NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

22-001-14
Tires and wheels
February 19, 2014

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of Chrysler Group LLC.

SUBJECT:
Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speeds
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves road testing , tire balance measuring , road force variation and flat
spotting removal
SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

(1)

Hunter GSP9700 Road Force® Diagnostic System

DISCUSSION:

NOTE: The respective tire manufacture is responsible for any "tire defects".
VISUAL INSPECTION:
Visual inspection of the vehicle is recommended prior to road testing or performing any
other procedure . Raise and support the vehicle (Refer to 04 - Vehicle Quick
Reference/Hoisting - Standard Procedure) .

Inspect for the following :
Verify correct (OEM) wheel and tire , as well as presence of wheel weights
·Inspect tires and wheels for damage, mud packing and unusual wear; correct as
necessary.
·Check and adjust tire air pressure to the pressure listed on the label attached to the
driver's door opening.
ROAD TEST:

NOTE: If a Noise & Vibration Analyzer is available, use it to diagnosis the issue
during the road test.
NOTE: If the vehicle has been sitting for an extended period of time it is
recommended to drive to warm the tires. This process could eliminate flat
spots that can cause vibration.
Road test vehicle on a smooth road at and near the designated speed where legal speed

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limits allow. Lightly place hands on steering wheel at the 10:00 and 2:00 positions and
observe for:
·Steering wheel oscillation: clockwise/counterclockwise
·Steering wheel high frequency movement: rapid vibration up and down
·Seat high frequency movement: rapid vibration up and down
To rule out vibrations due to brakes or powertrain:
·Lightly apply brakes at the designated speed; if vibration occurs or is enhanced , vibration
is likely due to a brake concern (Refer to 05 - Brakes/Hydraulic/Mechanical/ROTOR, Brake
- Diagnosis and Testing) .
·Shift transmission into neutral while vibration is occurring; if vibration is eliminated ,
vibration is likely due to a powertrain concern (Refer to 03 - DIFFERENTIAL AND
DRIVELINE) .

TIRE/WHEEL BALANCE AND ROAD FORCE VAR/A TION:
NOTE: If wheel balance equipment is capable of testing tire road force variation and
the tire/wheel assemblies are within specification, place the tires with the
greater road force variation on the rear of the vehicle.
Balance the tire and wheel assemblies as necessary, and if wheel balance equipment is
capable, also test for tire and wheel runout and road force variation following the wheel
balancer manufacturer's instructions and using the information listed in Tire And Wheel
Balance below . Repeat the road test above to verify the vibration is repaired .
NOTE: When mounting the wheel and tire assemblies, position them so the high
spot which can be identified using a Hunter GSP9700 is at the 12 o'clock
position. If a Hunter GSP9700 is not available, position the wheel and tire
assemblies so the valve stem is at the 12 o'clock position.

TIRE/WHEEL BALANCE:
NOTE: Always verify the wheel and tire balance before removing any wheel weights.
If assembly is within specification and weights are not corroded or loose, do
not remove weights. The process of removing and adding weight could
damage wheel protective coating.
NOTE: Balance and road force variation equipment must be calibrated and
maintained per equipment manufacturer's specifications.
NOTE: If a tire sealant & inflator kit was used to temporarily repair small punctures
then the tire must be removed from wheel and all the sealant must be
removed with a water damped cloth before repairing & balancing the
assembly.

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NOTE: Some wheels may not have an outer flange. Apply adhesive weights on
midplane surface to balance.
NOTE: Use of the proper collet will prevent potential damage to the Chrome Clad
wheels.
NOTE: Balance equipment could read an incorrect balance result when measuring
Chrome Clad wheels. This is caused by the equipments mounting cone/collet
contacting the cladding or the cone/collet is not balanced. A dual-taper collet
(1) type wheel centering tool is recommended as opposed to a high-taper
cone (2) type wheel centering tool. Always use the manufacturer's
recommended balance equipment (Fig. 1).
Dual-taper col let type (1)
·High-taper cone type (2)
·Possible obstruction (3)
·May not seat properly (4)
·No obstruction (5)
.Properly seated (6)

Fig. 1 Balance Equipment
NOTE: If wheel balance equipment is capable of testing tire road force variation and
the tire/wheel assemblies are within specification, place the tires with the
greater road force variation on the rear of the vehicle.
For dynamic balancing (recommended), the balance equipment is designed to indicate the
location and amount of weight to be applied to both the inner and outer rim flanges (2)
(Fig. 2).

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I

Fig. 2 Dynamic Balancing
For static balancing (not recommended) , find the location of the heavy spot causing the
imbalance (1 ). Counter balance the wheel directly opposite the heavy spot. Determine
weight required to counterbalance the area of imbalance. Place half of this weight on the
inner rim flange and the other half on the outer rim flange (3) at the predetermined spots
(Fig . 3).

Fig. 3 Static Balancing
Aluminum wheels use a different type wheel weight than steel wheels . Be sure to use the
correct wheel weight for the wheel type.
Always verify the balance. When using off-vehicle equipment, remount the tire and wheel
assembly 180 degrees on the balancer spindle and recheck balance. Balance variation
from one spot to the other should not be more than 0.125 (#)ounce . If variation is more
than 0.125 ounce, balancing equipment could be malfunctioning , or the wrong collet/cone

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may have been used .
If difficult to balance , break down the tire and wheel assembly and check for loose debris
inside the tire . Prior to disassembly, mark (index) the tire at the valve stem . Use this mark
in order to remount the tire in its original orientation with respect to the wheel.

POLICY:
Damaged tires and wheels are not reimbursable under warranty.