on a smooth portion of the tyre sidewall, perpendicular to the surface, as close as possible to the tread area.
  16. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low point. Ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices.
  17. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  18. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of lateral runout. Ignore any jumps or dips due to sidewall splices and attain an average runout measurement.
  19. Specification
    Maximum tyre and wheel assembly lateral runout - measured off-vehicle: 1.27  mm (0.050 in)

  20. Repeat steps 6 through 15 until all tyre and wheel assembly, radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken.
  21. If the tyre and wheel assembly runout measurements are not within specifications, proceed to step 19.
  22. If the tyre and wheel assembly runout measurements are within specifications, then the off-vehicle tyre and wheel assembly runout is considered acceptable.

  23. Object Number: 176966  Size: SH

    Important: Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges, unless wheel design will not permit. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

  24. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller perpendicular to the horizontal outer surface of the wheel rim flange, with the tyre still mounted.
  25. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low point.
  26. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  27. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of wheel radial runout.
  28. Specification

        • Maximum aluminium wheel radial runout - measured off-vehicle, tire mounted: 0.762  mm (0.030 in)
        • Maximum steel wheel radial runout - measured off-vehicle, tire mounted: 1.015  mm (0.040 in)

    Object Number: 176968  Size: SH

    Important: Wheel runout should be measured on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges, unless wheel design will not permit. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

  29. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller perpendicular to the vertical outer surface of the wheel rim flange, with the tyre still mounted.
  30. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one complete revolution in order to find the low point.
  31. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  32. Slowly rotate the tyre and wheel assembly one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of wheel lateral runout.
  33. Specification

        • Maximum aluminium wheel lateral runout - measured off-vehicle, tire mounted: 0.762  mm (0.030 in)
        • Maximum steel wheel lateral runout - measured off-vehicle, tire mounted: 1.143  mm (0.045 in)
  34. Repeat steps 19 through 26 until all tyre and wheel assembly wheel, radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken.
  35. If any of the wheel runout measurements are not within specifications. Refer to Wheel Runout Measurement below.
  36. If the wheel runout measurements are within specifications, replace the tyre. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
  37. Remeasure the runout of the affected tyre and wheel assembly, or assemblies after replacement of any tyres.
  38. Install the tyre and wheel assembly in the original location in relation to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  39. Remove the safety stands.
  40. Lower the vehicle.

Wheel Runout Measurement

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Mark the location of each tyre and wheel assembly in relation to the vehicle.
  3. Remove the tyre and wheel assemblies from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  4. Using a suitable marker indicate on the tyre, the orientation of the tyre to the wheel valve stem.
  5. Remove the tyre from the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
  6. Important: The wheel must be mounted on the spin-type wheel balancer in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

  7. Install the wheel on a spin-type wheel balancer.

  8. Object Number: 176960  Size: SH

    Important: Measure wheel runout on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

  9. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller perpendicular to the horizontal inner surface of the wheel rim flange.
  10. Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution in order to find the low point.
  11. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  12. Slowly rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of wheel radial runout.
  13. Specification

        • Maximum aluminium wheel radial runout - measured off-vehicle, tyre dismounted: 0.762 mm (0.030 in)
        • Maximum steel wheel radial runout - measured off-vehicle, tyre dismounted: 1.015 mm (0.040 in)

    Object Number: 176964  Size: SH

    Important: Measure wheel runout on both the inboard and outboard rim flanges. Ignore any jumps or dips due to paint drips, chips, or welds.

  14. Position the dial indicator fitted with a roller perpendicular to the vertical inner surface of the wheel rim flange.
  15. Slowly rotate the wheel one complete revolution in order to find the low point.
  16. Set the dial indicator to zero at the low point.
  17. Slowly rotate the wheel one more complete revolution and measure the total amount of wheel lateral runout.
  18. Specification

        • Maximum aluminium wheel lateral runout - measured off-vehicle, tyre dismounted: 0.762 XX mm (0.030 in)
        • Maximum steel wheel lateral runout - measured off-vehicle, tyre dismounted: 1.143 XX mm (0.045 in)
  19. Repeat steps 2 through 14 until all tyre and wheel assemblies, radial and lateral runout measurements have been taken.
  20. If any of the wheel runout measurements are not within specifications, replace the wheel. Refer to Replacement Wheels Description and Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
  21. Important: Always measure the runout of any of the tyre and wheel assemblies after mounting the tyre.

    Important: If refitting the original tyre on the original wheel align the mark on the tyre with the valve stem on the wheel.

  22. Install the tyre to the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
  23. Install the tyre and wheel assembly in the original location in relation to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  24. Remove the safety stands.
  25. Lower the vehicle.