Tire Mount and Balance

Remove all four wheels from the vehicle, dismount the existing tires from the wheels, mount new or repaired tires, balance each wheel/tire assembly, and reinstall on the vehicle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tires (quantity as needed) × 4 — Match OEM size specifications
• Valve stems × 4 — Standard rubber or TPMS-compatible metal valve stems
• Wheel weights (adhesive or clip-on) × 1 — As required for balancing

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, firm surface and apply parking brake.
2. If vehicle has been driven, allow wheels and brakes to cool to avoid burns.
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts approximately one turn while vehicle is still on the ground (do not remove).
4. Identify proper jacking points: front jacking pad behind front spoiler centerline, rear jacking point at differential center section.

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise vehicle and remove wheels
   Raise the front of the vehicle using the floor jack at the front jacking point until front wheels are clear of the ground. Position jack stands under the front frame rails. Lower vehicle onto stands. Repeat process for rear of vehicle, using the rear differential center as the jacking point and placing jack stands under rear frame rails. Remove all lug nuts and pull wheels off the hubs. Keep track of which wheel came from which position (front left, front right, rear left, rear right) if reinstalling the same tires.
2. 2

   Deflate tires and break beads
   Remove the valve stem core from each tire using a valve stem tool to fully deflate the tire. Position each wheel on the tire mounting machine and use the bead breaker to break both the inner and outer beads free from the wheel rim. Work around the entire circumference of each bead to ensure complete separation. If TPMS sensors are present, note sensor position (typically opposite the valve stem) and avoid placing bead breaker near sensor.
3. 3

   Dismount old tires
   Secure the wheel on the tire machine turntable. Position the mounting/demounting head to engage the tire bead just inside the rim edge, avoiding contact with the rim finish. Rotate the turntable to walk the upper bead over the rim edge, then repeat for the lower bead. Lift the tire off the wheel. Inspect the wheel for damage, corrosion, or cracks. Clean the wheel bead seating surfaces thoroughly with a wire brush or wheel cleaner to remove old tire residue, corrosion, and debris.
4. 4

   Inspect and replace valve stems
   Inspect existing valve stems and TPMS sensors (if equipped). If valve stems are cracked, aged, or damaged, remove and replace them. For standard rubber valve stems, pull the old stem through the rim from the inside. For TPMS sensors, unscrew the valve stem nut from the sensor body (if replaceable) or replace the entire sensor if the valve stem is integrated. Install new valve stems by pulling them through the rim hole from the inside until seated, or install new TPMS sensors with proper torque per sensor manufacturer specification.
5. 5

   Mount new tires
   Verify correct OEM tire size for each wheel position against the door placard/factory specification (2008 Viper is typically 275/35ZR18 front, 345/30ZR19 rear). Apply tire bead lubricant generously to both beads of the tire and the wheel rim bead seats. Position the tire onto the wheel with the tire marking/DOT code visible from the outboard side. Place the wheel/tire assembly on the tire machine turntable and secure. Use the mounting head to press the lower bead over the rim edge, rotating the turntable to work the bead completely onto the wheel. Repeat for the upper bead. For TPMS-equipped wheels, ensure the mounting head does not contact the sensor during the mounting process.
6. 6

   Inflate and seat tire beads
   Install the valve stem core into each valve stem. Connect an air hose and inflate the tire. The beads should pop into place on the rim with audible snaps as pressure increases. Inflate to approximately 40 psi initially to fully seat both beads, checking that both bead lines are evenly seated around the entire circumference of the wheel on both sides. Once beads are fully seated, adjust pressure to the recommended cold inflation pressure as listed on the vehicle door jamb placard for the 2008 Viper (verify exact front and rear values before setting).
7. 7

   Balance wheels
   Mount the first wheel/tire assembly onto the wheel balancer spindle, ensuring it is centered and secured properly. Enter the wheel diameter, width, and offset measurements into the balancer (front: 18x10, rear: 19x13). Spin the wheel and allow the balancer to determine the amount and location of imbalance. Apply wheel weights as indicated by the balancer: use adhesive weights on the inner barrel for wheels with exposed finishes, or clip-on weights if the wheel design permits. Re-spin to verify balance is within acceptable limits (typically less than 0.25 oz imbalance per wheel). Repeat for all four wheels.
8. 8

   Reinstall wheels on vehicle
   Lift each wheel into position on its respective hub, aligning the wheel bolt holes with the studs. Install the correct wheel at each corner: smaller front wheels (18-inch) on front hubs, larger rear wheels (19-inch) on rear hubs. Thread all lug nuts onto the studs by hand to prevent cross-threading. Using a star pattern, tighten lug nuts in two stages: first snug them evenly, then torque to final specification. Torque the 2008 Viper lug nuts to the factory specification (verify against service documentation; commonly listed around 100-110 lb-ft).
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and final torque
   Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands. Remove all four jack stands. Carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. With the vehicle weight fully on the wheels, perform a final torque check on all lug nuts in a star pattern to 100 lb-ft to ensure proper seating and torque.
10. 10

    Reset TPMS and verify pressures
    If the vehicle is equipped with TPMS, the tire pressure monitoring system may need to be reset or relearned. For the 2008 Viper, the system typically auto-learns after driving. Verify tire pressures with a calibrated tire pressure gauge: 29 psi front, 33 psi rear (cold). If TPMS warning light is illuminated, drive the vehicle for 10-15 minutes at speeds above 15 mph to allow the system to recognize the sensors and extinguish the warning light.

Reassembly

1. Wheel installation is part of the procedure and is completed in steps 8 and 9.
2. Ensure lug nuts are torqued to 100 lb-ft in a star pattern after vehicle is lowered.
3. Verify all valve stem caps are installed to protect valve cores from dirt and moisture.

Verification

• Verify all lug nuts are torqued to 100 lb-ft using a torque wrench after vehicle is on the ground.
• Check tire pressures with a gauge: 29 psi front, 33 psi rear (cold).
• Visually inspect that tire beads are seated evenly on both sides of all four wheels.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed to confirm no vibration or pulling. If vibration is present, re-check wheel balance.
• Confirm TPMS warning light extinguishes after driving if system is equipped (may require up to 15 minutes of driving).
• Verify no air leaks at valve stems by applying soapy water and checking for bubbles.

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