Vibration Diagnostics
At 100 km/h, an average tyre rotates about 850 times per minute. Even minor variations in wheel balance, sidewall stiffness, or tyre roundness can result in physical impacts against the road surface up to 14 times per second. This makes modern high-performance vehicles and SUVs with large tyres especially sensitive to wheel, tyre, and road feedback, often resulting in uncomfortable vibrations and poor ride quality. Left unaddressed, such vibrations can accelerate tyre wear and damage suspension and steering components.
Causes of Vehicle Vibration
Vehicle vibration may be due to:
- Out-of-balance wheels
- Force variation (stiffer areas in the tyre)
- Lateral and radial runout (low or high points in the tyre)
- Incorrect tyre pressure
- Misalignment
- Damaged steering and suspension components
- Wheel to axle or hub mounting errors
- Mounting errors
- Worn or failing brake and drivetrain components
Minor manufacturing inconsistencies in weight, stiffness, and balance—though carefully controlled—can cause vibration issues. In such cases, advanced techniques like match mounting and road force balancing are necessary. These require specialized equipment, such as the Hunter GSP9700 Vibration Control System we use, which accurately measures radial and lateral forces in tyres and addresses issues that standard balancing cannot detect. This advanced balancer, paired with the CenTor balancing plate that replicates the wheel’s bolt pattern, ensures the wheel is balanced as it would be on the vehicle, eliminating inconsistencies between shop and road conditions.
When Diagnostic Balancing Is Advisable
Consider diagnostic balancing if:
- You need premium ride quality on a high-performance or low-profile tyre
- Large 4x4 tyres require optimization for ‘force variation’
- Persistent vibration remains unresolved after multiple balancing attempts
Diagnostic balancing is a premium, time-intensive service. We provide a no-cost assessment to determine if your vehicle would benefit from this service, so you can make an informed decision.