maintenance
Tire Balance
for 2014 Ram 2500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD
Difficulty
Easy
Time
48 min
Tools
10
Steps
11
Balance all four tires on the 2014 Ram 2500 to eliminate vibrations and ensure even tire wear by mounting wheels on a balancing machine and applying correction weights.
Warnings
⚠Ensure vehicle is securely supported on jack stands before removing all wheels. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
⚠Ram 2500 wheels and tires are heavy (60-80 lbs each). Use proper lifting technique to prevent injury.
ℹ️Wheel lug nuts must be torqued in a star pattern to 140 Nm to prevent rotor warping and wheel damage.
Tools required
Wheel balancer machineEssential
Torque wrench (capable of 140 Nm)Essential
Impact wrench or breaker bar
Floor jackEssential
Jack stands (4)Essential
Wheel chocksEssential
Wheel weight hammerEssential
Wire brush
Valve core tool
Tire pressure gaugeEssential
Parts
- Clip-on wheel weights (assorted) × 1 — Use appropriate weight sizes
- Adhesive wheel weights (assorted) × 1 — Use appropriate weight sizes for aluminum wheels
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
- Chock rear wheels if lifting front, or front wheels if lifting rear
- Loosen all wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn before lifting vehicle
- Lift vehicle using floor jack at manufacturer-specified jack points
- Support vehicle with jack stands rated for at least 3 tons per stand
- Mark each wheel position (LF, RF, LR, RR) with chalk or tape before removal to maintain rotation pattern if needed
Procedure
- 1Remove first wheel assemblyRemove all lug nuts completely and pull wheel straight off hub. Place wheel on clean surface. Note any existing wheel weights and their locations for reference.
- 2Clean wheel rimUse wire brush to clean both inner and outer wheel rim flanges where balance weights will be applied. Remove any old adhesive residue, dirt, or corrosion. Clean surfaces ensure proper weight adhesion and accurate balancing.
- 3Mount wheel on balancerMount the wheel assembly onto the balancing machine using the appropriate cone and adapters for the center bore. Ensure wheel is centered properly and thread the lock nut securely. Select the correct wheel diameter, width, and offset measurements on the balancer according to your specific wheel specifications (2014 Ram 2500 typically uses 17 or 18-inch wheels).
- 4Perform initial balance measurementLower the balancer hood and initiate a spin cycle. Allow the machine to complete its measurement. The balancer will indicate the location and amount of weight needed on both the inner and outer rim flanges, typically displayed in ounces or grams.
- 5Apply correction weights to inner rimRotate the wheel to the position indicated by the balancer for the inner weight placement (usually at 12 o'clock when machine stops). Apply the specified weight amount using either clip-on weights for steel wheels or adhesive weights for aluminum wheels. For clip-on weights, hammer gently onto the rim flange until secure. For adhesive weights, press firmly for 5 seconds to ensure proper bonding.
- 6Apply correction weights to outer rimRotate wheel to the outer weight position indicated by the balancer. Apply the specified weight using the same method as the inner weight. Ensure weights are positioned at the correct clock position and are firmly attached.
- 7Verify balanceSpin the wheel again on the balancer to verify balance. The machine should indicate zero or near-zero imbalance (typically within 0.25 oz). If still out of balance, add or remove small weights as indicated. Repeat verification spin until acceptable balance is achieved.
- 8Remove wheel from balancer and reinstallRemove the balanced wheel from the balancing machine. Check tire pressure and adjust to specification (typically 60-65 PSI front, 70-80 PSI rear for 2500, but verify on door placard). Lift wheel onto hub, aligning holes with studs. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
- 9Torque lug nutsUsing a torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Start with the top lug nut, then move to the bottom, then alternate around in a star pattern. Make multiple passes, gradually increasing torque: first pass to 50%, second pass to 75%, final pass to full 140 Nm. This ensures even clamping force and prevents rotor warping.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
- 10Repeat for remaining wheelsRepeat steps 1-9 for each of the remaining three wheels. Maintain organization by completing one wheel fully before moving to the next. Reinstall each wheel to its original marked position unless performing a tire rotation.
- 11Lower vehicle and final torque checkOnce all wheels are installed, carefully remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to the ground. With full vehicle weight on wheels, perform a final torque check on all lug nuts in star pattern to confirm 140 Nm torque specification. This final check accounts for any settling that occurs when weight is applied.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Verify all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm in a star pattern on all four wheels
- Double-check that no tools or equipment are left under the vehicle
- Remove wheel chocks
Verification
- Test drive vehicle at various speeds (25-65 mph) to verify vibration has been eliminated
- Check for any unusual noises from wheels during test drive
- Verify steering wheel remains centered and vehicle tracks straight
- Re-check lug nut torque after first 50-100 miles of driving
- Inspect all wheel weights to ensure they remain properly attached after test drive