How are Tire & Wheel Assembly Balance issues diagnosed?
The only case in which tire rotation would ever be recommended, is if the manufacturer specified interval has been missed. If the tires appear as described above, they will blend in after a few hundred miles of being repositioned. A technician noting that the vehicle shakes while driving may check the wheel balance to rule out the possibility of imbalance in the wheel and tire assembly causing the shake or shimmy. Most notably, if vibration is felt at certain ranges of speed or increases with vehicle speed, the tires will be balanced first.
How are Tires and Wheels balanced?
To rotate the tires, the technician checks for directional or non-directional tires. Directional tires are made to rotate in one direction, so if they were taken to the other side of the vehicle, the tire would be facing backwards. For directional tires, the wheels are moved from the back to the front, and front to back. For all other tires, the tires are moved in a crossing pattern that moves the tires from spare tire position to front tire position, and back. One pattern is spare position, right-rear position, right-front position, left-rear position, left-front position, and repeat. The tires will be balanced by being spun on a balancing machine and adding weights at the certain points.
RepairPal Recommendations for Tire & Wheel Assembly Balance issues
Rotating and balancing tires is always recommended at the scheduled times, but if rotation is missed, it can be corrected on the next scheduled maintenance.
What to look out for when dealing with Tire & Wheel Assembly Balance issues
Early rotation should never be recommended. Ensure you know your service record, have in with you when your vehicle is serviced, and if tire rotation is recommended, see that you are due according to your service manual. If balancing the tires is recommended, the servicing technician should clearly state that a shake or vibration in the vehicle is noted. This should be evident as you drive.
Can I balance my Tires & Wheels myself?
Anyone can rotate tires. Using a jack, and jack-stands, the tires can be rotated easily as long as proper lifting and supporting techniques are used, and the wheel lug nuts are tightened to specification. Unlike tire rotation, however, tire balancing requires an expensive computerized balancing machine to identify where the weights need to be placed. Also, the weights used to balance tires are not readily available at local parts stores, as they are sold in bulk to repair facilities.
