measuring wheel run out

Dave1695 · 02-16-2024, 02:42 PM

I want to check my front wheels for run out perpendicular to the axle. With a dial indicator set against the outer edge of the rim just above the lip, I can turn the wheel by hand to measure run out,but do not know the acceptable plus/minus tolerance I should have. Anyone have experience in this area? These are Weld Draglites 15 X 3.5. Thanks

dragracerray · 02-19-2024, 06:44 AM

Dave,
It is good to check the rim but I would start with the axle. Ideally remove drum or disk. Usually there is a little flange sticking out past the lug studs so that you can make a whole revolution of the axle when measuring runout. Ray

Tom Goldman · 02-19-2024, 11:12 AM

Don't measure off the rolled outer lip , it is not machined true on all wheels. .
Better to measure off the outer bead edge of the wheel .
The wheel bearings should be tightened to remove any play before checking.
On a front wheel anything over .060 -.080" should be looked at .
Rear wheels are another world , deep offsets sometimes see a lot more ,especially the outer bead.
Ps, the tire guys at the track used to call Draglites " weld wobblers"

02-16-2024, 02:42 PM	#1
Dave1695 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Likes: 0 Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts	measuring wheel run out I want to check my front wheels for run out perpendicular to the axle. With a dial indicator set against the outer edge of the rim just above the lip, I can turn the wheel by hand to measure run out,but do not know the acceptable plus/minus tolerance I should have. Anyone have experience in this area? These are Weld Draglites 15 X 3.5. Thanks

02-19-2024, 06:44 AM	#2
dragracerray Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Webster, New York Posts: 218 Likes: 472 Liked 208 Times in 89 Posts	Re: measuring wheel run out Dave, It is good to check the rim but I would start with the axle. Ideally remove drum or disk. Usually there is a little flange sticking out past the lug studs so that you can make a whole revolution of the axle when measuring runout. Ray __________________ Ray Bassett I/SA 1687, SS/DA 1687 "SuperPro is both", unknown

02-19-2024, 11:12 AM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,475 Likes: 887 Liked 865 Times in 235 Posts	Re: measuring wheel run out Don't measure off the rolled outer lip , it is not machined true on all wheels. . Better to measure off the outer bead edge of the wheel . The wheel bearings should be tightened to remove any play before checking. On a front wheel anything over .060 -.080" should be looked at . Rear wheels are another world , deep offsets sometimes see a lot more ,especially the outer bead. Ps, the tire guys at the track used to call Draglites " weld wobblers" __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK