
ponents. Under extremes of suspension and steering
travel tire damage may occur.
WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED RATING CAN
CAUSE SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.
ROTATION
DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERN TIRES
Some vehicles are fitted with special high-perfor-
mance tires having a directional tread pattern de-
signed to improve traction on wet pavement. To obtain the full benefits of this design, the tires
must be installed so that they rotate in the correct
direction. This is indicated by arrows on the tire
sidewalls. When wheels and tires are being installed, extra
care is needed to ensure that this direction of rota-
tion is maintained. Refer to Owner's Manual for rotation schedule.
NONDIRECTIONAL TIRES
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles oper-
ate at different loads and perform different steering,
driving, and braking functions. For these reasons,
they wear at unequal rates, and tend to develop ir-
regular wear patterns. These effects can be reduced
by timely rotation of tires. Rotation will increase
tread life, help to maintain mud, snow, and wet trac-
tion levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride. The suggested rotation method is the forward-cross
tire rotation method. This method takes advantage of
current tire industry practice which now allows cross
rotation of radial-ply tires. Refer to the owner's man-
ual (usually found in the glove box) for additional in-
formation. Other rotation methods may be used, but
may not have all the benefits of the recommended
method. Always check air pressure and wheel nut tightness
after rotation. Do NOT use oil or grease on studs
or nuts. Refer to Owner's Manual for rotation schedule.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators (Fig. 3) are molded into the
bottom of the tread grooves. When tread is 1.6 mm
(1/16 in.), the tread wear indicators will appear as a
13 mm (1/2 in.) band. Tire replacement is necessary when indicators ap-
pear in two or more grooves, or if localized balding
occurs.
REPAIRING LEAKS
For proper repairing, a radial tire must be removed
from the wheel. Repairs should only be made if the
defect or puncture is in the tread area otherwise the
tire should be replaced. Deflate tire completely before dismounting tire
from the wheel. Use lubrication such as a mild soap
solution when dismounting or mounting tire. Use
tools free of burrs or sharp edges which could dam-
age the tire or wheel rim. Before mounting tire on wheel, make sure all rust
scale is removed from the rim and repaint if neces-
sary. Install wheels on vehicle, progressively tightening
wheel nuts to 129 N Im (95 ft. lbs.) torque (See
Wheels).
TIRE NOISE OR VIBRATION
Radial-ply tires are sensitive to force impulses
caused by improper mounting, wheel irregularities,
or imbalance. To determine if the tires are causing the noise or
vibration, drive the vehicle over a smooth portion of
highway at different speeds and note the effect of ac-
celeration and deceleration on noise level. Differen-
tial and exhaust noise will change in intensity as
speed varies, while tire noise will usually remain
constant.
TIRE WEAR PATTERNS
Under inflation results in faster wear on shoulders
of tire. Over inflation causes faster wear at center of tread.
Excessive camber causes the tire to run at an angle
to the road. One side of tread is worn more than the
other. Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the
tread edges of the tire, from dragging of tire. There
is a feathered effect across the tread (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 Tread Wear Indicators
Ä WHEELSÐTIRES 22 - 3

WHEELS SERVICE PROCEDURES INDEX
page page
General Information ........................ 6
Tire and Wheel Balance .................... 6
Tire and Wheel Run Out .................... 7 Wheel Installation
......................... 6
Wheel Replacement ....................... 6
GENERAL INFORMATION
Original equipment wheels are designed for proper
operation at all loads up to the maximum vehicle ca-
pacity. All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center
wheels. The safety rim wheel (Fig. 1) has raised sec-
tions between the rim flanges and the rim well A.
Initial inflation of the tires forces the bead over
these raised sections. In case of tire failure the raised
sections help hold the tire in position on the wheel
until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop. Cast aluminum wheels require special balance
weights and alignment equipment.
