Tire Balance

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

Tools required

Parts

• Clip-on wheel weights (assorted) × 1 — Use appropriate weight sizes
• Adhesive wheel weights (assorted) × 1 — Use appropriate weight sizes for aluminum wheels

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels if lifting front, or front wheels if lifting rear
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn before lifting vehicle
4. Lift vehicle using floor jack at manufacturer-specified jack points
5. Support vehicle with jack stands rated for at least 3 tons per stand
6. Mark each wheel position (LF, RF, LR, RR) with chalk or tape before removal to maintain rotation pattern if needed

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove first wheel assembly
   Remove 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.
2. 2

   Clean wheel rim
   Use 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.
3. 3

   Mount wheel on balancer
   Mount 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).
4. 4

   Perform initial balance measurement
   Lower 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.
5. 5

   Apply correction weights to inner rim
   Rotate 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.
6. 6

   Apply correction weights to outer rim
   Rotate 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.
7. 7

   Verify balance
   Spin 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.
8. 8

   Remove wheel from balancer and reinstall
   Remove 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.
9. 9

   Torque lug nuts
   Using 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 spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for remaining wheels
    Repeat 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.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and final torque check
    Once 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 spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm in a star pattern on all four wheels
2. Double-check that no tools or equipment are left under the vehicle
3. 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

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle