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

No Yes Yes No No Yes

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

No Yes No (See Tires) Yes

Any out-of-round or bent Do the wheels fit hubcentrically on the hubs?

wheels must be replaced; if
wheels are OK, tire should be No Yes
broken down, turned 180°,
Remove any old spacers, clips Tire Brake Align/
lubed, and reseated.
and adapters; verify wheel is Rotation Service Suspension
Now do the wheels and tires run true? correctly centered on hub.
Were tires & Check suspension
No Yes Were the supplied wheel lug nuts/bolts used? wheels rebalanced tightness.
when they
No Yes
Any out-of-round tires were rotated? Check suspension
must be replaced. Reinstall using correct hardware. bushing wear.
Yes No
Does wheel and tire balance check out? Was the wheel lug hardware tightened using Continue with Tire
an alternating pattern and torque wrench? Rebalance diagnosis chart.
No Yes
No Yes Continue with Tire
Remove old wheel weights
diagnosis chart.
and rebalance. Retorque using torque wrench.
Did this eliminate tire vibration? Did this eliminate tire vibration?
No Yes No Yes

Rotate tires front to rear Rotate tires front to rear

on one side of vehicle. on one side of vehicle.
Check adjustment of wheel bearings.
Did vibration location change? Did vibration location change? Were any brake rotors/drums
resurfaced or replaced?
No Yes No Yes
No Yes
Rotate tires front Recheck tire and Rotate tires front Recheck tire and
to rear on other wheel now at to rear on other wheel now at If available, use on-the-car
side of vehicle. vibration location. side of vehicle. vibration location. spin balancer to fine-tune
tire balance.
Did vibration location change? Did vibration location change?
Did this cure the vibration?
No Yes No Yes
No Yes
Recheck tire and wheel now Recheck tire and wheel now
at vibration location. at vibration location. Continue with Tire diagnosis chart.

Continue with Wheel diagnosis chart. Continue with Vehicle Service diagnosis chart. ©2012 TR