WHEEL INSTALLATION
The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific
applications and must be replaced with equivalent
parts. Do not use replacement parts of lessor quality
or a substitute design. All aluminum and some steel
wheels have wheel stud nuts which feature an en-
larged nose. This enlarged nose is necessary to en-
sure proper retention of the aluminum wheels. Before installing the wheel, be sure to remove any
build up of corrosion on the wheel mounting surfaces
with scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels
without good metal-to-metal contact could cause later
loosening of wheel nuts. This could adversely affect
the safety and handling of your vehicle. To install the wheel, position it properly on the
mounting surface using the hub pilot as a guide. All wheel nuts should be lightly tightened before progres-
sively tightening them in sequence (Fig. 2). Tighten
wheel nuts to 129 N Im (95 ft. lbs.). Never use oil or
grease on studs or nuts.
WHEEL REPLACEMENT
Wheels must be replaced if they:
² have excessive run out
² are bent or dented
² leak air through welds
² have damaged bolt holes
Wheel repairs employing hammering, heating, or
welding are not allowed. Original equipment replacement wheels are avail-
able through your dealer. When obtaining wheels from
any other source, the replacement wheels should be
equivalent in load carrying capacity. The wheel dimen-
sions (diameter, width, offset, and mounting configura-
tion) must match original equipment wheels. Failure to
use equivalent replacement wheels may adversely af-
fect the safety and handling of your vehicle. Replace-
ment with used wheels is not recommended as
their service history may have included severe
treatment or very high mileage and they could
fail without warning.
TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE
Balancing need is indicated by vibration of seats,
floor pan, or steering wheel when driving over 90 km/h
(55 mph) on a smooth road.
Fig. 1 Safety Rim
Fig. 2 Tightening Wheel Nuts (5-Stud)
22 - 6 WHEELSÐTIRES Ä

It is recommended that a two plane dynamic bal-
ancing machine be used when a wheel and tire as-
sembly require balancing. Static balancing should be
used only when a two plane dynamic balancing is not
available. For static imbalance, find location of heavy spot
causing imbalance and counterbalance 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. Then place
the other half on the outer rim flange (Fig. 3). Off-
vehicle balancing is preferred.
TIRE AND WHEEL RUN OUT
Radial run out is the difference between the high
and low points on the tire or wheel periphery. Lateral run out is the wobble of the tire or wheel.
Radial run out of more than 1.5 mm (.060 inch)
measured at the center line of the tread may cause
the vehicle to shake. Lateral run out of more than 2.0 mm (.080 inch)
measured near the shoulder of the tire may cause the
vehicle to shake. Sometimes radial run out can be reduced by relo-
cating the wheel and tire assembly on the mounting
studs (See Method 1). If this does not reduce run out
to an acceptable level, the tire can be rotated on the
wheel. (See Method 2).
METHOD 1 (RELOCATE WHEEL ON HUB)
Check accuracy of the wheel mounting surface;ad-
just wheel bearings. Drive vehicle a short distance to eliminate tire flat
spotting from a parked position. Make sure all wheel nuts are properly torqued
(Fig. 2). Use run out gauge D-128-TR to determine run out
(Fig. 4).
Relocate wheel on the mounting, two studs over
from the original position. Retighten wheel nuts (Fig. 2) until all are properly
torqued, to eliminate brake distortion. Check radial run out. If still excessive, mark tire
sidewall, wheel, and stud at point of maximum run
out (Fig. 5), and proceed to Method #2.
METHOD 2 (RELOCATE TIRE ON WHEEL)
Rotating tire on wheel is particularly effective
when there is run out in both tire and wheel. Remove tire from wheel and remount wheel on hub
in former position. Check wheel radial run out (Fig. 6). It should be no
more than 0.9 mm (.035 inch). Lateral run out (Fig. 6) should be no more than 1.1
mm (.045 inch). If point of greatest wheel radial run out is near
original chalk mark, remount tire 180 degrees from
its original position. Recheck run out.
Fig. 3 Counterbalancing
Fig. 4 Run out Gauge D-128-TR
Fig. 5 Chalk Marking on Wheel, Tire, and Stud
Ä WHEELSÐTIRES 22 - 7