®

Performance Tire and Wheel Specialists ®

VEHICLE VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS CHART

A flow chart to assist you in diagnosing vehicle vibrations. Follow from top to bottom to help isolate the source of the problem.
Set tire pressures to vehicle manufacturer’s inflation pressures and road test

Is vibration noticed through steering wheel or through seats/floor?

Through steering wheel - start with front axle Through seats/vehicle floor - start with rear axle

What recent changes have been made to vehicle?

Tires Wheels Vehicle Service

Did the vibration start immediately Did the vibration start immediately when Did the vibration start immediately when the
when the tires were installed the wheels were installed vehicle was last serviced

No Yes Yes No No Yes

Do the wheels & tires run true? Do wheels and tires run true? What service was performed?

No Yes No (see Tires) Yes

Any out of round or bent wheels

Do the wheels fit hubcentrically on the hubs?
must be replaced; if wheels are OK,
tire should be broken down, turned
No Yes
180°, lubed, and reseated Tire Brake Align /
Rotation Service Suspension
Remove any old spacers, clips
Now do the wheels & tires run true? and adapters; verify wheel is Were tires & Check
correctly centered on hub wheels suspension
No Yes
rebalanced when tightness
Any out of round tires Were the supplied wheel lug nuts/bolts used? they were
must be replaced rotated?
No Yes Check
Does wheel & tire balance check out? suspension
Reinstall using correct hardware Yes No bushing wear
No Yes
Was the wheel lug hardware tightened using an Rebalance
Continue
Remove old wheel weights alternating pattern and torque wrench? with tire
and rebalance Continue with diagnosis chart
No Yes tire diagnosis
Did this eliminate tire vibration? chart
Retorque using torque wrench
No Yes
Did this eliminate tire vibration?
Rotate tires front to rear on one Check adjustment of wheel bearings.
side of vehicle No Yes
Were any brake rotors/drums
Rotate tires front to rear resurfaced or replaced?
Did vibration location change?
on one side of vehicle
No Yes No Yes
Did vibration location change?
Rotate tires front to Recheck tire and
rear on other side wheel now at No Yes If available use
of vehicle vibration location on-the-car spin
Rotate tires front to Recheck tire and balancer to fine
Did vibration location change? rear on other side wheel now at tune tire balance
of vehicle vibration location
No Yes Did this cure the vibration?
Did vibration location change?
Recheck tire and No Yes
wheel now at No Yes
vibration location
Recheck tire and wheel now
at vibration location Continue with tire diagnosis chart
Continue with wheel diagnosis chart
Continue with Vehicle Service diagnosis chart ©1998 The Tire Rack