2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Checking roundness of tires?

[Hummin Cummins]

Does anyone know how to check for a tire being out of round? I just got my new ones and now I have a shimmy. I took it back and they rebalanced them... . one was 1. 25oz off but this did not correct it. I also notice a little more rearend "hop" at slower speeds. I would like to check them myself before I go back to the tire shop. These guys have always treated me well and I know they will make it right.



Chris



Hope this is in the right forum

 

[docdyno]

The reported proper procedure is with a tire run-out indicator. It looks like a big dial indicator that has a little roller on the end. It is usually used with the tire/wheel mounted on a tire balancer. In years past we used to use one for what was called "match mounting. " If I remember correctly, the wheel was reportedly marked with an X or the tire stem hole punched in the high side of the rim. Tires were supposed to come with a mark or yellow sticker or dot to indicate the low side of the tire. You were supposed to match the low side if the tire with the high side of the rim. If they were not marked, you used the run-out indicator to find out the high side of the tire and rotated it on the rim for the best match. Somewhat time intensive, but it made a notable difference at times. Not sure if tire & rim manufacturers still use this procedure. I may still have the run-out gage somewhere. Let me know if you need it. If I can dig it up, you can borrow it if you like. Hope this somewhat answers your question.

 

[Ron Bissett]

If you do not have a gauge ,and want to get a ruff idea , just jack up wheel and clear ground ,place board rock chalk you name it under tire and with small gap between object and tire rotate if tire strikes object hi spot is here , you can use chalk held at angle to keep from braking in direction of rotation. Also a right angle frame with chalk on side of tire would show out of round just use your imagination . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[wtrenholm]

Checking runout will show wheel and tire runout, make sure you check the wheel flanges along with tire surface to figure out which is the potential problem.



Some shimmy can be cause from tire casing problems, checking runout won't find this, Hunter makes a wheel balancer that places a simulated road load on the tire assy and is supposed to be the be all and end all of balancing. I guess the manufacturers are doing this along with match mounting. I've seen a couple these balancers at trade shows but haven't used one yet. We hope to buy one next year but they are quite spendy.



Wayne

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I'm not sure where to start. I naturally blamed the new tires simply because it wasnt there before. I guess I'll start with the runout and then go from there. Maybe they will wear out before I find the problem and I can get rid of them.

 

[Dane]

See If you can find a shop in your area with one of these-



http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/product.htm



First click on the GSP9700 link and then click on the tab in the upper right to find a shop in your area. Make sure whoever does your tires was trained by Hunter and not just given a quick "how to" by someone else...

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Dane

Found 3 shops in my area. All chebby dealers, imagine that. One is 1/2 mile away from my work.



Thanks,

Chris