This procedure covers the removal, balancing, and reinstallation of tires on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine to correct wheel vibration and ensure even tire wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Adhesive wheel weights × 1 — Various sizes as needed
• Clip-on wheel weights × 1 — Various sizes as needed

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind wheels that will remain on ground
3. Verify tire balancing machine is properly calibrated
4. Inspect lug nuts for damage or corrosion before removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Loosen wheel lug nuts
   With vehicle still on ground, loosen all lug nuts on all four wheels approximately one full turn using a breaker bar or lug wrench in a star pattern. Do not remove lug nuts completely at this stage.
2. 2

   Lift and support vehicle
   Position hydraulic jack under front jack point behind front bumper on frame rail. Raise front of vehicle until tires clear ground by 3-4 inches. Place jack stands under frame rails at designated lift points. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. Repeat process for rear of vehicle using rear frame jack points.
   ⚠️Verify jack stands are secure and vehicle is stable before proceeding. Shake vehicle gently to confirm stability.
3. 3

   Remove wheels
   Remove lug nuts completely in star pattern and set aside in clean location. Remove all four wheels from vehicle and mark each wheel position (LF, RF, LR, RR) using chalk or tape for proper reinstallation tracking.
4. 4

   Inspect wheels and remove old weights
   Inspect each wheel for damage, cracks, or bends that may prevent proper balancing. Remove all existing wheel weights from both inner and outer rim flanges using wheel weight pliers. Clean adhesive residue and dirt from rim surfaces using wire brush and appropriate cleaner.
5. 5

   Mount first tire on balancing machine
   Mount wheel/tire assembly onto balancing machine spindle. Enter wheel diameter, width, and offset distance from machine head into balancer computer. Lower hood or activate laser measurement if equipped. Ensure tire is properly centered and secured.
6. 6

   Spin and analyze balance
   Initiate spin cycle on balancing machine. Allow machine to complete full analysis cycle. Record imbalance readings for both inner and outer wheel planes. If imbalance exceeds 0.25 oz on either plane, proceed to weight installation.
7. 7

   Install balancing weights
   Rotate wheel to positions indicated by balancing machine. Install clip-on weights at 12 o'clock position on outer rim flange or adhesive weights on inner rim barrel as indicated by machine readings. Ensure weights are firmly seated and properly secured.
8. 8

   Verify balance
   Re-spin wheel on balancing machine to verify balance correction. Imbalance should be less than 0.25 oz on both planes. Adjust weight placement or amount if needed. Repeat process until optimal balance is achieved.
9. 9

   Balance remaining wheels
   Remove balanced wheel from machine. Repeat steps 5 through 8 for each remaining wheel assembly. Keep track of wheel position markings to ensure proper reinstallation.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount each wheel back to its original position on vehicle (or rotate if performing rotation simultaneously). Hand-thread all lug nuts onto studs. Tighten lug nuts in star pattern by hand until wheel is seated flush against hub.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise vehicle slightly with hydraulic jack to unload jack stands. Remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to ground. Torque all lug nuts to specification using star pattern in three progressive passes: 50 lb-ft, 75 lb-ft, then final 103 lb-ft.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all lug nuts are torqued to specification using calibrated torque wrench
2. Verify tire pressures match specification on driver door jamb placard
3. Remove wheel chocks and store all tools properly

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at various speeds (30-70 mph) to verify vibration has been eliminated
• Re-check lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving
• Verify steering wheel remains centered during straight-line driving
• Confirm no unusual tire wear patterns or noise after balancing

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