GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyzer (EVA) 2

Tire and Wheel Rotational Speed Calculation

A size P235/75R15 tire rotates ONE complete revolution per second (RPS), or 1 Hz, at a vehicle speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). This means that at 16 km/h (10 mph), the same tire will make TWO complete revolutions in one second, 2 Hz, and so on.

Tire Rotational Speed at 8 km/h (5 mph)

Tire Size

Tread

Revs/Sec (Hertz)

at 8 km/h (5 mph)

P185/70R14

ALS

1.19

P195/60R15

AL2

1.19

P205/55R16

AL3

1.16

P215/45R17

HWY

1.17

Tread Code

ALS

All Season

AL2

All Season Touring

AL3

All Season Performance

HWY

Highway

  1. Determine the rotational speed of the tires in revolutions per second (RPS), or Hertz (Hz), at 8 km/h (5 mph), based on the size of the tires. Refer to the Tire Rotational Speed table.
  2. For example: According to the Tire Rotational Speed table, a P205/55R16 tire makes 1.16 revolutions per second (Hz) at a vehicle speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). This means that for every increment of 8 km/h (5 mph) in vehicle speed, the tire's rotation increases by 1.16 revolutions per second, or Hz.

  3. Determine the number of increments of 8 km/h (5 mph) that are present, based on the vehicle speed in km/h (mph) at which the disturbance occurs.
  4. For example: Assume that a disturbance occurs at a vehicle speed of 96 km/h (60 mph). A speed of 96 km/h (60 mph) has 12 INCREMENTS of 8 km/h (5 mph):

    96 km/h (60 mph) divided by 8 km/h (5 mph) = 12 increments

  5. Determine the rotational speed of the tires in revolutions per second, or Hz, at the specific vehicle speed in km/h (mph) at which the disturbance occurs.
  6. For example: To determine the tire rotational speed at 96 km/h (60 mph), multiply the number of increments of 8 km/h (5 mph) by the revolutions per second, or Hz, for one increment:

    12 increments X 1.16 Hz = 13.92 Hz, rounded to 14 Hz

    Important: If the J 38792-A is not available, compare the calculated rotational speed to the frequency range associated with the symptoms of the vibration concern. Refer to Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction .

  7. Compare the rotational speed of the tires at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, to the dominant frequency recorded on the J 38792-A during testing. If the frequencies match, then a first-order disturbance related to the rotation of the tire/wheel assemblies is present.
  8. If the frequencies do not match, then the disturbance may be related to a higher order of tire/wheel assembly rotation.

  9. To compute higher order tire/wheel assembly rotation related disturbances, multiply the rotational speed of the tires at the specific vehicle speed at which the disturbance occurs, by the order number:
  10. 14 Hz X 2, for second order = 28 Hz second-order tire/wheel assembly rotation related

    14 Hz X 3, for third order = 42 Hz third-order tire/wheel assembly rotation related

    If any of these computations match the frequency of the disturbance, a disturbance of that particular order, relating to the rotation of the tire/wheel assemblies and/or driveline components, also rotating at the same speed, is present.

Component Rotational Speed Worksheet

Utilize the following worksheet as an aid in calculating the first, second and third order of tire/wheel assembly rotational speed related disturbances that may be present in the vehicle.

If after completing the Tire/Wheel Rotation Worksheet, the frequencies calculated do NOT match the dominant frequency of the disturbance recorded during testing, either recheck the data, or attempt to rematch the figures allowing for 1½-8 km/h (1-5 mph) of speedometer error.

If the possible tire/wheel assembly rotational speed related frequencies still do not match the dominant frequency of the disturbance, the disturbance is most likely torque/load sensitive.

If after completing the Tire/Wheel Rotation Worksheet, one of the frequencies calculated DOES match the dominant frequency of the disturbance, the disturbance is related to the rotation of that component group - tire/wheel assembly related.


Object Number: 95609  Size: LF